Vertuous in my behaviour but its heart is the Covetousness that is the Wolfe and devoureth the Labour and Sweat of the Miserable 32. It lifteth it self up above all it * Or studieth searcheth and diveth daily into the Wonders of God contriving how is might †Seem Wise Vnderstanding and Holy flatter and play the Hypocrite It sheweth it self Friendly Courteous and Modest as if it were a Virgin full of Modesty and Chastity and yet is a perfidious Whore and hateth in the heart all * Honesty Modesty Vertue Chastity and Righteousnesse 33. It is a continuall Enemy of Love and Humility whatsoever is simple and plain it disesteemeth or despiseth that and yet compelleth the Simple under its yoak It saith to the upright honest Man thou art My Dog I will hunt thee whither I list 34. Thou art Silly and Foolish I am Wise Prudent and Politick and is it self the Greatest Fool of all it fools and jests away God and the Kingdome of Heaven for a little whiles Lust of the Eye It plungeth it self into Darkness and putteth on the Mantle of †Cumbering cares and irksomenesse Anguish 35. The Second Power or Vertue of this King Falshood is Covetousnesse that draweth all into it self and darkeneth Prides Glistering Garment it forceth Evill and Good one among another to it and conâ—tantly filleth Pride or State full 36. And when it hath filled that then it taketh its Sonne Envy and vexeth and tormenteth Pride therewith so that it hath no rest or quietness in its Glance or Lustre Envy Stingeth in the desirous Covetousness as if it were Mad and Senseless It tormenteth and plagueth the Pride Day and Night that it is never at Rest 37. The Covetousness is the right filthy durty swinish Beast it desireth more then it may or Can devoure its Jawes stand open day and night it suffereth not Man to Rest and plagueth him alwayes in its sordid basenesse so that man hunteth after Earth and after those things which the Earth affordeth without any Mans Covetousnesse there belongeth only Labour to it and no Covetousnesse 38. Covetousnesse Plagueth it self and is its own Enemy for it filleth it Self with woe and disquietnesse and darkeneth and obscureth Mans understanding that he cannot apprehend that All cometh from the Divine hand it maketh Mans Light of Life dark it consumeth the Body and bereaveth it of divine Sense Perception and Glory 39. It casteth it into the Grave of Death and bringeth it into the Temporall and Eternall Death it attracteth dark Substance or Matter into Mans Noble Image and Maketh of an Angell a fierce wrathfull Devill It Createth or awaketh the Turba over Soul and Body and is the abominablest and ugliest Beast in the Abysse of Hell for it is the Cause of the Source or Quality and Pain or Torment without it might no Source or Torment Exist 40. It maketh Warre and Strife for it never letteth it self have enough or never is satisfied If it had the whole World yet it would fain also have the Abysse for there is no place * Born Prepared or Created generated for its Rest 41. It buildeth Countries and Kingdomes and breaketh them also againe and driveth Man into meere wearinesse toyle and unquietnesse it is exactly the Devils Heart and Will for Pride is the fine brave Spirit which sprouteth out from Covetousnesse 42. It is the fair brave Childe that there should possesse Heaven but Covetousness hath made it a Bastard and hath introduced it into †Rev. 17.5 Babell into the Mother of the great Whoredome upon Earth There Pride alwayes playeth the Whore with Covetousnesse and is but a Bastard in the presence of God 43. It cannot possesse the Kingdome of Heaven it maketh or hath its Kingdome of Heaven upon Earth it lyeth in Whoredome with the King Falshood which taketh all its Labour and giveth it to the Four Elements of the Devill in the Dark-world and thither must also Pride together with Covetousnesse follow after when the Anguish breaketh the Covetous Sack 44. It is indeed so very Religious Pious and Sincere and yet taketh its Covetousness with it into the Abysse that yet the Pride may have its Joy therein 45. As a Fool in his Fools Coat which toyleth and vexeth himself that he might bring forth Folly and please his Spectators in that he is so senslesse a Fool In like manner also Pride and Covetousnesse is Gods Foole and the Devills Jugler who hath his Joy therein that he can make of Gods Image a Fooles Image 46. The Third Power or Vertue is Envy in the Four Elements of the Devill in the Kingdome of Falshood that is a Sting it rageth and raveth as an Evill Poyson it Can remain no where and hath no place of its Rest 47. It s Mother the Covetousnesse letteth it have no Rest it must continually rage and rave it must enter into that in which it was not generated it is the Mouth of Covetousnesse a constant Lyar and Defamer and Disgracer of others it stingeth into its Neighbours Heart and woundeth it 48. It devoureth it self for very poysonous hunger and yet never hath enough it maketh disquietnesse without limit or Measure it is the greatest Poyson and the Eye of Hell the Devill seeth Man therewith into Soul and Body Nothing is like to it 49. It is no Fire but the sting of the Fire it is the Author of all Evill or mischief and yet findeth no Rest the more it driveth on the more senslesse and mad it is it is a tainted Poyson it needeth no Substance yet it rageth in the Substance 50. It maketh Man more then senslesly mad so that he desireth to rage and rave against God It is Hells and the Anger 's Essence it maketh of Love the greatest Enmity it affordeth Nothing to any and yet is it self a famished Nothing 51. This is the Devils Will-Spirit that Man which taketh it into his Lodging he taketh in the Devill together with Gods Anger for it bringeth the hellish Torment and Woe it is the Eternall Enimicitious Plague and disquietnesse and destroyeth the Noble Image of God for it is Gods and All Creatures Enemy 52. The Fourth Power or Vertue in the Four Elements in the Kingdome of Falshood of the Devils is the Anger the Malice or Wickedness that is the right hellish Fire the Anger becometh generated between the Covetousness and the Envy 53. It is the Envies Fire and Life That which the Envy cannot bring to passe that the Anger bringeth to passe The Anger taketh Body and Soul together and runneth as a raging Devill will murther and break or destroy all 54. It runneth against Walls and Forts And though perhaps it bursteth it self yet it is so raging like a Mad Dog who bites worries and killeth all it is so poysonous venomous and spitefull in its anger that what it cannot overpower yet it poysoneth venometh or spiteth 55. This is the Right * Podâ—gra Gout of the World when
for ITS Food And where then remaineth my Lust and Pleasure of Earthly things which I exercise here in the World If all will become a reproach to me why doe I lift up my self in Temporall LUST seeing it cannot release me from the Reproach Wherefore doth my Soul vex it self and is in anguish and panteth after ITS Enemy which leadeth it to the Dark night 157. O GOD teach me I pray thee to apprehend this that I may turn my Heart from the Toylsomeness of the Works of this World to THEE and not hold Death to be my Life so that I may Live in Continuall Repentance and that my Mind may throw or demerse it self to or into THEE and may work with Thee so that also my right Flesh created in Adam may be Sanctified and out of the Dust may be brought to the MIND again 158. Release me I pray thee from the Grosse Husk of the Earthly Flesh whereinto the Devill hath brought his Poyson which is of no profit in thy Kingdome John 6. and generate in me again the heavenly Spirituall Body wherein is the Immortality and wherein no evill or false or wicked LUST may exist any more and let me in CHRIST JESU Rest in thee till the Glorious Coming again and Revelation or Manifestation of thy Glory AMEN A Prayer when Man in the Evening ceaseth from his Work and would goe to Sleep 159. O GOD thou Father of ALL GOOD I thank thee through JESUS CHRIST thy Dear Sonne our LORD and Saviour For all thy Benefits that thou hast graciously protected me this day from all evill and hurt and now I commend to thee my Work into thy disposing and fly with my Mind to thee and give my self up wholly and altogether into thy Holy working 160. Work thou I pray thee now this Night and alwaies with thy Grace-power in me and break in me the vain desire of false or evill working wherein thy Curse and fierce Wrath in my Flesh desireth to co-work as also the Devils introduced Lust which stirreth up my whole Mind to Lust of vanity Destroy THESE O Dear God! with thy Power and kindle up in me the Fire of thy pure Love and overthrow the false wicked LUST of Impurity and Vncleanness 161. Withstand thou all evill Influences of the Constellations or Astrum and the Kindled Elements and let me rest in thy Power that my Mind may NOT be introduced into false or wicked Desires and Inclinations 162. O GREAT Holy God into thy Grace and Mercifulness I plunge my self wholly and altogether I pray thee let thy Good Angel be with me that he may keep off the fierie Streames or Darts of wickednesse that I may rest securely in thy Power through JESUS CHRIST our LORD Amen A Prayer when we undresse and lie down to Rest 163. O MERCIFULL GOD I pray thee doe thou in me draw or pull off the false or wicked Garment of the Serpent which my Father Adam and my Mother Eve have drawn on to me through their false Lust Wherein my poor Soul is cloathed with thy Anger and standeth in shame before thy holy Angels 164. I pray thee strip thou my Mind and Soul Naked that my Mind may become undressed from such a Garment and may stand clearly before thy Countenance but I pray thee yet cloath thou it with thy Power and with the Garment of the humanity of JESUS CHRIST that it may converse again with the Holy Angels before THEE 165. O Dear Lord JESUS CHRIST I give up my Soul and Mind altogether barely and Nakedly to Thee draw thou off from me the impure Garment Wherein I stand in Great Shame before Gods Holiness But I pray thee cloath thou me with thy Victory and set me before thy Father again as a New born Child which thou hast washed in thy Bloud and whose evill Will THOU hast put to death in thy Death and in thy Resurrection hast new regenerated 166. And kindle in this New Birth thy Light that I may walk in the Light and be and Continue a Branch in thee AMEN A Thanksgiving of the Repentant Soul for the bitter Passion and Dying of JESUS CHRIST 167. O Most deep LOVE of God in CHRIST JESU I give thee Praise and Thanks that thou hast delivered me out of the Fire Source or Quality of Torment or painfulness and hast given thy self with thy Love and Grace into my Fire-Source or Quality and changeâ— me into a Love-fire and divine Light 168. Thou hast put thy Power and Might into my Essence in Body and Soul and given thy self to me for my own Yea thou hast purchased my self with thy Grace through the Treasure of thy most pretious Bloud for thy own for which I thank thee in Eternity 169. And I pray thee thou Eternall shed-forth LOVE In the Most Holy Name JESUS bring me I pray thee when I shall have dyed away here from the Temporall Death again into My first Native Country in which my Father Adam in his Innocency dwelt even in to PARADISE and bury my Body and Soul in the divine Rest 170. In the mean while Grant that I may daily enter into Repentance and into the going out from my Earthly Will and also continue so stedfastly the whole time of my Life THEREIN and that I may bear much Good fruit in THAT Condition Till thou introducest me into the Rest in my right Native Country in the true Land of Promise wherein the Milk and Honey of the divine Power floweth AMEN Here End the Authours Meditations and Prayers for Munday Ten Commandements for TUESDAY A Prayer Concerning Gods Righteousness also his strong or Severe Commandement and Law what God requires of us and how the same may become fulfilled Deduced from and Through the Ten Commandements And Creed or Faith and set forth Confession and Prayer-wise An Earnest Looking-Glasse well to be Considered The First Commandement God said upon Mount Sinai to Israel I am the Lord thy God c. thou shalt have no other Gods besides me Exod. 1.2 Deut. 5.6 7. Also Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God from thy whole Heart from thy whole Soul and from thy whole Mind Deut. 6.5 Math. 22.37 The Confession 171. O Great HOLY GOD thou hast Made Man out of the Limus or Extract of the Earth wherein Paradise sprung forth viz thy Holy Power a Glorious powerfull and fair bright Body without distemper and without fragility a Likeness or Equality of the Elements 172. And hast in-breathed into him out of thy Power the Inward Psychicall or Soulish and outward Elementary Life from the power of thy inward divine Working and Knowledge or Skill viz the Great Name of * Germanice GOTTES GOD and hast given him a Will of his own that he may be an Image according to thy Wonder-deed Might and Glory and rule over all thy Creatures of this World also thou hast given him the outward Life of all Operation or Working with the Inward Soulish Life through which thou rulest the
is the property of that Thing capable of the same property in the Life 8. The Lifes property catcheth or receiveth the property of the Thing Represented be it either a Word or a Work and kindleth it self therewith in it self And also the other formes of the Life therewith so that they begin to qualifie or operate and every property burneth in its source or quality to Love or Anger all according to the Represented Substance whatsoever the Imagination caught or captivated that it introduceth into the Mind 9. Now therefore if the Mind thus kindleth it self in a Form or Conditon so it kindleth the whole Spirit and Body and bringeth instantly its Imagination into the innermost Fire of the Soul and awakeneth the Innermost Center of Nature 10. Which if it becometh Kindled in the fierce Wrath or Love then 〈◊〉 â—â—eiveth or Comprehendeth it self in all the seven Formes of Nature 〈◊〉 catch and grasp after the Souls willing-Spirit wherein the Noble Image standeth wherein God openeth himself 11. And so they bring their kindled Fire thereinto as in Fire is to be seen in what Matter soever the same burneth such a shining Lustre also it giveth forth as in flaming Brimstone is to be apprehended compared with the flaming wood and so in many other things Thus we understand by this that as the source quality and property is which the Fire getteth such also in the Light and the power of the Light 12. Since then our Noble Image of God standeth in the Light of Life in the Souls fire Therefore it is highly apprehensible to us how the Souls Will Spirit destroyeth the Noble Image and becometh kindled in the fâ—â—â—e wrathfull source or quality also often in the Love source or quality 13. We see also herein our great danger and Misery and doe underderstand wherefore Christ hath taught us Patience Love and Meekness viz that the Souls fire kindle not it self in fierce wrath nor give others cause that they kindle their Souls fire in fierce wrath that Gods Kingdome be not hindered 14. And herein we apprehend our hard and heavy Fall in that Adam hath introduced Earthly Matter into our Souls fire which burneth so often as but one source or quality in the Center becometh awakened in the fierce wrathfull property 15. And so we see how thus we lye in Gods fierce wrath between Anger and Love captive in great Danger And offer this highly to be apprehended 16. Ye know how we have mentioned above and often in all our Books how out of the fire the Light goeth viz another Principle and yet it hath the fires property and power for the fires Center giveth it to the Lights Center 17. And how the Light is also desirous and hath a Matrix of a Shining or Longing Seeking which impregnateth it self in the desiring with the power of the Light viz with the Meekness of the Light in this impregnation standeth the Substance of the Light that is in the pure Love of the divine Substance 18. Also it is intimated how the Fire draweth that Substance into it self and useth it to its Lights Essence devoureth it into it self but giveth forth out of the Essence another Spirit which is not Fire For the Fire giveth forth out of the Essence another Spirit which is not Fire For the Fire giveth forth two Spirits 1. One fierce wrathfull consuming out of the fierce wrath viz of the Fires Matters property 2. One Air-Spirit which is of the Lights Meeknesses property 19. And we are to ponder in what matter the first Essence burneth In what it hath kindled it self in Love or Evill and Malice that is in the Earthly or Divine desire And * Note such a fire it is it giveth also such a †Love-fire Light Fire out of it self and also such a Spirit out of the Light 〈◊〉 20. Now if the first Fires Matter be good wherein the Fire burneâ—â— then hath the second Light Fire also a good property favour and soâ—â—â—â— or quality and giveth forth also a good powerfull lovely amiable Light and out of the Lights Center a Good powerfull Spirit this is the Similitude of God The Noble Image 21. But if the first Fire in its Essence be Evill and burneth in an Evill Matter then also is the Lifes Light a false source or quality and a dimme dusky shining as is to be seen in a brimstone Light and that same desirous Center of the Light also bringeth forth out of its property such a Matter into its Fire and that Fire giveth also forth such a Spirit out of it self 22. And now it is apprehensible what Spirit may attain the Liberty of God or not for whatsoever Soules-Spirit or Image hath the dimme dusky dark property in it self that cannot be capable of the Clear Light of * Or the Spirit God Also if it hath the fierce wrathfull property in it self it cannot unite it self with the Meekness of God and with its qualifying or Operating 23. For the fierce wrath is Enmity against the Love and Meekness Love letteth not the fierce wrath into it self and so now they are seperated the Love thrusteth the fierce wrath away from it self And that desireth no more the Love property 24. For as soon as the Fire giveth forth the Spirit out of it self then it is perfect and severeth it self in its own property whether it be a Light-Spirit or a dark fierce wrathfull Brimstone Spirit in that same Essence from whence it is gone forth it desireth to be again for it is its property whether it be in Love or Enmity to the Love 25. Thus now we understand what Spirit or Soul liveth in the source or quality of Enmity and how the Enmity originateth or raiseth up it self so that a Life is at Enmity with it self viz out of the fâ—st Matter to the Lifes Light 26. The cause standeth in the Wheel of Nature in the Seven Spirits or Forms which have each of them its property and in which property soever the Mind becometh kindled such a property the Souls Fire together with the willing Spirit getteth which then also suddenly laboureth after Substance and doing how it may fall to work upon that which the will Spirit is impregnated with 27. Now it is therefore necessary to break the * Or first Earthly willings power and to slay the Old Evill Adam and bring his will Spirit with compulsion authority or power out of the Evill or wickednesse For here in this Time it may be done while the Third Principle together with thâ— Water which giveth Meeknesse cleaveth to the Center of the Inward World or Nature and as it were holdeth it captive in its source or quality 28. But when the Souls Will-Spirit viz the Inward Lights Center brâ—â—keth off from the outward and continueth alone then the Souls Spirit continueth in its property 29. For there is little Remedy imlesse the Will-Spirit have in the time of the outward Life turned it self about into Gods Love
Image viz the Tree of the Divine Sprout or Vegetation which becometh Generated out of the Soules-Fire and groweth forth through the fierce wrathfull Death into the Liberty viz into the Light-world holdeth in it the Light-world 42. And the Body which in the Beginning was created out of the Mixed Substance which came to be in the Creation out of the Light-Dark-and Fire-world * Or containeth Holdeth in it the outward World viz the Mixed Principle 43. The right Soul is the Spirit of these Three Worlds as Gods Spirit is the Spirit of these Three Worlds in the Dark-world it is fierce wrathfull stern and an Earnest Severe Source or property and is called Gods Anger 44. In the Light-world it is lovely meek and richly Joyous it is the Spirit out of Gods Heart viz the Holy Spirit 45. And in the outward World it is the Spirit of the Aire as also of the Fire and of the Water it letteth it self be used as Man will all to or for the Great Wonders 46. Thus is man as to the Person the Great Mysterie of the Three Worlds into which he entereth in that he worketh fruit and the same is Lord in Him and the same World becometh Manifest in him 47. The other Two continue hidden as the Fire lyeth hidden in the Wood so the Light or the Light world continueth hidden in the fierce wrathfull Dark world as also in the Malignity viz in the Seeking Malady of the Inward World in the Outward 48. But if the Light-world in Man may not be manifested so that it become Lord then the Soul continueth in the breaking or Corruption of outward World meerly in the Dark-world for there it can no more be that the Light-world should be kindled there is no Looking-Glasse more to or for the Light therein that could stand presented to the Soul 49. †NOTE The Heart of God is not manifested therein also Eternally cannot be for the Dark-world must be else the Light would not be manifested but here in this * Or Time World it may be 50. If a Soul as it were be plunged or drowned in the deepest Abysse and sticketh in the fierce Wrath of God yet there standeth presented to it in the outward Light of the Sun the Lights Looking Glasse wherein the divine Power manifesteth it self as also the Looking-Glasse of the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ which in the inward Dark-world is not known in Eternity 51. Our totall teaching or Doctrine is how man should kindle the Light-world in him When this becometh kindled so that Gods Light Shineth in the Soul-Spirit then the whole Body hath Light as Christ saith * Matth. 6.22 Luke 11.34 If the Eye be Light then is the whole Body Light He understandeth the Souls Eye 52. If the fierce wrath of the Dark-world be kindled then is the Body and Soul dark and hath only a Glimpse or Glance from the Sun 53. If the divine Light be kindled then it burneth in Love and Meeknesse 54. If the fierce wrath of the Dark-world be kindled then it burneth in Stinging Biting Envy and hatred in fierce wrathfull Anger and flyeth out in the outward Looking-Glasse of the Sun 's Light into Pride and State and will alwayes goe above the Source or Quality of Love and there followeth Scorn and despising of the Meekness also of all whatsoever is Lovely 55. †Note Here should Man prove himself and trie what World is Lord in him If he findeth that Anger fierce Wrath Envy Falshood Lying and Deceit is his desire and also Pride State Covetousness and continuall greedinesse of Honour and outward Pleasure and Voluptuousness so that it is only a constant seeking after Wantonnesse and Unchastity then may he very easily make Register Accompt and Inventary and certainly know that he with the Anger fierce Wrath Envy Lying and Deceit burneth in the Dark viz in the Dark-worlds Fire 56. For that very Fire giveth such Essence desire and willing and the other desire viz outward Pleasure and Voluptuousness Pride State seeking of Honour Covetousness and Continuall Wantonness beastiall Desire and Unchastity is the Fruit which groweth out of the Dark-world into the outward World As the Love groweth out of the Death that is where the Will-Spirit giveth it self up into Gods Fire and sinketh as it were down into Death but springeth forth into Gods Kingdome with a friendly desire alwayes to do well 57. So hath the Will of Malice Malignity or Wickednesse given it self up into Perdition viz into the fierce wrathfull Strong or Stern Eternall Death but springeth forth in this perished or corrupt World into the outward Nature with its Twigs or Branches and beareth such Fruit by which every one should learn to know himself 58. He need only to search after his own property to what his Will constantly driveth in that Kingdome he standeth and is not a Man as he holdeth and giveth forth himself to be but a Creature of the Dark-world viz a Covetous Dog a proud stately Bird an unchast Beast a â—â—erce wrathfull Serpent an Envious Toad full of Poyson and venome all these properties flow up in him and are his Wood or Fewell out of which his Fire burneth 59. And now when his outward Wood or Fewell viz the Substance of the four Elements is left in its dying Then the inward poysonous evill source or quality alone continueth 60. And what kind of Figure now should stand in such a property No other then such as hath been the strongest amongst these properties that becometh figured from the Hellish Fiat in its Form viz a poysonous Serpent Dog or the like or some other Beast Into which property soever the Will-Spirit hath given up it self that very property is hereafter the Souls Image and this is as to one part 61. * Note Further Man should prove or trie himself in his desire for every Man hath these Evill Properties in him whether he find a constant desire in him to mortifie this Poyson and Malignity Whether he be Enemy to this or whether he have his joy in this continually to bring this false Poyson into work viz in Pride or State Covetousness Envy and Unchastity in Lying and Deceit 62. Now if he findeth in himself that he hath his Joy therein and would fain continually bring it to Effect Then he is no Man as he accounteth himself to be but the Devill in a strange Form deceiveth him so that he supposeth he is a Man but he beareth not Gods but the Serpents Image and is only in the outward Kingdome a Similitude of a Mans Image so long as he continueth in this Property that this property is Supreme Lord. 63. But when he findeth the strife in himself so that his most inward Will continually yea hourly striveth against these Evill Properties dampeth them and letteth them not come to †Substance so that he would continually doe well but findeth that these Evill properties hinder him that he cannot at
very part is God become Man that very part hath the * Covenant Ground of the Angelicall World for it hath its Originall out of the Angelicall World 16. But if as Many times wicked Parents wholly steep demerse and plunge themselves into the Anger of God and so beget Children Then indeed is their Seed shut up in Death and hath nothing of a right humane Essence in them which moveth it self but only that which the Constellation in the Spirit of the Great World Majoris Mundi hath in it self 17. †NOTE And there indeed is the divine Power somewhat stirring but the Anger 's power is Set in Opposition and it is very hard yet it is very possible for Gods becoming Man or Incarnation is set and presented to ALL Souls in the Lifes Light 18. But the Baptisme containeth somewhat Else Gods Essence viz the Water ef Eternall Life generated out of Gods Meekness must stirre the right humane Essence with Adam shut up or included in Death and must give in it self there as a New Life or a Living Essence Gods Water Must baptise the Holy Ghost must be the Workmaster 19. But I say according to my knowledge that the Water of the Eternall Life upon which the Holy Spirit * Hovereth or Hatcheth moveth is hardly given in to the poyson of the fierce wrath and of Death where there is not an Essence of desire within 20. I say thus that also a Child as soon as it hath the Life in the Mothers body or Womb So farre as the divine Essence which standeth in the heavenly part is stirring is clearly Baptised by the Holy Spirit and reacheth or attaineth the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ 21. For the Baptisme standeth not in the Preachers authority that the Holy Spirit should wait upon him for the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ waiteth not upon Mans authority but upon the Limit or Mark that God stuck or set in his Covenant 22. The Limit or Mark became blessed Therefore †Luke 1.42 said the Angel to Mary Thou art the Blessed among Women the Limit or Mark Stuck in her that became blessed and that blessed her also when Gods Heart made the Limit or Mark come stirring 23. That same Limit or Mark reached back even unto Adam and forward even to the Last Man and when God became Man then became the Limit or Mark in the heavenly Part stirring not in Mary alone but also in Adam and Eve and all their Children which have given themselves up into God they became all Blessed in the Limit or Mark. 24. For that is the Covenant of Grace which God instituted with Adam and Eve that very Covenant stood in all and every humane Essence but not in the Devillish 25. But the Baptisme is the Seal that God hung or annexed to the Covenant as in the Old Testament Circumcision was God giveth in the Baptisme divine Water to the humane for an Earnest or Pledge and Seal 26. But the Covenant is plainly there before the Baptisme it is made in Paradise yea * 1 Pet. 1.20 Eph. 1.4 before the foundation of the World As soon as a Soul in the Mothers body or womb is stirring so that a Principle and a humane Soul is generated or born so instantly it is in the Covenant 27. For Christ hath given himself into Gods Fire into the Principle and fulfilled the Covenant and is become the †Or Pâ—â—â—ne Earnest or Pledge of the Testament 28. That same Pawn or Pledge waiteth upon no outward Ordinance or upon the outward Mans conceit but as soon as a Soul is generated or born out of the Principle it is in the Prey of the Testament so farre as the divine Life in the Soul is stirring 29. But not in the Wicked Souls there must the Divine Life first be generated or Born Gods Anger devoureth Many a Soul and that yet in the Essence ere it attaiâ—eth or reacheth the Principle and therefore because it is out of false or wicked Essence from the Evill Seed of the Parents Objection 30. Reason saith What can a Child do to it that the Parents are wicked Answer Yea also what can God do to it Standeth it not in the power of the Parents to beget a Childe What Can God do with it that Whores and Whoremongers crawl together 31. Though indeed the false or wicked Tree doth not thus alone arise out of this Line or Lineage but also in the Marriage Is not Man Free If he awaken no Life then his Seed continueth an * Or Ground of Substance and Life Essence 32. Shall therefore God for the Childs innocency sake cast the Pearls before Swine Doth not the Kingdome of Heaven stand towards it it may enter in God †Or hindereth it shutteth it up from None 33. But an Evill Man is shut up in Body and Soul why also not in the Seed The Seed is truly the Fruit of his Body If a Man would reap good Wheat a Man must needs then sow Wheat but if Thistle-seed be sown then a Thistle groweth out of it And must God then change that into Wheat 34. Hath not the Sower power to sow in his Field what he will Or wilt thou say What can the Thistle do to it that it is a Thistle and pricketh It ought not to be among the Wheat but it groweth up together of it self 35. God would indeed be at quiet if no Thistle-Childe did grow it is also not his Ordinance * Luke 13.25 38 39. but the Devill soweth Weeds among the Wheat viz into Mans Mind Why doth Man let him doe that and destroyeth himself so that his Essence becometh a Thistle-seed and beareth Weeds for the Fire in the fierce Wrath of God 36. Also it lyeth not all in the Seed but in the Field or Soyle Many a Noble Grain of Corn perisheth in the Evill Field's or Soyle's Essence 37. The Heaven with the Sun giveth to all Vegetables or Sprouts Life and Power the Sun maketh no Weed also it desireth none but the Essence in the Field or Soyle maketh many somewhat Else and destroyeth the Good So also in Man 38. Many a Curse sticketh which one wisheth to the other when the other hath stirred up or provoked the Curse and is capable of it or Lyable to it as indeed is common among wicked married people who wish the Devill and Hell Fire to one another 39. If they both be wicked should not also their wicked Wills be done to them that they should beget wicked Children There is not any Good in them how then should Good proceed from or out of them 40. What can God doe to this Doth he not set his Word and Teaching before them and maketh their destruction known to them If they will not regard it Then let them goe whither they will thus also is their Seed and so many a Childe is Generated or born a Thistle and Evill Beast And is Baptised in the Anger
his Enemies viz * Hebr. 2.14 Over Sinne over Death the Devil and over Hell as the Scripture saith †1 Cor. 15.25 26 54 55 56 57. till these his Enemies which all of them are Enemies of the Kingly and Princeâ—y Throne of MICHAEL because they are become thrust out of it be laid under his feet for a footstool and this Dominion and Imaging in this Throne cease 19. Hereby to those that are OURS and have their Thoughts or Senses and Apprehensions enlightened from God enough is shewen and we intend this in Love It is the highest Gate which God openeth or unlocketh to us for the very Last For those that can understand it but for the Scorners so long as they are such we have not written and we seal it with the Eternall Will so that this shall be understood by no Sâ—orner Amen 20. But how man may understand this depth of the Deity and search all things as St. Paul saith of it that * 1 Cor. 2.10 the Spirit searcheth all things even the Depth of the Deity and that the Rationall Naturall Man in own-self ability apprehendeth Nothing viz the own Will and yet that this is apprehensible in Man understand it as followeth 21. Man ia an Image of the Substance of all Substances a right expresse Image of God according to Love and Anger viz First the Soul is the Eternall Centrall Fire of the own willing for out of that * Note must all Creatures come but not out of the clear purâ— God 22. And Secondly The Spirit of the Sâ—ul is the Centrall Fire of the Light out of the Eternall IDEA broke forth or Sprung from the Power of God and it is Supernaturall whereupon it is also †1 Cor. 6.19 The Temple of the Holy Spirit in which Christ dwelleth and feedeth the Soul with his Flesh and Bloud viz with divine and humane * viz Christus or the Anointing Bâ—lsam in which the Death and the Anger of God is become broken Whereupon then such divine Balsam continueth in the Spirit of the Soul substantially as Christ saith †Joh. 6.56 Whosoever eateth my Flâ—sh and drinketh my Bloud he continueth in me and I in him 23. But Thirdly The outward Body is out of the outward World out of the four Elements and out of the Astrum or Consâ—eâ—â—â—â—â—ons Which outward Dominion ruleth the outward Life after which outward Dominion the Adamicall Soul hath Longed or Lustâ—â— and for the sake thereof is broken off from the Unity of God an◠〈…〉 into the Dominion of this World where the Will in it self â—ecame capâ—â—ve by the DRAGON of Gods Anger and turned into a Monster where the true Spirit disappeared when the Light of God Extinguâ—shed to it and the IDEA became Dumb or Inanimate and Uâ—operative or worklesse 24. Which Spirit the IDEA JESUS viz an Efflux from the divine Unity came to help relieve or assist and introduced the Light of the Love into the poor Soul 25. Now when this Name JESUS which is called Christ when he assumed the Humanity â—ndrew into the poor turned away or apostate Soul and pressed througâ—â—nd through it with the Beames of Gods Unity then became the Eternall IDEA viz the right Spirit in such Balsam of the Love moveable again thus the Light shineth again in the Darkness of the Soul and the NEIN or No becometh united with the IAH where Michael in the Strife standeth against or resisteth the Dragon viz the Name oâ— the Anger in Christ JESU 26. In this Light the Soul seeth again into its â—athers or Native Country which it had at first viz into its originall out of which it is Sprouted fâ—r the Name of GOD is in it and worketh in the Spirit Where it standeth in the viewing or Vision of God and may throughly search out all things yet n t in own-self Motion and willing But when the Name of God in the Moving entereth into it self then it looketh upon the forming of the Wonder-doing NAME it seeth and heareth what God speaketh in it 27. * NOTE No Image like Speaking or discourse but operative in the Understanding as the Prophets have spoken and yet this is incomprehensible to the outward Reason of which Saint Paul saith †Phil. 3.20 Our Conversation is in Heaven and yet saith also That a Thorne or Sting was given him in the Flesh that Sathans Angel or Messenger viz a Source Quality or Torment from the Spirit of Seduction of Lust should buffet him or strike him with fists 28. Understand this rightly thus that a Man seeth such hidden secret Mysteries in the Spirit of * Col. 2.2 3. CHRIST wherein all Treasures of Wisdome Lyo as the Scripture testifieth throughout And thus Men are to unsterstand rightly what the Eternall Councill of God is And then also how Man May come to such Vision or viewing and we have here only shewen the Possibility but the Way or Processe how he may attain thereto we have largely or copiously enough described in the other Books The Thirteenth Question How is the Thrusting out of the Dragon and of the Legions of Lucifer effected Whither is he thrust that he can be without God Seeing God filleth all things Or what is the Foundation of Hell where he dwelleth Answer 1. THe †Rev. 12.9 Thrusting out of the DRAGON was the false Apostate off-turned Image-like Will of the own receptibility in which off-turned Will LUCIFER together with his Angels hath Imaged Figured or Formed himself 2. The Dragon is the hellish Foundation and the rejected or reprobate Spirits are the Naturall Imaged Properties of the Hellish Foundation For when they brake off themselves from the holy Name of God from the Being or Substance of the Unity of God and totally Imaged themselves in the NEIN or No that is in the LYE then they became such 3. The Thrusting out is Effected by or Through the Name of the holy Power of * Lucifers his Throne which he hath had he is with his Legions become thrust out of his Throne that is out of his dwelling or Habitation and became instantly shut or lockt up by the Darknesse and apprehended or captivated by the fierce Wrath of the hellish Foundation 4. Thus he is severed off from Gods Holiness and dwelleth under the Firmament and upon the Earth between Time and Eternity as a Prince of Darkness in the fierce Wrath of God 5. His Princely Dominion is in the highest in severall distinctness as also in the Elements in all Quarters and Places after the Manner and Kind of the Four Elements according to †Of the Spirits their Properties for their Properties are Manifold and they have in all the four Elements Habitations every Generation or Tribe among them in their likenesse 6. Yet Men must rightly understand it thus they have not the Elements in possession according to the Good property of them No but only the out flown fierce Wrath out of the Eternall
God and presse or penetrate to the New Birth that he may Pray in Spirit and in the Truth and that the Spirit of Christ may pray in and with him and plead for him before God Christ saith John 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that pray unto him or worship him must pray unto him or worship him in Spirit and in Truth The Preface of the Prayer-Book To the Reader that Loveth God Concerning the true Ground of the right * Or Art Skill of Prayer What Prayer is and wherefore God commandeth us to Pray Dear Christian Reader 1. RIght Praying is not a meer Custome that a Man needs only Speak or Say the Words of Prayer no such speaking of words without hearty Consideration Attention or Devotion and divine Desire is but an Outward thing an outward forming or framing of words 2. The Mouth Imageth or contriveth its words of the Prayer with the outward Power of the Constellations or Starres and Elements and maketh only a form or figure of the willing wherein there is no working Power For Nothing pleaseth God unlesse what himself worketh and doth with a thing 2. For God in the Prophet complaineth of such outward Mouth-prayer or Lip-prayer without Power where he saith With their lips they draw near to Me but their Heart is farre from Me. Isai 29.13 4. Also saith Christ Not all that say LORD LORD shall come into the Kingdome of Heaven but they that doe the Will of my Father in Heaven Math. 7.21 And saith further in another Place Without ME ye can doe nothing John 15.5 He alone is the living Fountain and the Throne of Grace with and through which we with Prayer can enter or press before and into God 5. If we would pray aright then we should I. First view and well consider our selves whither our Heart have Imaged or framed it self into another Creature and whether also such desire which we desire to obtain of God be right Or also whether such desire which we would bring to God in our Prayer be against the profit or benefit and Love of our Neighbour Or whether we therein seek temporall Matters to abridge our Neighbour therein and to draw that which is his to our selves Or whether we thereby desire a Generall Common Love and Unity or Concord Or whether with such Praying we seek only our own Profit and Gain to our selves 6. II. And Secondly We should well Consider our selves whether we also in our Prayer desire and Love any thing More or above the Mercy of God Or whether whatsoever we desire of Temporall things we desire them only and alone from the divine hand and Co-working Or whether we would through our Skill Art Subtilty Cunning and Wit draw it to our selves and so only pray to God for his * Or permission leave to have it or whether we relye upon our selves or whether we would obtain it through the divine co-working that we may afterwards say with a chearful heart This God hath bestowed or vouchsafed ME through his Fatherly Care and Providence I have only been the Hand and the Instrument Or whether we will say this I have brought to passe through my own Skill and Understanding 7. III. Thirdly we should consider what we would doe with that which we pray for and desire from God Whether we thereby only desire to have the Honour and Highness of the World for temporall Pleasure and Voluptuousness or whether we would lay out that which God casteth upon us with his Blessing through our Prayer to his Honour and the Love of our Neighbour and give it to him again and whether we would also account our selves therein only to be Labourers and Servants or Ministers in his Vineyard as from whom God will require an account of his Gifts how faithfull we have been therein 8. IV. Fourthly we should Consider that in this World we have nothing for our own and that we our selves are not our own but only for a little while in this World are Labourers and besides strange Guests or Pilgrims only Officers of our God over his Creation Workmanship and Creatures and that whatsoever we work in and doe we doe it not for our selves only but for God and our Neighbour 9. And that we all are together but One in Christ our Saviour who himself is IN us ALL and in that respect that we should have a Generall Common Love one towards another and desire †1 John 4.10 11. heartily to Love one another as God in Christ our Saviour hath loved us and that we will heartily and readily impart the Gifts which God hath given us through our Prayer whether they be Earthly or Heavenly to our fellow-Members and hold together as the Tree in its Branches or as the Earth with its Fruit or Productions doth which willingly and readily giveth up it self into all its Fruits and loveth and beareth them all 10. V. Fiftly we must Consider that we of and from our own power cannot rightly pray before God as Christ saith Without Me ye can doe nothing Also Saint Paul saith We know not what we should pray as we ought before God But the Holy Spirit it self pleadeth for us mightily with unspeakable Sighs before God as it pleaseth him Rom. 8.26 11. Therefore when we will pray to God our Heavenly Father then we must call upon him in the Name of his dear Sonne Jesus Christ for the Illumination of his holy Spirit that he would forgive our Sinnes for his bitter Suffering and dying sake and give us that which is good and * Blissfull happy for us we should commit all whatsoever is Earthly to his Skill Cognizance and Will and not only with Empty breath and words enter before God when we would pray aright and be heard But with true right earnest sincere Repentance and Conversion from our false or wicked Conversation We must goe forth from all Falshood Pride or State Covetousness Envy Anger and Contrariety or Opposition and totally give up our Heart and Soul to God the Holy Spirit that he may be our Working of Repentance and Power in the Prayer That he may include or comprehend our willing and desiring in himself and bring it into GOD that we may dye away in the Death of Christ from our false or wicked vanity and desire which is befallen us by inheritance and in the Spirit of Christ in us rise again and be born with a New Will Mind and Obedience towards God and forth on walk in such Power in Righteousness and Purity with our Will and New Birth before God as his Children whom he hath dearly bought through the Bloud and Death of his well-beloved Sonne and hath new regenerated them in his Spirit 12. VI. Sixtly Christian Loving Reader thou oughtest well to consider What Prayer is and why God Bids us to Pray It is NOT such a thing as when a Man cometh before a Worldly King or Lord when he hath misdemeaned himself towards him and Prayeth
and Desire I desire no Comfort from thee in my earthly evill Will but pray thee out of all my power which yet is in me mortifiâ— my Earthly Evill Will and let it no more live before thee For it desireth only hypocrisie dissembling or flattery and own self Love and is never sincerely upright before thee It giveth thee good words and pretendeth Truth and yet is a Constant Lyar before thee 62. Give me only thy Will that I may will nothing without thee Doe thou with thy Will tread down my self evill Will to the ground and let me in thy Power co-will and act with thee 63. O LORD what shall I in my vanity pray for from thee I pray for Nothing from thee but for the dying of my Saviour JESUS CHRIST That thou wouldst put me to Death in his Death and make me living again in his Resurrection in him that I may no more walk or converse according to my Spirits Will in me but in him That I may be his Temple and Dwelling-house that he may lead and conduct me so that without him I may be able to will or doe nothing 64. Unite thou and bind me with him so that I may be a fruitfull Branch on his Vine and bear good Fruit in his Power into thy Promise I sink my self down totally and altogether Be it done unto me according to thy Word and Will Amen A Thanksgiving and Prayer When a Man after such Acting Repentance findeth the divine Power in himself 65. O GOD thou Well-Spring or Fountain of Love and Mercy I glorifie and praise thee in thy Truth and Thank thee in my Heart that thou presentest to me thy Countenance again and lookest upon me unworthy and Miserable Wretch with the Eyes of thy Mercy and givest me a Ray or Beam of Comfort so that my Soul CAN hope on Thee 66. O thou Infinite Love of JESUS CHRIST thou who hast Broken Death in our Humanity and changed Gods Anger into Love to thee I give up my self totally and altogether My Soul Laudeth and honoureth thee It rejoyceth it self in thy Power and Love that thou art so Good and Gracious My Spirit sporteth in thy Power and joyeth it self in thy Truth All thy doing is right and Truth Thou rulest over Sinne and breakest the Power of Death Thou holdest the Might and Power of Hell captive and shewest us the Way of Life 67. None is like thee O LORD Who releasest the Captives out of the Pits and Graves of Death and refreshest the Miserable Thou givest them drink in their Thirst and givest them Water of Eternall Life Thou directest their Feet in right Paths and guidest them with thy Staffe The dry parched Places of the Heart and of the Soul thoâ— fattenest and bedewest with thy Rainy Showers and givest them Water of Mercy 68. Thou makest them living in the Midst of Death and settest them up before thee so that they live before thee Thou thinkest on the Mercy and Covenant which thou hast made with us through thy Bloud and Death and forgivest us our Sinnes 69. Thou pourest into us of thy Power so that we acknowledge thee and givest us Food of the Eternall Life whereby we become quickened and continually hunger and thirst after thee This now my Soul acknowledgeth therefore it praiseth thee and exalteth thee in thy great Might and Glory 70. O thou Well-Spring or Fountain of Divine Sweetnesse comprehend or receive my Soul into thee and fill my Spirit with thy Love and bind me to thy Band that I never more depart from thee Strengthen I pray thee my weak Faith and give me an assured Hope and Confidence 71. Cleanse I pray thee my Heart and Soul and give me Chastity Modesty and Purity in my Conscience that I may be ashamed of Sinne before thy Countenance and depart from it Mortifie I pray thee all Evill Lusts in me that I may cleave unto thee with clean and pure desire and walk in thy Will 72. Keep and Maintain me I pray thee in thy Power and acknowledgement and give me an humble Heart towards thee and my Neighbour so that I may alwayes acknowledge and love thee Help also that I may Love my Neighbour as my self through JESUS CHRIST Our Lord. AMEN A Prayer to the Great Fire-burning Love of God shewing how rightly to Pray for it O Thou Holy GOD thou that dwellest in a Light that None can câ—â—â— unto but only the Love of thy Sonne Jesus Christ which thou hast out of meer Grace poured into our Humanity in JESUS Christ Wherewith thou hast loved us poor Men before the foundation of the World And hast through this Love redeemed us from thy fierce Wrath and from the power of Death and of Hell and offerest us now this Love through thy Sonne Jesus Christ in thy Fire-flaming Spirit that we should pray unto thee for it and thou wilt give it unto us 74. I poor unworthy Man acknowledge my self in◠〈…〉 worthy of it But seeing thou hast manifested or revealed 〈…〉 in our assumed Humanity and callest therewith the poor * Luke 19.10 1 Joh. 4.2 3. 2 John 7. lost Sinners And art* Come in the Flesh so that thou wilt seek them in their Sinnes and Miseries and thereby deliver them from Sinne and save them as thy Word teacheth us this Therefore come I upon the invitation of thy Word and receive thy Word and truth in my Heart and Soul and Comprehend it in me as thy Free-Gift and pray thee O thou Fire-flaming Love of God in the Covenant of JESUS CHRIST freely given to us poor thirsty Soules kindle also my poor Soul with this Love that it may attain a New Life and Will and become delivered out of its Prison and Captivity of thy Anger and out of the Jawes of Death 75. O thou fiery Love of God thou who hast in our Humanity broken Death and destroyed Hell and brought forth our Souls victory in Christ through Death Thou who hast at †Acts 2. the holy Pentecost moved in the Apostles Mouths and Hearts in fiery flames and kindled all thy Saints and done thy Miracles or Works of Wonder by them Thou that lovest and preservest the whole World and all thy Creatures To THEE I come and give my self wholly into thee 76. O thou great Fountain of God Open thy self also in the Spirit of my Inwardnesse and kindle also in me the Fire of thy Love so that my Spirit may burn in thy Love and acknowledge and praise thee therein 77. O thou great Holinesse through the Merits of my Saviour JESUS CHRIST through his Bloud and Death I presse in me to thee and give my self up into thy Flame Through his Resurrection and Ascention or going to Heaven I bring my Will into thee and give it up to thee totally and altogether Doe thou with it how thou wilt Doe but deliver it from false or wicked Lust and break its power that it may only look upon thee 78. O thou holy Power
SEVERAL Treatises OF Jacob Behme Not printed in English before according to the CATALOGUE here following viz. I. A Book of the Great Six Points As also A Small Book of other Six Points II. The 177 Theosophick Questions The First Thirteen Answered III. Of the Earthly and of the Heavenly Mystery IV. The Holy-Week or a Prayer-Book V. Of Divine Vision To which are annexed the EXPOSITION Of the TABLE of the Three Principles Also an EPISTLE Of the Knowledge of God and of All Things And of the True and False Light With a Table of the Revelation of the Divine secret Mystery Englished by JOHN SPARROW LONDON Printed for L. Lloyd at the Castle in Corn-hill 1661. THE PREFACE To the ENGLISH READER SEveral of the Writings of this Author Jacob Behme have been published in his native Tongue the German and were so loved and desired at the first notice of them about the year 1612. by some noble vertuous and learned Persons who procured Transcripts out of the Library at Gerlity where the Primate Gregory Rickter had commanded it to be kept that it should no more come to the Authors hands again that beyond his expectation they wrote to him to know whether he were the Author of them and upon his Answer in return they ceased not to solicite him to further writing according to his high knowledge in the deepest Mysteries which he performed from the year 1619. to 1624. in which year he departed this mortal life For it appears by the History of his life and in the Catalogue printed at the end of his Book in Answer to the forty Questions of the Soul that he wrote to the number of Thirty One several Treaties whereof some have been studyed by persons of Learning some Ministers as well as others in Muscovia Sweden Poland Denmark the Netherlands Germany France Spain Italy even in the City of Rome and â—â—ry many in England with good satisfactioâ— to their thirsty Souls concerning true Religion and the way to salvation and Twenty One of them have been formerly printed in the English tongue To some yet there remaineth still the complaint that they are hard to be understood though those that have diligently perused his Books have attained very satisfactory resoâ—â—tions to their destres in most deep and difficult Divine and Natural Mysteries and they that account them most obscure are such as cast their eyes only superficially here and there upon some part of them but those that have gotten a Tast and relish of his illuminated spirit of Understanding appearing in his writings are very eager after any thing of his that remains yet unpublished for whose satisfaction therefore here in this present Volum are Five more peeces of his besides Three other that were printed formerly but not from so exact Copies as now and besides a Table belonging to the Epistle concerning the true and false Light not printed before They are all of very high worth The This is the Siâ—th Book â—n the Catalogue of his writings FIRST is called An Exposition of the Great Six Points containing the knowledge of the Greatest Mysteries in Eternity and how they may be apprehended in the things of this outward visible world more deeply and yet more particularly then in his other writings Especially how Darkness in the eternal Original doth co-work to the Manifestation of the Eternal Light and Glory in Heaven and yet in Hell is the eternal Torment and consuming Fire of the wrath of God where the Devil and his Angels Rev. 20.10 together with the Beast and false Prophet and all the wicked shall be tormented for ever and ever Also how we may in this life while we live in flesh and blood depâ—rt from the Tree of Darkness into the Tree of Light but after this life how there is no possibility to change our capacity we leave this outward world in And this so convincingly that any that is desirous may know how to enter infallibly into the exercise and participation of the Tree of Eternal Life in which consideration we may see how this whole world is a Looking-Glass of the Two eternal beginningless worlds both the Light and the Dark world in one another as One The Four Elements being Fire Air Water and Earth In Heaven these are substantially Love Humility Patience and Meekness and in Hell they are also substantially Wrath Pride Envy and Covetousness and so all things else that are contained in the Four Elements and dwell or grow therein are also according to the manner of Eternity in the Two Eternal Worlds The other is a Small Book of Six Points also wherein are matters of highest depth and of the greatest Concernment to mankind to be known fundamentally as he hath written of them For First As the outward man is constituted of Blood and Water by which his outward life is fed and preserved so the Soul hath in the outward Blood and Water an Eternal which belongeth to the eternal life and therefore was the Blood and Water which flowed out of the Side of our blessed Lord and Saviour when he was pierced with a Spear as he hung upon the Cross so effectual to the healing of the Breach made in Adams Side in his stâ—ep when it was become not good for Man to be alone and all the frailty of Mortal Man afterwards which will also bring forth his Resurrection at the Last Day Secondly It Treats succinctly and summarily concerning Election and Predestination of Good and of Evil wherein is shewn how by the eternal power of God that is through Christ in us we may in this life come out from evil with our Souls into the eternal Election of Grace and Predestination to life which is the Love and Mercy of God or else by rejecting and forsaking the Drawing of that Power within us cast our selves into the Eternal Predestination of Condemnation and Perdition into the darkness and Death which is the wrath and Anger of God Thirdly It intimates how Sin is Sin by shewing how it is the life in the manifestation of the Power of the dark world contrary to the constitution and creation of the Creature which was created in and for the Light by the exorbitant rising up of Self-Nature the Fire to be predominant over divine Nature the Light in the Self of the Creature Fourthly How Christ will at the Last Day deliver up the Kâ—â—â—dom to the Father when he hath put all dominion under the Foot stool of Christ then shall Christ deliver up his kingdoâ—â— who is now Lord of All to the Father and God shall be All in All outwardly and visibly as he is now but inwardly hiddenly and invisibly to us in this Coâ—ruptible world Fiftly What the eternal Magia or Desire is which maketh frameth and imageth both in the dark world and in the light world according to the Quality of Each for as the Thoughts are framed in the Mind so is every thing figured in its own substance in its own world Therefore our
Will which is called Father and is it self the Liberty desireth Nature and Nature desireth with great * Rom. 8 2â— groaning panting and longing the Liberty that it may be released from the Anguish source or quality 75. And it conceiveth or receiveth the Liberty in its sharp fierce wrath in the Imagination whence it skreeketh as a flash for it is a skreek of Joy that it is become released from the anguish source 76. And in the skreek exist Two Substances a dead one and a living one to be understood thus 77. The Will which is called Father which hath the Liberty in it self generateth it self thus in Nature that it might be capable to receive Nature and that it might be the Omnipotency of Nature The skreek of its Nature is a kindling of the fire 78. For when the dark anguish viz the very severe earnest stern Substance attaineth the Liberty in it self then it changeth it self in the Skreek in the Liberty into a flash and the flash apprehendeth the Liberty viz the Meekness and there * 1 Cor. 15.55 56. the sting of Death becometh broken and in Nature the second Will of the Father goeth up which he had framed to himself to be Nature in the Looking-glasse of Wisdoâ—e viz his Love heart that is the desiring of Love and the Kingdome of Joy 79. For in the Fathers Will the fire thus becometh generated to which the second Will giveth the power of Meekness and Love and the fire taketh the Love source or quality into its Essence and that is now its food so that it burneth and giveth forth out of the Consumingness out of the Skreek the †Triumphing or Exulting Spirit of the Kingdome of Ioy. 80. And here the Holy Spirit which in the original before or as to Nature is the Fathers Will-Spirit becometh manifest and Conceiveth here the Power of the Wonders And thus goeth from the Father viz out of the first Will to Nature out of the second willing in Nature out of the fire viz out of the Skreek of the Kingdome of Ioy into the source or quality of Love forth into the Substantiality of Meekness 81. For the Meekness is then also become desirous of the fires property and the desiring draweth the Meekness of Ioy into it self and that is now * John 4.14 the water of Eternal Life which the fire drinketh and giveth forth from it the Light of the Majestie 82. And in the Light now dwelleth the Will of the Father and of the Sonne and the Holy Spirit is the Life therein which openeth now the power of the meek Substantiality in the Light which is viz Colours Wonders and Vertues 83. And that is called the Virgin-like Wisdome For it is NO Genetrix also it self openeth nothing only the Holy Spirit is the opening of its Wonders 84. It is his Garment and faire beauteous Ornament and hath in it the Wonders Colours and Vertues of the divine World and is the house of the Holy Trinity and the Ornament of the Divine and Angelicall Worlds 85. In its colours and vertues the Holy Spirit hath the Quire of Angels as also discovereth all Wonders of Created Things Which all have become discovered from Eternity in the Wisdome Without Substance indeed but yet in the Wisdome as in the Looking-Glasse according to their Figures which Figures in the Fathers Mobility are passed into Essence and into a Creature all according to the Wonders of the Wisdome 86. Now concerning the second Substance where Nature in the Skreek parâ—eth it self into two Substances as is mentioned above viz one the Will of the Father in the fire that is in the fire world and out of the Fathers second framed or generated willing in it self in the Majestick Light-world 87. The second Substance viz. the house of the Skreek in it self in death in the darkness of the Enimicitious source or quality which Also must stand that in that anguish there be an Eternal * Rom. 8.22 panting or longing to be loosed from the source or quality 88. For that panting or longing maketh the first willing to Nature Eternally desirous to come to help its Substance whence then also in the Fathers willing the Mercifulness originally ariseth which entereth with the Liberty into the Anguish but cannot continue in the Anguish but goeth in the fire forth into the Love source or quality 89. His second willing viz his heart goeth forth in him as a well spring or fountain of Love and Mercifulness from whence the Mercifulness hath its original so that there is a pitty upon the Misery and Calamity and a fellow-suffering or compassion And then the Fathers Will which yet is free manifesteth it self in the fierce wrath of Nature so that the fierce wrathfulness becometh meekened 90. But nevertheless as to one part the Anxious wheele of the fierce wrath continueth to it self for in the Skreek a Mortifying is affected not through still death but a Mortal Life which is like the worst or basesâ— thing or substance like a water of separation or Aqua fortis or Poyson in it self for such a thing must be if the Center of Nature be to subsist Eternally 91. And on the other Part the Life goeth out from Death and so Death must thus be a cause of the Life Else if no such venomous poysonous fierce wrathful source or quality were the fire could not become generated and no fire sharpness and Essence could be and then also there would be no Light also no finding of the Life 92. The first Will which is called Father findeth it self thus in Wonders and the second Will which is called Sonne findeth it self thus in Power Moreover thus also the Kingdome of Joy ariseth for if there were no Wo there would be also no Kingdome of Joy But this is the Kingdome of Joy that the Life becometh released out of the Anguish though indeed the Life only thus ariseth 93. Therefore the Creatures have poyson for their Life viz a Gall The Gall is a Cause that there is a Mobility so that the Life ariseth for it causeth the fire in the Heart and the fire is the right Life 94. But it is not the figure of the Life out of the fire life existeth the right Spirit which goeth forth from the fire into the light which is free from the fire As the Aire which yet ariseth from the fire is free from the fire 95. For the right Spirit or the Spirit in Man which becometh generated out of the Soules fire that hath its property in the Light of Life which burneth out from the fire for it existeth out of Death it goeth forth out from the dying The enimicitious source or quality is gone from it and remaining in the fire and furthermore under the fire in the cause of the fire viz in the fierce wrathful * Or Anger Death 96 Thus is the fierce wrathfull Death a Root of Life And here O Men consider your Death also Christs Death
Scales or Ballance Beam of a Balance I. The First Principle What God and the Eternity is and can doe II. And what kind of Sprout or Vegetation each of them giveth out of it self out of its property III. And how a Man shall search out the Ground of Nature And thus the First Head or Part or Point is finished The Second Point The Third Chapter Concerning the Mixed Tree of Evill and Good or concerning the Life of the Three Principles one in another how that uniteth it self and accordeth 1. * Note IN Gods Kingdome viz in the Light World there is no More but one Principle rightly known For the light hath the Dominion and the other sources or qualities and properties are all secret as a Mysterie for they must all serve the Light and give their willing up into the Light and therefore the fierce wrathfull Essence in the Light becometh changed into a Desire of Light and of Love in Meeknesse 2. Though indeed the properties viz harsh bitter Anguish and the bitter woe in the Fire continue Eternally even in the Light World yet none of them is manifest in its property but they are all of them together only thus a Cause of the Life of the Mobility and Joy 3. That which in the Dark World is a woe that is in the Light World a well-doing Munificence and that which in the Dark is a stinging and hating enmity that is in the Light a rising leaping Joy And that which in the Dark is a Fear Terrour and Trembling that is in the Light an Exulting and Triumphing of Joy a ringing forth and singing And that could not be if in the Originall there were not such an Earnest Eager severe source or quality 4. Therefore is the Dark World the Light Worlds ground and originall and the anxious Evill must be an Originall of the Good and is all Gods yet the * Note Light World is only called God 5. And the Principle between the Light World and the Dark World is called Gods anger and fierce wrath And if that be awakened as by the Devill and all evill or wicked men it is they then become forsaken of the Light and fall into the Dark World 6. The Dark World is called Death Hell the Abysse and a Sting of Death Despair Self-enmity and Lamentation a life of Malice Wickedness and Falshood in which the Truth and the Light is denied and not apprehended or discerned wherein the Devils dwell and the Damned Souls also the hellish Wormes which the Deaths Fiat in the moving of the All-substantial Lord hath figured 7. For Hell hath in the Darknesse the Greatest Constellation of the Most Severe eager Power in that all is Loud sounding as a Great Noise that which ringeth in the Light that knocketh rumbleth or Thumpeth in the dark as is to be apprehended in those things that Men use to strike upon that they give a ringing sound for the ringing is not the Substance as a Bell which men ring-out that is it self no Sound but only a hardness and a cause of the ringing sound 8. The Bell conceiveth or receiveth the stroke viz the knocking and from the hard knocking the ringing sound goeth forth the cause is this that there is in the Matter of the Bell a Substance that together in the Creation in the Moving of the All-being or All-substantiall God became shut up in the hardness as is to be perceived by us in the Metalline Tincture if men would not be so mad and blind 9. Thus we apprehend that in Hell in the Abysse there are many and sundry sorts of Spirits not Devils only but many Hellish Wormes according to their Constellation and property not * Or having with understanding As in this World there are unreasonable Beasts Toads and Serpents c. 10. For all would be Creaturely and is gone into a Substance so that thus the Anger-Looking-Glass also sheweth its Wonders and manifesteth it self 11. Indeed there is no perception of woe in the Hellish Wormes for they are of the same Essence and property it is their Life and is a Substance which standeth hidden to the outward World only the Spirit of God which in all the Three Principles is it self the source or quality according to the property of each of them he knoweth it and manisesteth it to whom he will 12. Now then if we will say how the Principles unite in one another then we must set the fire viz the highest strength in the Middle that giveth to each Principle a well-pleasing Life and a Spirit which it desireth 13. Therefore there is no strife in the Principles for the fire is the Life of all Principles that is the cause of the Life not the Life it Self 14. To the Abysse it giveth its woe viz the sting so that Death findeth it self in a Life else the Abyss were a still vacuum It giveth its fierce wrath to it so that out of the Abysses Life mobility ariseth else it were a still void Eternity and a Nothing 15. And to the Light World the Fire giveth also its Essence else there would be no perception or Light therein and all were but ONE yet without the fire a Nothing viz an * A Vge Eye of Wonders which apprehended n◠it self wherein there were no understanding but an Eternall Arcanum or hiddenness where no seeking or production could be 16. To the Third Principle viz to the Kingdome of this World the fire giveth also its Essence and source or quality whence all and every Life and Substance becometh stirring all perception or sensibility or Cogitability and whatsoever shall come to be Somewhat must have Fire there springeth nothing out of the Earth without the fires Essence It is a cause of all the Three Principles and all whatsoever can be named 17. Thus the fire maketh an union of all the Three Principles and is in Each of them the cause of the Substance no Principle striveth against the other but the Essence of each desireth only its own and is alwayes in strife if that were not all would be a still void Nothing Each Principle giveth to the other its power and form or condition and there is a Continuall League or Peace between them 18. The Dark World hath the Great pain and Anguish which the fire causeth so that the Will panteth or longeth after the Liberty and the Liberty panteth after the †Note Manifestation viz after the Essences and giveth it self into the fierce wrath that it might manifest it self and so bringeth it self into Fire so that out of the fierce wrath and the Liberty a fire ariseth and so giveth it self to the fierce wrath to be devoured viz into Death but goeth out of the Death with the assumed Essences forth into its own viz into a World and source or quality of its own and dwelleth in it self unapprehended by Death and the Dark World and is a Light in it self 19. Thus is Death and the fierce wrath
a Mother of the Fire also a cause of the Light-world moreover a cause of all Substances of the Third Principle A Cause of all Essences in all and every Life How will then one Principle strive against the other Seeing continually the one vehemently desireth the other 20. For the Angelicall Light-world and this outward visible World must have the Dark Deaths Essence to its life or source and quality It is a continuall hunger after it 21. Only this is it Each Principle maketh the source according to its own property it giveth to the Evill its good and uniteth it self therewith and maketh of Three one So that there is no strife or repugnancy between the Principles But in the Essence is the strife that must be else all would be a Nothing 22. Only we are to consider whence Enmity ariseth God hath Created in each Principle Creatures out of the substance and property of the Principle therein to continue if they continue not therein but lead or introduce another through their Imagination into themselves into their property then that is an Enmity and pain 23. As the Devill and fallen Man who are both of them gone out of the Light-world The Devill into the Abysse of the strong fierce wrathfull Might or power of or out of Pride and Men into this World into the Mysterie of Much Skill and Knowledge viz into the Wonders 24. Now Man hath necessity and strife that he might goe out again and this World into which he is gone holdeth him for it will have him and if he goeth out with might at any time it becometh enraged with him assaulteth him and will not suffer him in it self 25. Hence it cometh that the Children of this World hate and are at enmity doe plague vex worry beat kill and drive the Children of Light from them for the Spirit of this World driveth them to it To which also the Devill helpeth for he knoweth that this World standeth upon the Abysse and that he shall get the Children of this World in the breaking of this Mystery into his Kingdome And therefore he banisheth or driveth the Children of God from the Children of this World that they bring not the Children of this world also along with them into the Light-world 26. But if Man had been created to this World he would let him well be at peace but he would fain continually possess his Royall Seat which he had and was thrust out from it and though he may by no meanes attain it yet he cannot afford that to the Children that should possess it 27. This is therefore now highly to be considered by Man and not to be so blind that though indeed Man is Entered into the Mystery of this World he should not so eagerly as a prisoner even enter into the Earthly seeking or Malady of the Shutting up of Death but should be an Apprehender and Skilfull Knower of the Mystery and not the Devils Owle and Fool And should with the Imagination constantly goe forth again into the Light-world to which he was Created That the Light might give him its Glance or Lustre that he might know himself and see the outward Mysterie and then he is a Man 28. But if Not then he is a Fool and an Ape or Mimick of the Light-world as an Ape will be Witâ—y or full of Tricks and play with every thing and Imitate Every thing thus it is also with the Earthly Man which is nothing Else but an Ape 29. His Juggling tricks with the Light-world when he presseth not thereinto with Earnestness but playeth only therewith that the Devill derides and holdeth him for a Fool And so he is He is a Beast-Man so long as with his willing he hangeth to the outward and accounteth this Worlds good for his Treasure He is but a Man with this Worlds Substance and not with the Substance of the divine Light world and he giveth his Body to this World that is to the Earth and his Soul to the Abysse of the Dark-world 30. Thus understand The Tree of the three Principles agreeth very well one in another but the Creatures Not for the Creatures of Each Principle desire not those of the other and therefore also there is a fast Sluce or * Lock Barre Cliffe or Gulf. inclosure between them so that one cannot nor shall not see the other 31. Only the Devils Envy striveth against Man-kind for they have possessed his Seat Therefore all the stresse lyeth in this O Man seek thy self see what thou art Have a Care and beware of the Devill Thus much concerning the Second Point How the Three Principles can agree and unite one with the other The Third Point The Fourth Chapter Of the Originall of Contrariety in the Sprout or Vegetation in that the Life is Striving in it Self 1. A Thing that is ONE that hath only One willing it striveth not against it self But where there are many willings in one thing there they are striving for every one will goe its conceived and apprehended Way 2. But if one be Lord of the other so that it hath full power over the other so that it can break it or subdue it when it will not be obedient there the Multiplicity of a Thing subsisteth in one Substance for the Multiplicity of the willing giveth it self altogether in obedience to its Lord. 3. Thus also it is in the Contrariety of the Life For the Life standeth in Many willings every Essence may produce a willing and doth produce it also For Harsh Astringency Bitter Anguish and Soureness are each of them Contrary Sources each of which hath its property and altogether contrary against one another 4. Also the Fire is an Enemy to all the other for it setteth every Source in great anguish so that there is great Contrariety between them the one alwayes being at Enmity with the other as is to be seen in Heat and Cold also in Water and Fire in Life and Death 5. In like manner the Life of Man is at Enmity with it Self One form of disposition is at Enmity with the other in all Creatures Vnlesse that the form or Condition of the Life get a Meek amiable Lord under whose subjection it must be which can break its authority and willing 6. That is the Light of Life that is the Lord of all Formes or Constitutions it can subdue them all they must all give up their willing to the Light and they do it also readily for the Light giveth them meeknesse and power so that its stern harsh bitter anxious form becometh altogether charged into amiableness they give up their Willings altogether to the Light of Life and the Light giveth them Meekness 7. Thus the Multiplicity becometh changed into one into One willing and that is called the Mind and is the Well-spring where the one only will can create out of it Evill and Good which is done through Imagination or through Representation of a Thing that is Evill or Good And so
the Eternall Nature 21. Outward Reason supposeth when the outward Eyes Seeth a thing that is all there is no other Seeing More indeed it is bad enough when the Poor Soul borroweth the outward Looking-Glasse and must make shift to help it self only with that But where will its seeing remain when the outward Looking-Glasse breaketh wherewith will it then see With the anxious Fire-flash in the Abomination in the darkness It can see no other where 22. Therefore it often cometh to passe that when the poor captive Soul discovereth or descrieth it self in the inward Root and thinketh what will follow when the outward Looking Glasse breaketh that it is horribly terrified and precipitateth or casteth the body into Anguish and doubting 23. For it can no where discover where its Eternall Rest should be but it findeth that it is in it self in meer unquietness moreover in darknesse and hath the outward Looking-Glasse only as it were borrowed 24. For while the Soul sticketh in this outward Body it may indeed make a shift to help it self with the Sun-Looking-Glasse for the Sun hath in its Root the inward Fire viz the Principle of the Father 25. From that very Fire it getteth a Glance or Looking-Glasse which is a cause of the Essence of the Body so that it can in this Earthly transitory Life be in Joy But when the outward Looking-Glasse breaketh then that is out or extinguished and the Souls fire goeth into the house of Sadness or Sorrow viz into the Center of the Darkness 26. The Soul hath in the Time of the outward Body Three Looking-Glasses or Eyes of all the Three Worlds and into which Looking-Glasse it inclineth or turneth in it self out of that it seeth but it hath no more but one as to the right of Nature that is the Fire-Flash viz the fourth Form of the Dark-world in the Place where the Principle ariseth where the two inward Worlds sever themselves one into the Darkness the other into the Light there is its Eternall Originall 27. Into which World now it introduceth its willing in that same it receiveth also the Substance viz a Spirituall Body for that very Substance becometh to the Souls-Fire a Food or Matter of its burning 28. And therefore hath God introduced the Soul into Flesh and Bloud that it might not so easily be capable of the fierce wrathfull Substance also it hath its Joy the while in the Sun's Looking-Glasse and rejoyceth it self in the Sydereall Essence 29. And 1. The Light-world standeth in its right Fire viz in the first Principle presented to it 2. The Dark-world in the Fire Root But 3. the outward Elementary World in the Starres-sources or quality where between moveth the Great Mysterie of the Soules-Fire In which World now it uniteth and giveth up it self from the same it getteth Substance in its Imagination 30. But seeing with Adam it hath turned it self into the Spirit of this World and brought its Imagination thereinto therefore now its highest desire standeth in the Sun 's and Starre's source or quality and draweth with the same the Spirit of the outward World with its Substance of the four Elements constantly into it self and hath its greatest Joy therein in which it is a Guest in a strange Lodging for the Abysse standeth under it and it is in great Danger 31. Now saith outward Reason Hath God indeed Created it in Flesh and Bloud in this outward World What hurt may that doe it 32. This Reason knoweth no more of the Originall of the Soul then a Cow doth of a New Barn-Door which looketh at it and supposeth it to be somewhat strange And so also the outward Reason supposeth the Inward World to be some strange thing 33. In findeth or perceiveth it self in the outward World and hunteth after that which the outward World hath and yet it findeth in it self the Inward World which continually * Or chargeth complaineth against the Soul before Gods anger Moreover it findeth also the Light-world whereinto the Inward desires of the Soâ—ls Principle look back 34. It findeth indeed the longing after God but the outward World †Wichret hindereth that and covereth it so that the desire after Gods World may not kindle the Fire in it self For if that were done then would the Light-World become Manifest â—n the first Principle and the Noble Image of God would become Manifest 35. The Devill also hindereth this who possesseth the Root of this World in the Souls-Fire and setteth alwayes Evill Earthly * Things Matters or Doings Substantiality before the Soul or stirreth indeed the Root in the Center of Nature in the fierce wrath so that the poor Soul either kindleth it self in the Anger-fire in the Evill poyson source or quality or else kindleth it self in the Anguish and doubting of Gods Love And there he hath gotten the Day or the Game 36. And setteth before the Soul outward Might or Potency Authority and Honour also the Glance Lustre and Pomp of the outward World and there the Soul biteth at that and Tickleth it self therein with or by Imagination And yet it cannot rightly enjoy the same for it is only a borrowed Looking-Glasse 37. Thus the poor Soul becometh drawn away from Gods Light and sinketh alwayes into perdition viz into the dark House of Misery in the Dark-world And that Adam procured and Cook't for us when he introduced his delight or Lust into the Earthliness And thus now the poor Soul Swimmeth in the Earthly Flesh and Bloud and Continually eateth of the Tempting Tree of Evill and Good and is vehemently drawn by both and the Serpents Monster sticketh in the Midst in the Source or Quality of the fierce wrath and Continually bloweth up the Anger and the fierce wrath 38. And then can the Noble Lilly-Twig or Branch no way recover it self or draw breath also often not know it self it becometh often times overwhelmed with the fierce wrath of Evill or Malignity so that it is as if it were quite perished and it were also perished if the Looking-Glasse of the Deity did not stand presented to it wherein the willing-Spirit of the poor captive Soul may draw breath and recover it self again and generate therein again 39. For * NOTE in the Looking-Glasse of the Light-world standeth the becoming Man or Incarnation of Jesus Christ presented to the Souls Spirit And the Word that became Man standeth in the Sound and is stirring the Souls-Spirit CAN therein draw breath or recover it self and new generate it self else it were often past help with the poor Soul when it did plunge or drown it self in the Anger and in the poyson of the Dark-world 40. Thus we understand in the Ground what the perishing or Perdition of the Noble Tree viz of Gods Imâ—ge is namely this viz 41. The whole Man is in its Substance the Three Worlds The Souls Center viz the Root of the Souls-Fire holdeth in it the First Principle viz the right Fire-world And the Noble
of God 41. For of what Essence the Souls Spirit is into such an Essence it receiveth also the divine Substance in the Covenant One in the power of Light in the Love the other in the Power of the fierce Wrath in the Darkness 42. The Covenant together with the Baptisme standeth firm Every Childe iâ— Baptised in the Covenant the Spirit of God Baptiseth every one if a Man keep the Solemnity yet according to the Childes Property 43. Often is the Father and Mother as also the Baptiser wicked and are only Evill Beasts also there is no earnest Sincerity all lyeth with them in the outward Pomp Money and Riches they do but despise the Mysterie and the Child also is only of the Anger 's * Or Property Essence who shall then Baptise None else but Gods Anger in his Covenant And therefore because Men do but despise it 44. Thus the Anger-Source or Quality receiveth the New Spirit and worketh powerfully in it And bringeth forth Fruit into Perdition As Saint Paul saith of the Supper and other Testament That †1 Cor. 11.29 the wicked receive it unto Judgement because he distinguisheth not the Lords Body that is that he distinguisheth not the heavenly part of his Essence in him From the Earthly and so putteth his willing thereinto and Offereth it up to God but esteemeth all common as an Oxe devoureth the Stover 45. Therefore the Anger of God floweth up in him so that he breaketh not off his willing from the Earthly and entereth not into Repentance from his Evill or Wickedness And therefore cannot his heavenly part become partaker of Gods Body while he cannot make the Essence of the heavenly Part stirring 46. Moreover he hath also no Mouth to receive the Body of God for the Mouth lyeth shut up in Death in like manner also the Earthly part receiveth Christs Body but according to the Anger 's property according to the Dark-worlds property for the Testament must stand firm 47. In like manner also in the Baptisme as the Souls Essence is in Substance so also it enjoyeth Gods Covenant better a totall wicked Childe should not be baptised and that a wicked Man in his Sinnes without conversion should not touch Gods Testament for it bringeth them BOTH only power to Perdition 48. For Gods Covenant becometh stirred and that goeth never away without Fruit God worketh in his Covenant according to his Word As the Soul is which stirreth the Covenant so is also the Medicine or Physick in the Covenant and in such a Power the Spirit of God worketh in Love and Anger 49. For it is the Spirit of Every Life and likeneth or appropriateth it self to Every Life it is in Every Thing like as the Things will and property is for one Property receiveth the other what the Soul willeth that willeth also the same into which the Soul turneth it self It is all Magicall whatsoever the Will of a Thing willeth that it receiveth 50. A Toad taketh only Poyson to it self when perhaps it sitteth in the best Apothecaries * Or sweetest Balsom Medicine The like also doth a Serpent every Thing taketh its own property into it self 51. And though it eat the Substance of a good Property yet it Maketh all in it self to its own Property If a Toad eat Sugar yet the same becometh Poyson in it Even as the Devill was an Angell but when he willed nothing that was Good then his heavenly Substance be came to him hellish Poyson and his Evill Will continued Evill at one time as at the other 52. Thus is our Life highly to be considered what we would doe or what we purpose we have Good and Evill in us into which we frame our willing the Essence thereof becometh stirring in us and such a Property we draw also from without into us 53. We have both Mysteries the Divine and the Devillish in us from both the Eternall Worlds and also from the outward World what we make out of our selves that we are what we awaken in us that is stirring in us if we lead our selves to the Good then Gods Spirit helpeth us 54. But if we lead our selves to Evill then Gods fierce Wrath and Anger helpeth us What we will of that Property we get a Leader and thereinto we lead our selves And yet it is not the Deities Will that we perish but his Anger 's and Our Will. 55. And thus we understand the Fift Point How a Life perisheth and how out of Good an Evill Cometh to be and out of Evill a Good when the Will converteth or turneth it self about The Sixt Point The Ninth Chapter Of the Life of the Darkness wherein the Devils dwell what kind of Birth or Geniture and Source or Quality it hath 1. THe Life of the Darkness is against all and Every Life of the Light For the Darkness giveth fierce wrathfull and Enimicitious Essence and the Life of the Light giveth Love-Essence 2. In the Darkness there is in the Essence only a continuall stinging and breaking where every Form of the Essence is at enmity with the other an Opposite or Contraâ—ous Substance every of the Formes deny themselves to be evill and every one of them say to the other that it is Evill and contrary to them it is a cause of their unquietness and fierce wrathfulness 3. Every one of them think in themselves if the other Form were not then they should have rest and yet Every one is Evill and false whence it cometh to passe that all whatsoever becometh generated or born out of the dark fierce wrathfull Property is lying and continually lyeth against the other Formes saying that they are Evill and yet it is the cause thereof It maketh them Evill with its poysonous Infection 4. Thus are they all and lying is their TrUth * John 8.44 When they speak lyes then speak they from their own Formes and Properties and thus also are their Creatures Therefore saith Christ The Devill is a Lyar and Murtherer from the Beginning for Every Form desireth to Murther the other and yet there is no Murthering but the greater the Strife is the greater their Murtherous Life cometh to be 5. Therefore it is called an Eternall Death and Enmity where meer vain contrariety or opposition Existeth for there is nothing that can cease the Strife there is nothing can compell one only Form the more it is resisted or stopped the greater the fierce wrathfulnesse becometh like a Fire that a Man bloweth up or compresseth whereby it burneth but the more 6. So the fierce wrathfull Kingdome can be quenched by Nothing but barely by Gods Light or Love whence it becometh totally soft meek or sweet lovely and richly Joyfull 7. * Note And that also can not be for if the Dark Kingdome should be kindled with the Light the Light would have no root to its Nature and Property there could be no Fire Generated there would also be no Light also no Omnipotency but All a Nothing
we can kill the Hellish Poyson in our selves with Gods Power and sprout out from thence as a new Twig or Branch which the hellish source or quality cannot comprehend or touch 53. And although it be so indeed that the hellish fierce wrath is more known in one place then in another all according to the hellish Dominion where the upper dominion is mighty potent in severall places in the space or place of this World All according to the first kindling of King Lucifer as in Many places of the Earth 54. As also in the deep between the Starres and the Earth the Hellish properties are to be discerned there above other places where the inward fierce Wrath reacheth into the outward Principle where then there are severall distinct dominions of Devils as also of the other hellish Properties Where the fierce Wrath of God hath so vehemently kindled it self and now also burneth even untill the Judgement of God 55. †NOTE Every Man carrieth in this World Heaven and Hell in himself which Property soever he awakeneth that burneth in him and of that Fire the Soul is capable and so when the Body dieth and departeth the Soul need not goe away any whither but it will be cast home to the hellish dominion whatsoever Property it is of those very Devils which are of those Properties wait upon it and take it into their Dominion even till the Judgement of God 56. Though indeed they are bound to no Place yet they belong to the same Dominion and that very source or quality they have every where whithersoever they goe away yet they are in that same dominion and source or quality 57. For the Abysse hath no Place neither Time nor Space as it was before the times of the World where there was no Place so it is and continueth Eternally in the Abysse 58. And though indeed the Place of this World was given to Lucifer for a Kingdome for he was created therein yet he is now thrust out from Place and Space and dwelleth in the Abysse where Eternally he can reach no place of the Angellicall Kingdome and yet is shut up in his Kingdome into the Abysse where then he must bear Eternall Reproach as a Captive Prisoner 59. As men doe to a Malefactor which they put into a dark Hole or Dungeon from all things of this World where he must be bereaved of all worldly Joy and doings and bear the reproach of his breaking Bounds So it goeth also with the Devils and all damned Souls who lie Captive in the Dark Dungeon 60. Also they desire not to goe out because of the Great reproach of their abominable Form and Image and then whithersoever they happen to goe yet Eternally they enjoy no Good there is no refreshment among them but * Psal 49.14 lying in Hell as the Dead or Eternall hungry thirsty and fainting Ones and are only an Evill Poysonous Source or Quality 61. All is opposite and contrary to them they have only a thirst after Anguish and Malice or Wickednesse that they devour Eternally into themselves and generate Blasphemies against God and heap them upon themselves the more abominable and horrible they can make their Figure Shape or Posture to be the more they like it and the lovelier it is to them 62. Like Counterfeits Tumblers and Mummers that act fooles play who would alwayes fain be the Greatest Fooles they can invent and set themselves forth in the horriblest deformed manner that they can and have their Jollity and Joy therein thus they doe also Eternally in Hell and therefore they begin their Sport and Scene upon Earth 63. †Note As a Tyrant hath his Joy when he can torment Men and vapour or riot away their Sweat in foolish strange uncouth apparell gestures postures and behaviours and make fools of themselves So doe also the Devils in Hell 64. And the lascivious debauched Luxury in this World in strange bravery and insolent voluptuous Modes new Fashions and Apish Gestures are a right Type prefiguration and representation of the Hellish World 65. All strange uncouth behaviour Crisping and Curling Roaring and Ranting State Lostiness and Complement which proud Courtly man contriveth and inventeth and cloatheth his foolish * Himself Man therewith whereby he will be distinguished from the true Children of God these are prefigurations of the hellish World 66. For all his Trimmings and Dressings and Polishings his flattering and pranking complement wherewith they withdraw themselves from humility and lowliness is all a hellish Looking-Glasse for the Devils pride and State will be like none it distinguisheth or differenceth it self in this World 67. And Blinde Man understandeth it not how the Devil befools him and betrayeth him and thus only to deride and scorn God he represents and pourtrayeth his proud stately vizard that poor Man may doe as he doth and yet supposeth he is therewith finer braver and better then other Men whereas yet we all originally arise and proceed out of one only Body and Spirit 68. But in the presence of God and his Angels he is thereby known only for a Devils †Or Monster vizard and is before the Heaven an Abomination As Folly is in respect of Widome only an abomination so is also the flattering hypocriticall Pride and State an abomination before God and his Angels and in respect of the Noble Image yet the World cleaveth to this abomination whereby it declareth or maketh a shew and triumph of the perished corrupted Earthly Garment or Image 69. He that seeth a proud stately Man he seeth the heavy Fall of Adam a prefiguration of the hellish World a half Devill and half Man to whom the Devill hath a continuall accesse for he is the Devils Servant in this World for the Devill driveth or manageth his work with or by him 70. And that poor Man knoweth not and so goeth or entereth into the Devils Ministry or Service to his Eternall reproach He supposeth he is brave therewith and venerable or worshipfull but he is therewith in the presence of God as a Fool who putteth on strange Clothes and taketh the Beastiall Form on himself Further of the Sixt Point The Tenth Chapter Of the Four Elements of the Devill and of the Dark-world how a Man may know them in this outward World 1. THe First Element of the Dark-world and of the Devill is Pride or State the Second is Covetousness the Third is Envy the Fourth is Anger 2. These Four Elements doe alwayes continually hatch or breed a young Sonne forth which is called Falshood And that Sonne is also a reall Sonne of that perished corrupt Adam which he hath left behind him for a Lord of the World 3. Who is become King in the World and hath possessed the whole World he ruleth in all quarters in the Third Principle He that rightly knoweth this King he knoweth the four Elements of the Devill 4. For in the Dark-world these four Elements have the Totall dominion in
Pride in its Hypocriticall flattering Mantle cannot gâ—t the Power and Authority by Subtilty and Falshood then it must afterwards set up the Fourth Power or vertue which striketh with fists thereupon and raiseth Warres upon it 56. O how frolick is the Devill when his Four Elements thus rule then he supposeth he is yet Lord upon Earth though indeed he is Captive and yet the Beast Men perform his office well and so he therewith doth but reproach Men that they are and doe worse then he himself can doe 57. Thus these are the four Elements of the Dark-world in which the Devill supposeth to be a God wherewith he ruleth upon Earth with his faithfull Sonne Falshood which first is the Smugge Kitlin which before hand giveth good words and yet watcheth continually upon the Mouse if it can but once catch it O how brisk and Jocund it is when it can bring the Roastmeat to the Devill 58. With these Four Elements is Man surrounded and hath them in the false Kings Land and Country for his Lodging They Shoot him at an houres to the Heart and would Murther his Noble Image 59. He must continually be in Strife against these For they are with and in him as in a Lodging They stand alwayes upon him And would Murther his best Jewell 60. If but one of these Four Elements have power and Authority to qualifie or operate in Man then that One kindleth all the other and instantly robbeth Man of his Noble Image and maketh out of it a vizard of the Devill 61. And none can with truth say who letteth these Four Elements have power and authority to qualifie or operate that he is a Man for he qualifieth or operateth in the Devils property and is an Enemy of God 62. And though perhaps the Devill cloateth him with the flattering Hypocriticall Mantle so that he can give good words and knoweth how to behave himself finely that a Man supposeth he is a Childe of God yet for all that he is no Man so long as these four Elements lead the upper dominion 63. But he is a Devillized Man half Devill and half Man till he maketh his measure full and then he is a Totall Devill in Mans Form or Shape 64. * NOTE Therefore let every one learn to know what kind of Properties rule in him if he find that these four Elements or but one of them rule in him then he hath time to draw into Battle against it or else it will not be Good he should not dare to comfort himself with the Kingdome of Heaven 65. Only let him not suffer the Devill to cast the flattering Hypocriticall Mantle about him as is done now adayes when Men live in these four Elements and doe but finely tickle themselves with the Sufferings of Christ that must be this wicked mans Cloak and Covering 66. The deceitfull Man might hold his dominion if he did not thus tickle himself with Christs Satisfaction Oh how the Glistering Hypocriticall Mantle of Christ will be pulled off from thee and then Men will see the Whore of Babell standing with the four Powers or Vertues 67. It is not only Comforting will doe it but hinder and resist the deceitfull Man that he may not be Lord in the House he must not have the Dominion but Rihhteousness Love Humility and Chastity and a continuall willing to doe well 68. Not in Pride Covetousness Envy and Anger but in Humility in well-doing with a good heart not dissembling and giving good words but in DOING It must be DOING 69. †Note To withstand the Devils willing to be satisfied with a little in patience to shut up himself in hope upon God to withstand the four Elements of the Devill and to take in * 1. Humility 2. Meekness 3. Patience 4. Love Gods four Elements which are Humility Meekness Love or Mercifulness and Patience in Hope these are Gods Elements these a Man should awaken or stirre up in himself and therewith continually strive against the †1. Pride 2. Covetousnesse 3. Envy 4. Anger Devils four Elements 70. Man must here be in Strife against himself if he will become a heavenly Citizen he must not be a Lazy Sluggish Sleeper in Eating Drinking Gourmandizing and Drunkenness only to fill his Belly whence the Devils Elements begin to * Labour and bring forth fruit qualifie or operate But he must †1 Pet. 5.8 be Temperate Sober and Watchfull as a Souldier that standeth before his Enemy 71. For Gods Anger striveth continually against him he will have enough to doe with that to defend himself For the Devill is his Enemy his own perished corrupt Flesh and Bloud is his Enemy Gods Anger is his Enemy in himself and the whole World is his Enemy Wheresoever he looketh he seeth Enemies All which would rob him 72. Therefore it is striving that must doe it NOT with Mouth and Sword but with Mind and Spirit and not give over or leave off though perhaps Body and Soul should break to pieces and so then must God yet continue to be the Comfort of the Heart as King David saith * Psal 73.26 When Body and Soul shall happen to break in sunder then yet thou art my God the Comfort of my heart and my Refuge 73. And though a Man should see that the whole World were wicked yet if he doth think to be a Childe of God he must still remain stedfast 74. And though perhaps he should think that he were alone in this Path and that the whole World also should say to him Thou art a Fool and art Mad yet he should be in the World as if he were dead and should have that said by the Devill who is his worst Enemy 75. And he should depart no whither but think or Consider that in his purpose he pleaseth God and that God himself in him is his purpose That he will deliver him from the Devill and bring him into HIS Kingdome AMEN THe 18. of April 1639. The Second Translation of this Book into Low-dutch was finished out of Three different Copies One of which was by Herr Michael von Endern compared with Jacob Behme's own Copie and found very Correct And Englished out of that Nether-dutch Copie compared also with a High-dutch Copie in September 1657. Den Oversetter Den 27. February 1638 Aen alle Kinderen van de Edele SOPHIA DEes Pen was noyt soo stout in seven volle Jaren Dat sy dorst grijpen aen dit diep gegront Gewas Om uyt't Hoogh-duyts in ons Lief Moeders-taal te baren Maar nu heeft Sy't vol-brach in veert ien-dagen ras Daar voor Zy't NIETS tegen't geschapene en Al Zijnde Alles in Alles NIETS en AL en't Gonigh Goeth ghepresen Door De Ecuwighe wijsheijt Sophias gheslacht met Siel Beeldt Geest bereyt Het Guwigh EEN will on s van't blindt ghesicht ghenesen Dat wy doorts mogen Sien Gods groote Of Verborgentheyt Heymlijkheyt SONNET Op den In-hout van dit Tractaat Op't I. en II.
Therefore all is Sinne and a Contrary Opposite Will whatsoever the Desire possesseth as its own for it self only be it meat or drink if the Will imagineth or setteth it self therein then it filleth it self therewith and kindleth the Fire thereof and so another Fire burneth in the first which is a Contrary Opposite Will and an Errour 50. Therefore there must a new will grow out of this Opposite Will that so it may give up it self again into that One only Union and the Contrary Opposite Will must be broken and slain 51. And here we are to Consider of the †John 1.14 Word God which became Man and that if a Man set his desire therein he departeth out of the Source out of his own Fire and becometh Regenerated a new in the Word and so the Will that is thus departed dwelleth in God and the first Will dwelleth in the Desire in the Earthlinesse and Multiplicity 52. And so the Multiplicity must Corrupt with the Body and dye from the Will that is departed and the Will that is departed is then known to be a new Birth for it reassumes all again into it self in that One but not with its own Self desire but with its own Love which is united with and in God so that God is * 1 Cor. 15.28 all in all and his Will is the Will of all things for one only Will subsisteth in God 53. And thus we find that the Evill †Note Rom. 8.28 must be serviceable to the Good unto Life if the Will departeth out again from it Self into the Good for the Wrath and Fiercenesse must become the Fire of Life 54. But the Will of the Life must be set in Strife against it Self for it must fly from the Wrath and not will it it must not will that Desire which yet will and also must have its Fire Therefore is it said * Joh. 3.3 5 7. We must be regenerated in the Will 55. Every Will-Spirit that continueth in the Desire of its Fire-Life viz in the Fierceness or Wrath of the Wood or Fewell for the Fire or entereth thereinto and possesseth the Earthly it is so long separated from God as it possesseth that Estranged heterogene thing viz the Earthlinesse 56. * Complexions And thus we come to know how superfluity of meat and drink worketh or bringeth forth Sinne for the pure Will which proceedeth out of the Fire-Life is drowned and captivated in the Desire so that it becometh impotent in the Strife for the Fire-Source viz the Desire holdeth it captive and filleth it with distemper or Longing so that the Will Imagineth in the Desire 57. The Will as also that Desire in or towards Meat and Drink is Earthly and Separated from God but that Will which flyeth from the Earthly Desire burneth in the inward Fire and is Divine 58. That Will which fleeth away from the Earthly Desire existeth not out of the Earthly Fire No it is the Will of the Souls Fire which is taken Captive and Covered with the Earthly Desire that will not continue in the Earthly Desire but it will be in its One in God from whence it Sprang in the beginning 59. But if it be held captive in the Earthly Desire then it is shut up in Death and suffereth the Anguish of the Source or Torment And thus it is to be understood concerning Sinne. The Fourth Point How †1 Cor. 5.24 Christ will deliver up the Kingdome to his Father 60. IN the Creation of the World and of all Things or Substances the Father moved himself according to his Property viz with the Center of Nature with the Dark and Fire-world which remained in the Motion and Regiment or Dominion till the Father moved himself according to his heart and according to the Light-world and that God became Man and then the Love of the Light did overcome the Fathers fierce wrathfull angry Property and so the Father did rule in the Sonne with the Lâ—â—â— 61. And then the Sonne held his Regiment or Dominion in those that clave unto God and the Holy Ghost that proceedeth from the Father did draw Men into the Light of Love by the Sonne to God the Father 62. But in the End the Holy Ghost moveth himself in the Fathers and also in the Sonnes Property and both Properties become at once alike Stirring and Moving and the Spirit of the Father openeth or unshutteth it self in the Fire and in the Light and also in the Wrath or Fiercenesse of the Dark-world and there the Regiment or Dominion falleth home to the Father for the Holy Ghost must alwayes reign Eternally and be an Eternall Opener in the Light and also in the Dark-world 63. For the two Worlds must Stand still and the Holy Ghost which proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne driveth on the Rule and Dominion in the two Worlds according to each Worlds Source and Property 64. He alone will be the Revealer of the Wonders And thus the Eternall Rule Dominion and Government becometh given or * Cor. 15.24 28. delivered up to the Father who is ALL which Rule he driveth on with or by the Spirit The Fift Point Of the Magia what the Magia is and what the Magick Ground is 65. THe Magia is the Mother of the Eternity of the Substance of all Substances for it maketh it self and is understood * Or to be the Desire in the Desire 66. It is in it self no other then a Will and that Will is the Mysterium Magnum the Great Mysterie of all Wonders and Secrets and yet it driveth forth it Self through the Imagination of the desiring Hunger into Substance 67. It is the Originall of Nature its desire maketh a * Impression or Imaging in a Thing Representation this Representation is no other then the Will of the Desire yet the Desire maketh in the Will such a Substance as the Will in it self is 68. The true Magia is no Substance but the desiring Spirit of Substance it is an un-substantiall Mutrix and revealeth or manifesteth it self in the Substance 69. The Magia is a Spirit and the Substance is its Body And yet both of them are but one as Body and Soul is but one only Person 70. The Magia is the greatest hidden Secret for it is above Nature it maketh Nature according to the Form of its Will It is the Mystery of the Number Three or Trinity understand the Will in the Desire to the Heart of God 71. It is the Fountain in the Divine Wisdome viz a Desire in the Number Three in which the Eternall Wonder of the Number Three desireth to reveal it self with or by Nature and it is that Desire which introduceth it Self into the Dark-Nature and by Nature to Fire and by Fire through Death or through the fierce Wrath into the Light of the Majesty 72. It is not the Majesty but the Desire in the Majesty it is the Desire of the Divine Power not the Power it self but
28. Question What are the Principles in the Spirit of this World Of the Superiour and Inferiour Substance 29. Question What is the Sperme or Seed of the Generation of all Things 30. Question What is the distinction or difference of thâ— Sperme or Seed between the Metals Stones and Vegetables viz Hearbs Trees and Mineral Earths 31. Question How is the Conjunction of the Feminine and Masculine Kind Effected whence their Seed and growing exist 32. Question What is the Tincture in the Spermatick Kind or Species whence the Growing and Lustre Exist 33. Question Out of what are all Creatures of the Mortall Life become Sprouted and Created 34. Question What was the Archaeus and Separator of their Kind or Species and Property which hath formed and still at this day doth form them 35. Question What are the Six dayes work of the Creation and the Sabbath 36. Question What is the difference or distinction of the Mortall Creatures And what is their Chaos wherein every Generation or Species liveth and wherein they are become distinguished one from another 37. Question To what End and wherefore did the Mortall Creatures come to be 38. Question Out of what * Gen. 2.7 to the 22. as to the Body did Man become Created 39. Question What was * the breathing in whence Man is become a living Soul 40. Question What is the Immortal Life in Man viz the Soul And what is the Spirit of Man and the outward Life in this World in him 41. Question What is the Idea or Expresse reflex * Gen. 1.26 Image of God in Man wherein God worketh and dwelleth 42. Question What was †See the 40. Questions of the Soul Quest 39. 40. Also Myster Magnum ch 25. ver 16. And the 14. Epistle ver 14. quere the Epistle in English Paradise wherein God Created Man Is it alterable and a Creature Or doth it stand in the Eternal Ground 43. Question Why did God in the Beginning Create but ONE Man And not instantly a Man and Wife at once as other Species are 44. Question Whether was the first Man in such a habit of Condition Created to Eternal Life or to change or alteration 45. Question What manner of Image was Adam before his Eve in what Form and Condition was he when he was neither Man nor Wife but both 46. Question Whether had Adam before his Eve Gen. 2. from the 7. to the 22. also Masculine Members and such Bones Stomack Guts Entrails Teeth and also such things as we now have 47. Question If Adam also had been thus as we are now How was it possible that he should stand in such a Manner in impassibility and incorruptibility 48. Question Had Adams Eating and Drinking been after a Paradisicall Manner without care and necessity or want if he had stood out the Tryall or Proba 49. Question Whether also should Adam have Eaten such Fruit in Paradise as the Heavenly Food after this Time shall be Or whereinto should he have Eaten Where should that have remained Or what would have become of it Seeing all Substances of this World are earthly and transitory and he only was an Eternall Heavenly Image and needed not the Vanity 50. Question Whether also did The four Elements govern Adam in his Innocency or but ONE only in the Equality of the four Elements also whether did he feel Heat and Cold before he fell 51. Question Whether also should any thing have been able to kill him or destroy him 52. Question What should Adams State and Condition upon Earth have been What should he have done if he had Continued in Paradise 53. Question What was the Earth with its Fruits before the Curse when it was called Paradise Gen. 3.17 54. Question Whether also should it have been possible that the propagation should be effected without Man and Wife being * Luk. 20 3â—.36 in the Resurrection from the Dead they shall be neither Man nor Wife but as the Angels of God in Heaven Math. 22.30 55. Question How should it have been possible that a Man and Wife should have remained Eternally Or whether would God have altered and changed this Creature Man Seeing in the Eternall Life they shall be like the Angels Whether also Adam in the beginning became Created in that very angelicall Imaging or in another Imaging that shall rise again and live Eternally 56. Question What were the Trees in Paradise which were †Gen. 2.9 amiable to behold and good to be eaten of 57. Question What was * Gen. 2.9 the Tree of Life and also the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evill each in its Power Essence and Property 58. Question Wherefore did God Create these Trees seeing he knew well that Man would lay hold on them and so hurt himself thereby 59. Question Why did God †Gen. 2.17 forbid Man these Tree What iâ— the Cause thereof 60. Question Why should Man * Gen. 1.26 rule over all the living Creatures or Beast of the Earth how should that have been and to what End 61. Question Why did God say †Gen. 2.18 It is not good for Man to be alone whereas yet in the beginning * Gen. 1.31 he beheld all his Works that he had made and said they are very Good But concerning Man only he said It is not good that this Man should be alone why was it not Good 62. Question Why did †Gen. 2.21 to the 24. God suffer or cause a deep Sleep to fall upon Adam when he built or framed a Wife out of his Rib What doth that Signifie 63. Question How became the Wife or Woman made out of Adam What doth the Rib out of his Side signifie out of which God made the Wife or Woman as Moses writeth 64. Question Whether also did Eve receive a Soul and Spirit from Adams Soul and Spirit or a New strange One especially and severally given from God 65. Question How was the dividing of Adam into the Wife or Woman effected 66. Question Why * Gen. 2.23 did Adam take his Eve instantly to him and say That she was his Flesh How could he know her 67. Question What was the Serpent on the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evill which seduced Eve Gen. 3.1 68. Question Why did the Serpent perswade Eve and Not Adam to Lust after the Fruit What was the Fruit on which they both did Eat Death 69. Question What was the Sinne Gen. 3.6 and how is it become a Sinne So that it is Enmity against God 70. Question Why did not God hinder that See the Answer to the 9. Question that it should not be done or Committed Seeing he had †Gen. 2.17 forbidden it to them 71. Question How * Gen. 3.7 did Adam's and Eye 's Eyes become opened so that they saw that they were Naked which they did not know before 72. Question What was * Gen. 3.8 Adam and Eves Shame that they hid
teach before the people concerning the Kingdome of Heaven in Similitudes or * Mark 4.13 33.34 Mysterium Magnum ch 46. ver 31. Parables 115. Question Why hath not Christ himself described his Gospel with Letters in writing But only Taught and left it afterwards to his Apostles to write it down 116. Question Why must it be the very * Mark 10.33 Math. 27.1 41. High Priests and Scribes or Scripture learned who taught the People that must speak against or contradict Christ and would readily mock him and condemn him continually to death Why must not the worldly Magistracy doe it or the Common people What doth that signifie 117. Question Why must there be such a way and processe observed toward Christ †Mat. 26.67 ch 27.26 to the 34. with Mockings reproaching derision or scorn and scourging before his Passion Why did God suffer that to be so done 118. Question Why must the very Teachers of the Law bring Christ to the judgement and yet must be put to Death by the * Math. 27.2 Heathenish Magistracy What doth that signifie 119. Question Why must Christ suffer and †Mat. 27.50 dye Was God to doe it for such a Revenge sake that he might attone and reconcile or appease himself could he not otherwise forgive Sinnes 120. Question What is the Figure of the Two Murtherers Luke 23.33 which were hanged on a Crosse on Each side of Christ And why must Christ dye on a wooden Crosse and Not otherwise 121. Question How †Heb. 2.14 Phil. 2.8 did Christ slay Death on the Crosse with his dying How came that to passe 122. Question Why must Christ * Ioh. 19.31 34 and 20.25 Col. 2.14 be nailed to the Crosse And why Must his Side be opened with a Spear out of which Bloud and Water ran How doe these signifie in the Figure 123. Question Why must Christ †Math. 27. from 39. to the 50. be reproached on the Crosse 124. Question Whether also was the divine Power * Ioh. 19.34 in the Bloud which Christ shed or poured unto the Earth 125. Question Why did †Math. 27.51 Three Principles ch 25. ver 44 45. the Earth Tremble when Christ hung on the Crosse 126. Question What did †Luke 23.46 See the 37. Question of the forty Questions of the Soul the Darknesse signifie which at that time came over all Nature 127. Question Wherefore did Christ in his Death * Luke 23.44 Mysterium Magnum ch 23. ver 3. commend his Soul into his Fathers Hand What is that Hand of God 128. Question Why did some * Luke 23.48 Convert and turn again when they saw what was done at the dying of Christ and the High Priests not Why must they be blind and hardened to this work 129. Question What was †Acts 2.27 31 Heb. 2.14 Christs going to Hell where he overcame Death and the Devil 130. Question How did 〈◊〉 * 1 Pet. 3.19.20 preach to the Spirits which in the Tiâ—â—â—oah believed not 131. Question 〈…〉 â—hrists Rest in the †Math. 27.63 64. ch 28.1 Luke 24.1.7 Grave signifie 〈…〉 lye forty houres in the Grave 132. Question 〈◊〉 must * Mâ—th 27.64 65 66. Christs Grave be guarded with W â—â—â—rs What doth that signifie that the Hiâ—h Priests would resist or oppose Gods Power and Might and would keep Christ in the Grave 133. Question Why did the Evangelist say that * Math. 28.2 to the 9. the Angell removed the Great Stone from the door or Mouth of the Grave Could not Christ have risen else out of the Grave 134. Question What is the Power of Christs Resurrection through the Death How * Col. 2.14 15. did he make a triumphant shew of Death on his Body What was it then that he did with it 135. Question What manner of †Rev. 3 8. Door hath Christ through Death in our humanity opened in the Anger and Righteousness of God whereby we may enter into God How is that done 136. Question What doth the Pilgrimage * Luke 24. from the 13. to the 31. vers Journey of the two Disciples from Jerusalem to Emaus signifie where they complained in anxiety for their Master and yet Christ walked among them and enquired of them and taught them And yet they knew him not 137. Question Why did Christ after his Resurrection first appear to †Mark 16.9 10 11. John 20.14 to the 19. a Woman and not to the Disciples 138. Question Why did Christ * Luke 24.42 Joh. 20.19 26. after his Resurrection eat of the †broyled Fish with his Disciples And Entered into them through a shut door and taught them 139. Question Why did not Christ after his Resurrection shew himself to Every one But to some only 140. Question Why did Christ * Act. 1.2 3. Three Principles ch 25. from the 75. ver to the 98. after his Resurrection Converse forty dayes upon Earth before he went or was taken up to Heaven What doth that signifie 141. Question What is †Math. 24.51 Mark 16.19 Act. 1.9 Three Principles ch 25. from 98. verse to the end Christs going or Ascention to Heaven That he did visibly ascend Whither is he arrived and where is he now at present 142. Question What signifie * Acts 1.11 the Two Men in shining Garments who said ye Men of Galilee why look ye up after him this JESUS who is taken from you to Heaven will come again as ye have seen him Ascend or goe to Heaven Acts 1.11 143. Question †Three Principles ch 26. verse 1 2. thence to the 13. Why must * Acts 2.1 His Ascention was forty Dayes after his Resurrection or the Passeover or Easter And ten Dayes after his Ascention to the Day of Pentecost which was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quinquagessuna dies the fiftieth day or seven weeks day or the Morrow after the seventh Sabbath which was called the Feast of Weeks or First-fruits Math. 26.2 Mark 14.1 2. â—uke 22.1 John 13.1 the Passover was the fourteenth day of the first Month. Exod. 12 1â— Levit. 23.5 Numb 28.16 in the Month Abib Exod. 13.4.23.15 and 34.18 the Feast of the first Fruits of thy Labours thou hast sown in the field Exod. 23.16 the feast of weeks Exod. 34.22 And from the Morrow after the Sabbath of the Passover you shall count Seven Sabbaths that is seven times seven which is forty nine and the Morrow after maketh fifty dayes Levit. 23.15 16. Numb 28.26 The Feast of Weeks Deut. 16.9 the Disciples of Christ yet wait ten Dayes from his Ascention for the sending of the Holy Ghost Why was not that done Instantly 144. Question What is this that the Disciples must †Luk. 24.49 Ioh. 15.26 Acts 1.4 wait and Continue together till the Holy Ghost came 145. Question What is the Feast of Acts 2.1 to the 4. 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 146. Question How is the difference or distinction of Languages among them to be understood That they have at one instant Spoken all Languages at once in one sence so that People of †Acts 2.5 to the 14. all Nations understood them 147. Question What doth this * Ioel. 2.28 Act. 2.17 18. shedding forth of the Holy Ghost out of Christs Death Resurrection and Ascention to Heaven profit or benefit us How may that be also effected in us 148. Question What is the †Rom. 2.27 29. and 7.6 Litteral Word and the * 2 Cor. 3.6 Living Word Christ in this shedding forth one with the other How became they distinguished seeing all did not hear the Holy Ghost Teach from the Mouth of the Apostles for †Acts 2.13 one sort of them said They are full of sweet Wine these heard indeed Mans-word but not Christ teaching in his * Phil. 3.10 Resurrection 149. Question How doth Christ himself Teach presentially in the Office of Preaching And yet sitteth at the right hand of the Power of God Or among whom doth Christ Teach what is a * John 10.2 Shepherd or Pastour in the Spirit of Christ And a Teacher of the †2 Cor. 3.6 Letter without the Spirit of Christ Each in his Office 150. Question * Math. 18.18 19 20. What is the Office of the Keys Math. 18.18 John 20.22 23. How may they become rightly used Or who is worthy or fit for this Office of the Keys and Capable thereof How i◠this to be understood Whether is Christ himself in the Office or whether is he himself the Office Or whether hath he freely given it to Man so that he may without Christs Spirit forgive Sinnes Or how is it done 151. Question What is Christs Testament together with the †Luke 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.20 to the 29. 34. See the Treatise of the Two Testaments of Christ Last Supper with Bread and Wine How is Christ really enjoyed * John 7.51 to the 66. The two Testaments What manner of Flesh and Bloud is it And what is the Mouth to eat it with 152. Question What is the place in Man wherein Christs Flesh and Bloud Continueth as he himself saith †Iohn 6.56 Whosoever eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Bloud he continueth in me and I in him John 6.56 Also * Iohn 6.53 If you doe not eat the Flesh of the Sonne of Man and drink his Bloud then ye have no Life in you John 6.53 153. Question How is Man and how doth he become †Iohn 15.5 The two Testaments a Branch on the Vine Stock of Christ How doth Christ dwell in him and yet sit at the Right Hand of God in Heaven Also how can he sit at the right Hand of God in Man and yet the outward Man not be he 154. Question What manner of Christian is a * 1 Cor. 4.20 Iam. 1.21 22. The two Testaments 1. Ioh. 3.18 Titulary Christian in Name only without or out of Christ who only Comforteth himself and imputeth Christs Merits to himself and yet is unregenerate of the Spirit of Christ and Liveth Beastially Whether also doth he in such working or doing belong unto Christ Or what doth he receive in Christs Supper 155. Question Whether also may Christs †Ioh. 6.56 The two Testaments Flesh and Bloud become enjoyed by Believers without or out of the Testamentory Ordinance and Observation Or how may that be done 156. Question Why hath Christ ordained and instituted this Testament and said So oft as we doe it The two Testaments we should doe it in his remembrance 1 Cor. 11.25 To what profit and benefit is it done with Bread and Wine and not without Or whether may it also become enjoyed or participated without Bread and Wine 157. Question Whether is the true Testamentary enjoyment or participation The two Testaments bound meerly to the Apostolicall practice and Observation Or whether also Men have power or authority to alter and change this Ordinance as is done now adayes 158. Question Whether also is the Testament powerfull in the altered or changed Ordinance or Not 159. Question See the 5. ch concerning the Supper What doe the Learned when they reproach one another about Christs Testaments and the pretious Covenant of Grace And disgrace one another and give one another up to the Devill about it Whether doe they also mannage the Office of Christ whether is that right or wrong whether also is this done as a Minister of Christ Or whom doe they serve thereby 160. Question See the Theosophical Epistle Which is the very Mark of a right Christian upon Earth whereby Men may distinguish him from a Titulary-Christian 161. Question What is properly a Christian within and without How is he a * 1 Cor. 6.19 Temple of the Holy Ghost in which the Kingdome of God is inwardly revealed or Manifested How doth he walk and †Phil. 3.20 converse in Heaven and upon Earth both at once 162. Question What is the * Iohn 4.3 Antichrist upon Earth under Christianity 163. Question What is * Rev. 16.19 and 17.5 and 18.10 to the 22. and 19.20 and 17.1 to the 16. and 19.2 Babell or Babylon the Beast and the Whore in the Apocalips or Revelations 164. Question What is the Ruine of the Beast and how is it Effected that the Seven-headed Beast should become cast into the Abysse 165. Question How doth Christ then take in the Kingdome when this Beast becometh slain 166. Question What is the true New †Mat. 19.28 Regeneration in the Spirit of Christ Is it done in this time or after this Time 167. Question What is the * Rev. 13.14 dying of a True Christian What of him dyeth 168. Question What is the dying of the Wicked in that it is called an †Rev. 20.14 15. Eternal Dying 169. Question Whither goeth the Soul See the 21. Question of the forty Questions of the Soul when it parteth from the Body be it blessed or not 170. Question What are the Doings and Life of Souls See the 22. Question of 40. Questions till the Last Judgement Day 171. Question What is the * Jude 6. John 12.48 Question 30. in the forty Questions Last Judgement or how is it Effected 172. Question How is the †John 11.24 1 Cor. 15.52 in thirty Question Resurrection of the Dead Effected What Riseth again 173. Question How doth * 1 Joh. 2.17 2 Pet. 3.10 13. In the 30. Question this World passe away or vanish And what doth remain thereof afterward 174. Question What shall be after this Worlds Time †1 Cor. 15.24 to the 28. When God shall be all in all when the Dominions shall cease 1 Cor. 15.24 28. 175. Question Question the
viz as to one part to the Commandement with their Will directed into Gods Will as the first Patriarchs and all the honest good People of Israell 96. The other acted with their Hands the Works of the Law and clave with their Will to their poysonous Magia viz to Covetousness and sought nothing Else but the Numbers of the Multiplicity 97. Their Mouth was a Jew and the Heart a Babylonish Whore an Hypocrite and Antichrist with good words and a false covetous Heart 98. And thus in Christendome and with all People and Nations is the Babylonish Whore together with Antichrist sitting and there in one only People two Kingdomes dwell at once and they let themselves not mix in the inward Spirit so that they become one * Dan. 2.43 as Lime and Iron mingle not 99. They doe indeed mingle themselves according to the outward Body But their Spirits are of two sorts of Tribes or Generations as the Prophet Daniel saith Daniel 2. from 40. to the 45. verse 100. Therefore whosoever will know the Antichrist let them seek him only thus they will find him in every House but the worst of all is the Crowned Whore and her God-mothers who elevate her out of the Baptisme of Whoredome that they also may live in Number of the Multiplicity viz the Cryers who lead from the one Will of God into Many Wills that they alone may inherit the Number of the Multiplicity and may stuffe of fatten Earthly Bellies 101. And the other part belonging to the Free-Will of God goeth forth with the Magick Will hereof out of it self into the Liberty viz into the one only incomprehensible Will of God and it standeth * In the Philosophick Globe in the 40. Questions of the Soul turned Backward in the Magick Figure 102. The Life thereof seeketh Bread and goeth forward and its Will is not in the Bread but goeth out of it self out of the seeking into God into one only Number these are the right Children of the Eternall Mâ—gia 103. For Gods Spirit dwelleth in their Will and openeth to them the Eternall Wonders of God and their Lifes Spirit openeth the Wonders of this World and they are free from Babell and the Antichrist though indeed they should sit in the Bosome thereof for the right true Image of God standeth in the Spirit of the willing which becometh generated out of the Spirit of the Soul The Ninth Text. 104. WHereas then there are thus two Magia's in one another so there are also two Magi which manage and drive them viz two Spirits the one is Gods Spirit and the other the Spirit of Reason into which the Devill insinuates himself and in the Spirit of God the Love of the Unity stirreth it self 105. †Note And Man cannot better try and prove himself then by taking serious Consideration To what his Desire and Lust or Longing driveth him The same he hath for a Conductor and its Child he is 106. Neverthelesse he hath Now Might and Strength that he can break and alter that Will for he is Magicall and hath the Might or Ability Yet it must be Sincere or Earnest for he must Tame or subdue the Starry Spirit which ruleth in him Note Note 107. To this belongeth a Temperate sober and quiet Life with continuall giving up into the Will of God for the taming or subduing of the Source or Quality of the Starres there is no Wisdome nor Art needfull but Sobriety or Temperance of Life with continuall going out from the Influxes or * Instigations of Evill in Lusts and Passions Instigations the Elements continually dart into him the seeking of the Starres into the Will 108. Therefore it is not so easie a thing to become a Child of God to that belongeth great Labour and Toyle 109. And yet the Antichrist dares call himself a Child of God but Christ saith * Math. 7.21 22 23. They shall not all come into the Kingdome of Heaven that say LORD LORD and have not we Cast out Devils in thy Name and done great works but he faith to them away from me ye stinking Goats I know you not you have done this out of the false or wicked Magia and are not become known in my Spirit and Will 110. Ye are in your Spirituall Figure Goats Tyrants Covetous Proud Stately Voluptuous ye have brought my Name on to your Tongue but have sacrificed your Heart to the Pleasures and Voluptuousnesse of the Flesh and are generated in the Turba ye must be tryed through the Fire and so Each Kingdome getteth home its Fruit. 111. Therefore ye brave World behold your self in these Writings which have set before you the Eternall Ground and Consider further and deeper concerning it else you will become captivated in your Turba and there you shall with your Substance goe through the Fire of God and whatsoever is †1 Cor. 3.13 14 15. a work without the Will of God that shall remain in the Fire but whatsoever is generated in the Will of God that shall stand to Gods Glory and deeds of Wonder and to the Eternall Joy of the Image of Man 112. Now Consider what thou doest For Babell standeth already in the Flames and beginneth to Burn there is no Quenching or Extinguishing More nor no Remedy or Medicine she is become known to be Evill her Kingdome goeth to the End Hal-le-lu-jah The 8 of May. 1620. The Translation into the Nether-dutch was the second time made 1642. in July out of Three written High-dutch Copies Out of which Nether-dutch this was translated into English Saturday 6. of February 1657 8. Old Stile And compared with a High-dutch Copie The Holy Week Or A PRAYER-BOOK In which is mentioned the true Ground of Right Praying Set forth upon the entreaties and desires of his loving and good Friends for the daily Exercise of True Christianity in their Hearts and Little Church of their Families In the Year 1624. left unfinished By Jacob Behme Teutonicus Philosophus Englished by JOHN SPARROW London Printed by M. S. for Lodowick Lloyd and are to be sold at the Castle in Cornhill 1661. The brief Contents of this Prayer-Book for Every Day in the Week HOw Man should continually consider and call to mind his Employment Office or Duty his State Condition and Conversation wherein God hath set and ordained him and how he should Commit and Commend his Beginning Middle and End of all his Doings to God and Continually work all his Works with and IN God just as the Stock of the Tree generateth its Branches with and IN the power of the Root and bringeth forth its Fruit upon them And how in all his Beginnings he should draw Power and Vertue to his Works out of Gods Fountain or Well-spring and thank his Creatour for all Benefits Together with a hearty Consideration of the Suffering Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ shewing how Man should continually bring his Soules hunger and desire through Christs Death in his Resurrection into
with vanity yet its Will should come clearly before God that it might begin to work in its Will and afterwards also daily mortifie the Vanity of the Flesh 26. So very firmly must the Will of the Soul together with the desire be directed to God that it say with Jacob when he wrestled with God the whole night LORD I will not let thee goe unlesse thou blesse me Gen. 32.26 27. And though the heart as it were fainteth staggereth and doubâ—eth and all manner of hinderances fall in yet the Will must continue standing and firmly Image imprint or apprehend the Grace and resolve not to depart from it 28. And though the Devill driveth the Lust of the Flesh aloft at which the Soul is terrified and thinketh it is therefore cast out from God yet the Will should then hang to the Grace as a Child to the Mothers Breast and Continually strive against the Devill and his desire in Flesh and Bloud till at last it prevaileth and in the Spirit of Christ overcometh the Devill and then afterwards he will find and see great Wonders in himself and will know that it is true that there is such great Joy in Heaven concerning a Converting Soul more then for Ninety Nine righteous which need not such repentance Luke 15. 20. Therefore whosoever will pray aright must firmly Imagine or resolve that he will come to the Grace and Salvation and certainly attain that which he prayeth for 30. Therefore also his Prayer should be so directed that it runneth not contrary to the Ordinance of God but should think and resolve that in his Prayer he will co-work with God As the Wood of the Tree co-worketh with the Trees power so also should the desire only work with Gods Power Else its Prayer is only a working in the Shell or Bark of the right Lifes Tree for it worketh therewith only outwardly in the Elements and NOT inwardly in and with God 31. But he that prayeth aright worketh inwardly with God and generateth or bringeth forth outwardly Good Fruits as the Tree bringeth forth its power and letteth it self be seen with the Power in the Fruit and so also the true divine Power in Man letteth it self be seen outwardly with or by Good Works and Vertues 32. Else there is no Faith there unlesse the Work follow Else the Prayer is but dissembling Hypocrisie and maketh only an outward form and reacheth not the Place or City of God This I would not Conceal or forbear to intimate to my good Friends and fellow Brethren in Christian Love out of my little Cabinet-Treasure as a Christian Information how a Man should be prepared to Pray And though I know that they themselves stand together with me in such a Work and are capable and partakers of the Gift of the Holy Spirit yet I would in this and the following Prayers somewhat refresh my self with them and out of my Power and Gift declare and impart the Grace of God to them as one Light kindleth another so also one Gift of God kindleth the other that we might refresh our selves together in One Love which is Christ in us all and I also thus enjoy of your divine Gift that together may take growth into the Praise of God and bear much Fruit. And would have these following Prayers written for Every day in the week wherein then a Man may therewith fit his particular State according to his occasion only for the Stirring up and awakening of the Good Gifts which before-hand are in you all Not to begin once more from the Ground and Beginning of Christian Teaching but for an Exercise and awakening And so I commend you all into the working Love of Jesus Christ and my self into your Brotherly and Christian Favour An Introduction How a Man should prepare himself to such Order Ordinance and Exercise to right Praying Christian Loving Reader 33. RIght Praying is in right Earnest Sincerity and it must be earnest else it availeth nothing in the Presence of God For if we will rightly Pray then we must think no otherwise but that we stand before Gods clear and bright Countenance before the holy Trinity and before the Quires of his holy Angels 34. And that God in our Prayer proveth our Soul Spirit and Heart and beholdeth our Will totally most inwardly whether it be totally inclined to him whether the Will have totally given it self up to him 35. And if that be so then He toucheth the Will with the Power of his holy Spirit and rouseth it that it may become rightly desirous and hungry after the Grace so that then he beginneth earnestly to go OUT from self and presseth or penetrateth INTO Gods Compassion Pitty and Mercy 36. For in own self Power the Will is too too weak but when the Divine Power toucheth it then it becometh awakened so that it becometh fiery and rightly desirous in which desire God himself worketh and then Man Speaketh rightly with God and God speaketh operatively with the Soul of that Man 37. Such Speaking or Working is nothing else but that the poor Soul eateth of Gods Mercy which he hath turned to us again through the Death of Christ and quickneth or refresheth it self with the Balsame of divine Love in Christ wherein it becometh Strong against the Temptation or Assaults of the Devill 38. For the Divine Hearing is the Grace-Power which God hath in the Name JESUS introduced into the Humanity again and opened again to us ALL an Open Gate to his hearing whereby we can hear God Speak operatively in us how he inspeaketh or inspireth his Mercifulness into us through that opened Grace-Gate and on the other side the Soul speaketh through the same open Gate in it self with God And becometh in such inspeaking or inspiration fed and quickened from Gods out-speaking also enlightened and renewed 39. For it eateth of the oui-breathing of God that is become MAN viz the Flesh and Bloud of Christ after that kind and way as an Hearb eateth the Suns Power and Vertue in it self whence it is tinctured and balsamed and becometh good so that it groweth and blossometh so also the Soul from the divine Sun whence it becometh full of Light and powerfull 40. This now is the profit fruit and benefit of right praying which profit or benefit no outward Mouth and no Will averted from God can attain but only the inverted which totally giveth it self up to God 41. Now if any would have this done then must the Will turn away from all other Creatures and from all Earthly things and nakedly stand before God that the Work or Frame of the Creatures or of whatsoever it will pray for from God in Temporall things may only follow after in the Flesh and stand behinde the pure Will that the pure Will may bring the Necessities of the Body before God and that the Flesh it self may NOT co-work with its Lust else it bringeth earthly Lust into the divine Soulish working 42. Therefore there belongeth alwayes to right
Earnest Praying if we would obtain any thing from God a right true Repentance and in-turned Humility For right Praying is a receiving of that which the Soul desireth concerning which Christ saith From henceforth the Kingdome of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force to themselves Math. 11.12 43. For which cause I will set down a brief Form of a Confession or Preparation how a Man should prepare himselfe when he will bring his short Prayer and Requests before God 44. For he may as well be heard in a short Prayer as with many words if his heart stand right in the presence of God It needeth not long Prayers or many words but only a Beleiving or faithfull repentant Soul which with totall Earnestnesse giveth it self up into the Mercy of God into Gods Compassion For one onely sigh worketh with God if the Will standeth nakedly or purely before God and hath cast away from it the Earthly Garment viz the false or wicked Lust This for an Intimation to the Reader and for a quickening stirring to him 45. For there needeth not to be used just such a Form of Confession but the Holy Spirit will well enough make a Form for him in the heart when the Will in true earnest Sincerity turneth it self to God 46. Only for an Introduction to every one who doth not yet know how a true Prayer should be fitted I will set down this Confession to direct his Soul therewith and I will commit the work of Confession together with the Praying to the Holy Spirit in every Soul which is truly and rightly Earnest He will well enough make for him a Confession and Prayer if any doe but earnestly sincerely and rightly come to the Gate where GOD the LORD in Man Speaketh operatively Then he will find it so A Confession and Right Acting or Working of Repentance before Gods Countenance 47. O Deepest of all Greatest Unsearchable Holy God! Thou who out of meer Grace and Mercy after the terrible apostacy of our first Parents with thy great Love and Mercy in thy Sonne JESUS CHRIST hast manifested thy self in our Humanity and in him hast made an open Gate of Grace again for us poor Men to thy Countenance and abolished Sinne and Death in his Bloud and callest us now to such Grace as a Mercifull God we poor Sinners now should only Convert again and come to thee and thou wilt quicken or refresh us Math. 11.28 48. I poor unworthy sinfull Man come upon the invitation of thy Word and acknowledge to thee that I am not worthy of such Grace which thou offerest us For I Stick in the Slime of Vanity and am Laden with vain Lusts of the Flesh and own-self Will my Sinnes have captivated and obscured me so that I neither tast nor see thy Grace in me also I have no Right Trust or Confidence nor Faith towards thee and have totally given my self up into the vanity of the World and of the Flesh and am compassed about therewith 49. I have defiled my fair bright Garment which thou hast put on to me in the Baptisme with the Lust of the Flesh and lye in the Devils Net captive in thy fierce Wrath. Hell setteth its Jaws wide open against me and my Conscience gnaweth me thy Judgement standeth alwayes before me and the Bands of Death wait upon me 50. I lye in the slime and mire of Sinnes and Vanity so that also I neither know my Sinnes nor can bewail them For they have hidden me from thy Countenance and I have only yet a little sparkle of the living breath in me through thy drawing which desireth thy Grace 51. And I come now before thee with the Lost Sonne and the Publican in the Temple and fly to thy Mercy and pray thee in my weak power through the Bitter Suffering and Dying of my Redeemer JESUS CHRIST whom thou hast Set before thee for a Grace-Throne and offerest us thy Grace through his Satisfaction that thou wouldst receive me yet again for thy Child and Heir in thy Sonne and wouldst awaken for me a right Earnest Repentance also Sorrow and Grief for my former committed Sinnes in my Heart that I may goe out from the wicked way or Conversation and turn my heart totally and altogether to THEE 52. O Great God strengthen I beseech thee my weak Faith in Me rouse my heart I pray thee that it may acknowledge and bewaile my manifold Sinnes Touch thou my poor Soul with thy Power that it may acknowledge it self that it standeth deviated and turned away from thee 53. O thou Breath of the Mercifulnesse of God doe thou draw me to thee through my Redeemer Jesus Christs Death and Resurrection and abolish my Sinnes in his Bloud and Death and make my poor Soul living in his Bloud and wash it clean from its Sinnes that its desire may presse into thee O thou Holy God! and fetch Power out of thy Spring or Fountain of Grace 54. Awake thou I pray thee in me a right hunger and thirst after true Repentance and Sorrow for my former committed Sinnes that I may hate or be at Enmity and angry against them and turn my self to Thee 55. O thou great deep of Mercy I am afar off from thee and cannot reach thee in my weak Power turn thee to me I beseech thee and comprehend my desire into thee and kindle it O Lord that I may tast thy Grace 56. Forgive I pray thee my Trespasses and Sinnes and heal my weaknesse bruise I pray thee my Heart and Soul that I may acknowledge and humble my self before thee Be thou I pray thee my beginning to Conversion and lead me upon the right path that I may walk with thee 57. Give me I pray thee thy holy Spirit in my Soul and Spirit and Sanctifie me in thy Grace As thy beloved Sonne Jesus Christ hath engaged to me saying My Father will give the holy Spirit to them that pray unto him for it Luke 11.13 Also Knock and so it will be opened unto you Math. 7.7 Luke 11.9 58. Now come I poor Sinner upon the Invitation of thy Word and take to me thy Saying in my Soul and Heart and will not leave off from thee unless thou blesse me with JACOB 59. And though indeed my Sinnes are many yet thou art God and the Eternall Truth which cannot Lye where thou hast Spoken in the Prophet Isaiah If we Convert and Repent then we shall be snow-white as wool Isai 1.18 60. Upon thy Saying I trust and give my self totally and altogether up to thee and pray thee receive me into Grace and bring me to thy Children who walk in the way of the Living and let me walk with them and enter into thy Commandement give me a true humble and obedient Heart that may alwayes fear before thy Anger and Sinne no more 61. O thou Well-Spring or Fountain of all Grace what shall I say before thee Or why should I flatter my self and comfort my evill Will
of God thou who movest in and over Heaven and Earth and art NEER unto ALL things pour forth thy self also I pray thee IN me that I may become new born again in thee and Sprout forth in thee and work good Fruits as a Branch on the Vine JESUS CHRIST to thy Eternall Praise and Glory 79. O thou Gate of the Holinesse of God shine I pray thee in thy Temple in my Spirit so that I may walk in thy Light and alwayes praise thee and serve thee in Righteousness and Holinesse as it is pleasing to thee who art ONE Eternall God Father Sonne and Holy Spirit highly praised in Eternity AMEN Now follow the Prayers upon EVERY DAY in the WEEK at Mornings Noones and Evenings shewing how Man should be in Continuall Exercise and Working 80. CHRIST said to his Disciples Watch and Pray that ye fall not into Temptation Math. 26.41 And Saint Peter saith Your Adversary or Accuser the Devill goetâ—â—â—bâ—ut as a Roaring Lyon and seeketh whom he may devoure 〈◊〉 withstand stedfast in the Faith in Prayer and in Hope that your heart may be defended or preserved against such Darts of the Evill one or Wickedness 1 Pet. 5.8 9. A Prayer on MUNDAY A short Prayer and Sigh penetrating to God when a Man waketh Early before he riseth 81. O Living God who hast made Heaven and Earth my Eyes look upon thee and rejoyce at thy Goodnesse that thou art so gracious and hast held thy hand over me in this dark Night and also defended and kept me by thy holy Angels from all hurt and Mischief 82. To thee thou living Source Quality or Fountain I presse and Blesse my self with the Holy Crosse on which thou didst worry Death and brought Life to us again through the Bloud of our Lord JESUS CHRIST in the Name * Of the Cross of of God the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Spirit Amen A Prayer and Thanksgiving when and as Man riseth I Thank thee O God my heavenly Father through JESUS CHRIST thy Dearly beloved Sonne our Lord and Saviour for all Benefits for thy Gracious protection and defence in that thou hast held thy hand over me and preserved me this Night from the Devils Subtlety and Treachery and from all Evill 84. And Commend now my Body and Soul to thee and all that thou hast given me and hast set me therein to be thy Servant or Minister into thy hand Also all my Senses Thoughts and Desires Rule and Govern me I pray thee this Day and all times with thy holy Spirit and lead me in right Paths 85. Giâ—â—â—e thy Word in my heart and teach me thy Truth that I may speak think or doe nothing but that which is right and Truth 86. Defend me from Lying and all evill Wicked Men which walk and converse in Lying and deceit that I may not follow after them but bring forth thy Truth in my heart and walk in right paths 87. Draw thou and put on to my Heart and Soul the Garment of Salvation and the Cloak of Righteousnesse and Purity and wash my heart with the Bloud of the Lamb JESUS CHRIST 88. Let my Eyes behold thy way that I may walk and converse therein Give me thy holy Angell that he may lead and conduct me and protect me from the Devils Suggestions or Representations and false or evill Net that I may not suffer my self to Lust after unrighteousnesse 89. Give me Chast and Modest Eyes that no evill or false Lust awake in me and protect me from Anger and Cursing that I may not misuse thy Name but so walk as is most pleasing and acceptible to thee through JESUS CHRIST thy dearly beloved Sonne our Lord and Saviour Amen A Prayer when we dresse our selves and wash O Eternall God by this Garment I call to mind the Garment of Innocency of our first Parents when they needed no such clothing or Garment as this which Earthly Cloathing or Garment took its beginning through Sinne. 91. O Mercifull God thou hast brought us again the fair bright Paradisicall Garment in thy Sonne JESUS CHRIST put it I pray thee on to my Soul seeing the Earthly Body is not worthy of it Till I shall once rise again out of the * Or Ashes Dust of the Earth and then thou wilt totally cloath me upon with the Cloaths or Garment of thy Power and Glory this I believe and hope according to thy Word And as I now wash me with outward Water so O Dear God wash also I pray thee my Heart and Soul with the Bloud of the Lamb JESUS CHRIST that I may be pure and clean before thee and be acceptable to thee as thy Bride and embrace Me in thy Armes as thy dearly beloved Bride whom thou hast Betrothed and Married to thee in the Faith and in the Love 92. O LORD Jesus Christ put on to me I pray thee the Garment of thy Innocency wherein thou in our Garment hast taken upon thee the scorn of ALL Men. 93. Thou hast O Lord JESUS CHRIST laid off from thee our Earthly Cloathes or Garment in thy Suffering and Dying the Souldiers plucked them off from thee and hast offered thy self naked and Bare to thy Eternall Father and hast thereby obtained for us the pure Garment of Innocency which our Father Adam had on him before his fall †Gen. 2.25 when he knew that he was Naked 94. O Dear Lord JESUS Put it on again I pray thee to my poor Soul Thou art indeed therefore come into our Humanity because thou wilt help us and bestow upon us the Garment of thy Power receive I pray thee my Mind into thy Garment that the same may in that Garment enter before God thy Father and pray unto him 95. O Lord JESUS CHRIST I cannot without the Garment of thy Power and Satisfaction come before God My Prayer can not otherwise â—â—tain â—o reach the City or Place of the Deity unlesse thou â—â—â—â—st my Mind and Desire upon with the Victory of thy resuâ—â—â—ction Wherein alone with my Mind I can come to thy â—â—â—â—â—nly Father 96. Therefore now thus I give thee my Mind and Will totally for thy own propriety Cloath thou it Lord JESU with thy Power even as I at present cloath the Body with Earthly Garments and wash thou away all impurity from my Mind 97. As I now wash my Face with Water so wash thou also my Mind inwardly with the Power of thy Grace so that it may be ready and chearfull to behold thee and have a Loathing against all Falshood or Wickednesse and Impurity of Lying Untruth Pride Covetousnesse Envy and Anger and all whatsoever is against God 98. As I now wash with outward Water so O Dear GOD wash thou my Heart and Soul I pray thee also with the Bloud of the Lamb JESUS CHRIST that I may be pure before thee and be acceptible to thee as thy Bride embrace me in thy Armes as thy Beloved Bride which thou in Faith
praise thee and rejoyce themselves and are Glad IN thy Power 134. Above all this hast thou O Great God made my Mind a Knoweresse and Companion or Play-fellow of thy Wisdome that I should praise thee therein and help to promote and Manage thy Wonder Works Thou hast had thy good Pleasure therein that thou hast subjected such power under me and hast given me to work in all things and Made ALL to be my own 135. O Great God in CHRIST JESUS where is now my Might and Glory It is indeed blind obscure and dark bring me again I pray thee into my place of thy Creation that I may become seeing again in this Light and know thy Wonders Lighten thou I pray thee again my Outward Sun and Moon-Light that I in the outward Substance may learn to know thy Inward Power 136. O thou Infinite Endlesse Every where lightening Light of the Great HIDDENNESSE give me I pray thee thy Beames of thy hidden Glory that I in my Light may see the Light of thy Shining 137. O thou Fire and Light of the Great INWARDNESSE take pitty and have mercy upon my Misery and help me out of this obscure darksome house wherein I am captived 138. Give me I pray thee a true knowledge again of thy Substance to which thou hast in the beginning Imaged Formed or Framed the Mind in Nature and hast ordained or appointed the same to the willing of thy Figures and Creation 139. Bring me I pray thee again in CHRIST my Saviour into my Glory which I had and though indeed the Body in this Time is not worthy of it seeing it is become a stinking Carkasse yet through shine or enlighten I pray thee my Noble MIND being thy Expresse Image and let it in CHRIST my Saviour dwell in Heaven in the Communion and Fellowship of thy Holy Angels 140. Place thou it in the Noon or Midday of thy Wonders for which thou hast Imaged Formed or Framed it and Rule thou O Lord JESUS CHRIST as with thy Inheritance therewith over All things and help me that I may be humble and that I may not assume or usurp to my self what thou doest but may look after Thee and that my desire may praise thee and Continually live in thy Harmonie and without thee may desire NOT to begin or Doe any thing 141. O LORD thou holiest LIGHT of all let my Mind I pray thee dwell in thy Courts that it may from thy Glance which floweth forth from thee rejoyce it self and Eternally no more depart from thee but bring it again to the Communion and Society of the holy Angels whereto thou hast ordained or appointed it 142. O holy Name IMMANUEL IT is thine doe thou therewith what thou wilt AMEN A Prayer on Munday towards Evening to Consider the Toylsomnesse of the Labour of our hands in the Curse of Gods Anger Concerning the Climbing down or descending of the MIND 143. O GOD how miserable full of Affliction Sorrow Cumberance and Care is our Life Time full of Anguish and Tribulation when we suppose we stand upright and would rejoyce in the work of our hands then thou over-cloudest or over shadowest us with thy fierie Wrath and makest us that we are anxious and troubled 144. We run up and down and trouble our selves and there is none that pursueth or hunteth us but only thy Anger in Our Calamity and Corruption We consume our dayes as * Psal 90.9 a Tale that is told as a Discourse which will vanish so passe our Dayes away and we are alwayes in unquietness and disturbance Unstable is our Conversation We relie upon our own Arme and cleave to the work of our Hands and trust NOT totally to thee therefore thou lettest us go away in our Anxiety Perplexity and Torment 145. We never Consider that thou O God THY self doest and workest ALL for no Breath can without Thee stirre it self NOT the least Spile of Grasse without Thee can Crown the Earth 146. All this we see and yet build upon our Nothingnesse upon our handy-work and trust not thee aright 147. We gather together and enjoy it not A Stranger followeth who also vexeth and perplexeth himself THEREIN with Vanity and there is no Number or End of the Misery which we promote and Manage 148. O GOD Consider I pray thee our Toyle and Misery and turn thy Anger and Curse away from us and let us run to thy Limit or Goale again that we may come again into our Inheritance and rejoyce our selves in thy Wonders 149. Look I pray thee on the Anxiety of our Minds and the Contrivance of our Will and consider that we lie shut up in the substance of Dust 150. Release us we pray thee and raise us up O LORD And bring us home again For we are in a strange Country with a strange Mother which very much Scourgeth us in thy fierce Wrath and letteth us run on in very hunger and want of thy sweet Food 151. We must with the Lost Prodigall Sonne eat the Husks of Vanity our Garment is grown old and full of Reproach and we stand in great shame before thy Holiness the driver of thy Anger leadeth us captive when we suppose we have apprehended thee then thou hidest thy Countenance from us and lettest us faint and Fail 152. All this our own Will effecteth in that we turn our selves away from thee into Vanity and desire only transitory Matters we swimme with our Lust therein as the Fish in the Water and say alwaies to our Soul it hath no need or want Whereas yet we stand upon the Abysse of Hell and the fierce wrathfull Death expecteth us every Moment We walk all towards the Night and run towards our Graves as a swift Messenger runneth his Journey 153. O Lord JESU Continue we pray thee with and in us and teach us to Consider that our outward Life upon which we so much trust runneth towards the Evening and to its End So that it is very soon done with us And teach us to walk the right way Be thou I pray thee with us on the Path of this Pilgrimage and lead us home to thee 154. When our Night draweth neer and that Death setteth its Jawes so wide open after our Flesh and outward Life and swalloweth us up into it self and grindeth us to powder like Ashes Then take us we pray thee into thy Power and let us be as sweetest Bread in the Essence of thy out flown or out-breathed words of thy Mouth 155. Help I pray thee my DEAR GOD that I may continually think on this that My outward Life continually every Moment goeth on towards the Evening towards Dirt and Dung That I alwayes come neerer and neerer to the Night of Earth that the Course of my Life is only a Course to the Grave where the * Job 19.26 Wormes will Consume me 156. O LORD Whatsoever is here an abomination to me into the very Jawes thereof I must fall and give my self up to it
World 173. Thou hast set him for a Regent or Governour over thy Works of Wonder and given him no Commandement nor Law but this that he should not bring himself into own Lust and Willing but should only Work and Will in thy Will given to HIM in thy Power and not bring himself into own receptibility to Prove Trie or Experiment Good and Evill that the fierce Wrath of the Fire and the Might or Power of the Darknesse might not awake in him and destroy the Noble Image and change it into the Sharpnesse of the Earth but should only Will and work in thy Will given to him in thy Power 174. But seeing our first Parents through Satans in Speaking of Lies have turned away from thy Willing and brought themselves into own willing and against thy Commandement proved Good and Evill and suffered themselves to Lust after the perceptibility and own receptibility Whereby the Anger and fierce Wrath awaked in them and destroyed the heavenly Image and turned it into an Earthly Image like the Beasts 175. Therefore hast thou O HOLY GOD given us thy Commandement and Law and set before us therein the heavenly divine form of full Obedience signifying what we have been and what we are in the Apostacie become And requirest of us that we in our Will should out of all Powers or Faculties and Senses or Thoughts only cleave to thee and work with thee alone 176. Yea thou requirest of us the Noble †Talent Pledge viz the Soul which thou hast in-breathed out of the inward Power of thy Name and Will and willest that the Soul which is flowed forth from thy Power may alone continue in thy Name and Power and Co-work with thee and it self use no other strange Name Will nor Lust but only and solely of that out of which it is flowed forth 177. That it Totally cleave to its Center and bring its desire only and solely into thy Love and with thy Love with thee rule over all thy Works and it self receive no own rule or dominion without thy Love and Co-working that it be thy Instrument wherewith thou governest all Matters Things or Substances of this World 178. It should introduce its Trust into no other Power nor Might also make Nothing its own peculiar also Image or form it self with Nothing For it is a Ray or Beam of the Almighty and should rule perfectly over all things as God himself and yet not in own self receptibility of its own Will but in and with God and use the body for its Instrument which should be a Manager of thy Creatures Thou hast given all to him for a Sport or Scene and Joy and subjected it under him 179. All this O Great God! thou settest before us in thy Commandements and requirest of us according to thy strong severe Righteousness and Eternall Truth upon pain of Eternall punishment that whosoever keepeth not all thy Commandements and Laws and continueth in thy Ordinance he shall be Cursed and be Seperated from thy Countenance and not see thy Glory Eternally nor come to thy Rest 180. O Great holy God! thou who art a Consuming Fire what shall I poor miserable Man who am full of disobedience of own Will and Lust and have no right Love or inclination towards thee say before thee What shall I answer thee when thou settest me before thy Judgement and tryest my Heart and Soul 181. O Dear God! I can doe nothing I stick in the slime or mire of vanity even unto the inwardness of my Soul thy Anger is burning in me In me live all Evill Beasts with their Lusts 182. O LORD my Lust in Soul and Body hath Imaged it self into * All Evill Beasts or Vices them and I am before thee a Worm and No Man also I cannot with this Imaging come before thy Countenance much lesse to thy holy Name viz to the Center of my Soul out of which it is sprung forth 183. I am ashamed in this Vizard before thy Countenance and have no Righteousness in Me towards thee I am become unfaithfull to thee and have broken my self off from thy Will and brought my self into own self Will. 184. And stand now before thy Countenance as the Lost Prodigall Sonne who is become a keeper of Swine and have lost the fair Garment of thy Power and every moment Eat with the Devils Swine the husks of vanity and am not worthy to be called thy Image and Similitude For I cannot be obedient to thee out of my own self powers or faculties I am in my self without thy Grace only a Source or Quality of thy fierce Wrath and Anger 185. But yet I rejoyce at thy great Mercifulness which thou out of thy Holy Name out of which my Soul is flowed forth hast turned to us again Yea thou hast opened the Gates of thy Eternall Vnity and poâ—red it into my Soul which destroyeth thy Wrath and breaketh the Monster to pieces 186. Yea thou hast with this pouring-in of thy most Inward Holiness and Sweetness impressed and imprinted the Name JESUS in my Soul which hath assumed or received my Soul and Humanity and is become obedient to THEE in my stead and hath fulfilled or satisfied thy Commandements and strong severe Law with perfect Love and Obedience 187. Therefore I come now with Thanksgiving to thee O Holy God and pray thee to make this thy bestowed Love of thy in-shed or poured Grace in me Great that I may now in this New Grace-Love be obedient to thee and fulfill thy Commandements and Law with the Obedience of JESUS CHRIST with his Love My Lord JESUS hath implanted me again into thy Name out of which my Father Adam had rooted me up 188. Therefore I now come in and with him to THEE and Comfort my self that I in him in his in-dwelling and in-ruling Grace and Love am and live in thy Obedience and that I in him can rule over Sinne Death the Devill the World and all Creatures and am become again thy right expresse Image and proper peculiar Portion in him my Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST 189. O DEAR GOD rule thou now through this in-poured Love of thy Grace in MEE and doe with and in me how thou wilt Only mortifie daily my evill Creatures in my Flesh and bind or unite thy self eternally with my Soul and Mind as thou hast done in the Humanity of JESUS CHRIST 190. I will readily leave my Evill Beast in the Flesh to the Earth till thy bringing again and Restitution Only cloath my Soul and Mind and bring the same into thy Obedience that it may seek and honour no other Name but only the Holy Name JESUS which in me fulfilleth thy Commandements AMEN The * Note this is according to Luthers Catechisme the 2. otherwise the 3. Commandement Second Commandement Thou shalt not misuse the Name of the Lord thy God for the Lord will not leave him unpunished that misuseth his Name 191. O Dear GOD This Commandement doth
which Spirituall growing in the beginning of the world grew through all the Four Elements and Imaged or propagated it self out from the Earth in all Fruits and changed all Properties of the Fiercenesse into the Temperature 11. But when the Properties of the fierceness with the Four Elements awakened through the averted or apostate desire and false or wicked Will of Adam and gat the dominion then this Sprouting or Vegetation flew back that is it remained standing in the Tincture of the inward Ground and it is yet still indeed in the Four Elements but yet only in the inward Pure Element and cannot become attained but only in the New Regeneration of the inward Man and in the Materiall Tincture wherein the Paradisicall working is also totally manifest for those that are OURS to understand 12. This Table sheweth from whence all Substances of this World are sprung and what the Creator is viz that the Creator is the Spirituall or divine power-world which the Unity viz the Eternall Will hath moved which Will is God himself 13. But the Seperatour or Divider was the Out-flown Will out of the Spirituall World which in that Motion is out-flown out of it self and hath made to it self an Object or reflex Image for its working where in such Motion there is alwayes flown forth one Object or reflex Image out of another even unto the most Externall Matter or Masse of the Earth 14. And that was through the divine Motion drawn into a Lump or Masse and that very attraction of the Motion remaineth still so and therefore all Matters in the Deep fall towards the Earth and this is the Cause thereof that the power of the Motion standeth still thus and will doe to the End of the Time 15. The seven Dayes and seven Planets signifie the seven Properties of the Spirituall World and the Three Principles in the Spirit of the World Tria Principia in Spiritu Mundi and in the Materiall inanimate and in the living Creatures as Salt Brimstone and Oyl or Sal Sulpher Mercurius signifie the Ternary or Trinity of the Divine Manifestation or Revelation as a perpetuall enduring Source Well-Spring or Fountain out of which all outward Creatures flow have flowen and yet will flow forth to the End of this Time and the Seperatour is therein understood with or in the seven Properties 16. And we see in this Table what is flown forth out of the seven Properties and how the Spirituall Power hath brought it self into a Materiall as in the Seven Spaces downwards in each of them is to be seen wherein a Man may understand out of what Evill and Good in this World is sprung forth The Explanation of the Third Table MICROCOSMOS 1. IN this Table is Man set forth or represented as an Expresse or Reflex Image of the Three Worlds as to Soul Spirit and Body What he was in the beginning as to his Creation and what he became in the Fall through the Spirit of Errour or Seduction and what he is become through the Spirit of Christ in the New Regeneration Which is a true reall substantiall Image out of the Three Principles of the divine Manifestation or Revelation viz out of the out-flown Word of the divine Willing 2. As to the Soul Man is the Eternall Nature of the fiery or fiering kind of disposition as a Sparkle out of the Center out of which the Fire originateth and if this Ground cannot attain or reach the divine Light then it is a Darknesse from the Magnetick attracting desiring power 3. But if it attain or reach the Light out from the Fire so that this Magnetick desire eateth of the Out-flown Vnity of Gods Love then the true Good Spirit Springeth forth out of the Fire as the Light shineth or springeth forth out of the Candle 4. This now is two Principles viz in the Fire of the Eternall Nature the * The First Principle Soul and in the Light of the divine Power the †The Second Principle Spirit But the * The Third Principle Body is the Third Principle as viz a Substance of the visible World of the Starres and Elements out of the Seven Properties of Nature made into an Image 5. The Soul hath the Seven Properties of the inward spirituall World according to Nature But the Souls Spirit is without properties for it standeth without or beyond Nature †Note note in the Vnity of God and yet becometh manifest through the Soulish fiery or fiering Nature in the stilnesse for it is the true reall express or reflex Image of God viz an Idea in which God himself worketh and dwelleth so farre as the Soul bringeth its desire into God and giveth it self up to the Will of God But if not then is this Idea viz the Souls Spirit dumb or mute and Worklesse and standeth only as an Image in a Looking Glasse which disappears or vanisheth and hath no Substance as besell Adam in the Fall 6. But if the Soul giveth it self up to God and introduceth its Magnetick hunger into Gods Love Then the Soul draweth divine Substance into it self viz the Substantiall Wisdome of God and so its Idea or Spirit becometh Substantiall in the Lights power and attaineth divine Life and then it is the true Temple of God wherein Gods Unity is manifest or revealed and Operative 7. * Note Note Yet if the Soul introduceth it self with the desire into it self viz into own self-Love and turneth in with the desire into the Seven Properties to prove them and eateth of the Lust or Longing delight of the Properties then it lifteth up it self and maketh it an â—â—â—estrum viz an Astrall Object or reflex Image which Evestrum then instantly hungereth after the vanity of false or wicked Lust as befell Lucifer and Adam where the Evestrum of Lucifer Imaged it self in the Phantasie and the Evestrum of Adams Soul in the †Or fiery Beastiall property of the outward World whence the Soul became venomed or poysoned and instantly kindled the Body which was from or out of the Limus of the Earth so that the Beastiall properties awakened in him and lusted after the Earthly Beastiall Food viz after Heat Cold Astringent Bitter Sweet and Soure and introduced themselves with such Properties into an own self Source or Fountain of such Lust And did with the desire eat of Evill and Good Whence the Image of God viz the Idea became dark and worklesse and then the right Spirit viz the operative Idea became dumb or mute and dead as an Image in a Looking-Glasse is dead 8. Thus the Soul became seperated from God and stood in a Naturall willing for Gods willing in the Spirit wrought no more and the willing of the Evestrum began viz the reflex Imaging of the dark and outward World for the Holy * Or Angelicall Substance Genius was changed TINCTUR 9. IN this Table Tinâ—â—ure standeth above distributed in the Seven Properties Which signifieth the Likenesse or Equality
of the Seven Properties as to the Soul and the Body And that in the First Man before the Fall the Properties to divisibility and own receptibility stood in like or equall willing and brought all their desires into the Unity of God and so they were a right true Paradise for the Substantiall Spirit together with the Unity of God was manifested or revealed in them and they were to work through all things in Gods Love 10. But the Devill would not endure that to them but deceived the Seven Properties of the Life with false or wicked Lust and perswaded them that it was Good for them and that they would be wise if the Properties every one of them did introduce themselves into own self receptibility according to their kind then would the Spirit tast and apprehend what Evill and Good is But that this cannot subsist in the Unity of God that he did not tell them 11. But when they introduced themselves into their own self Lust or Longing Delight then this Strife Opposition and Contrariety awakened and rose up in them and all the Properties became Image-like in their self-hood Thus the * NOTE Unity viz the Element became divided and rent asunder and in the Strife the Four Elements gat the dominion and so instantly from without the unlikenesse or inequality viz Heat Cold and the Constellations with the Seperability with the working fell into the Body and the fierce Wrath of God according to the dark Worlds Property fell into the Soul whence came to them according to the Soul Terrour Anguish Necessity and Eternal Despair and in the Body awakened and rose up Heat Cold Woe Sickness and the Mortall Life 12. Thus fell the Image of God the whole Man from his Rank and Order or Ordinance and became a Monster and Visard and instantly the awakened Properties began their dominion with Envying Murthering Raging Stabbing or Stinging and Breaking or destroying Out of Love came Pride and own self-Love out of the Desire came Covetousnesse out of Perceptibility came Envy and out of the Fire-Life came a meer poysonous Anger to be thus came the Foundation of Hell in the whole Man to be Manifested or Revealed and Governed in Soul and Body 13. This Hellish Foundation Now is the Spirit of Errour wherein or for which Man must have been Damned if the divine Grace had not Instantly after such falling away or Apostacy in-spoken into him the Serpent-crusher viz the Efflux of the divine Love in the Holy Name JESUS for a New Regeneration 14. Which holy Name in meer Mercy in the highest humility gave it self forth into the humane Soul and Body and assumed the humanity and broke the power of this Devillish Spirit of Errour and killed the I-hood or self-hood or somethingnesse of the Life 's willing and introduced the Properties again into the Likeness or Equality and united them through his Love and brought them into Gods Unity again and there is the true Spirit viz the humane Idea and expresse or reflex Image of God become renewed and filled or satiated with divine Love-Substance and the Humane Soul hath through the Soul and Spirit of Christ in such Love and divine Substance gotten an open Gate to God again 15. This now is pourtrayed in this Table viz what Adam was before the Fall and what he became in the Fall and how he became Redeemed again and what his New birth out of Christs Spirit is And it is delineated and set forth under the word TINCTUR in the seven Properties in what Properties the Soul hath the Center and in what the Spirit and in what the Body for the Reader to consider further of 16. Under that stand the Seven Dayes of the Week signifying that Man is the very same 17. The Table signifieth what Man is from within internally and from without externally both according to the first Good Adam and then according to the perished Corrupt Adam and what he is become again in Christ by which Men may understand how Evill and Good is in Man and from what Property Evill and Good in the Senses or Thoughts and in the Mind originate Sathan 18 With or by the Word Sathan whereby the Spirit of Errour is signified a Creaturall Devill is not understood but the Source or Quality of this Spirit of Errour Christus 19. With or by the Word Christus or Christ is understood the New Man in the Spirit of Christ according to the Inwardnesse 20. The other Spaces are to be understood as in the other Tables wherein a Man may understand the Causes of the Transmutation for the Reader to Consider further of Written in February 1624. Translated into Nether-dutch from the 8 to the 13. of May 1639. and Corrected from severall written Copies And the Translation into English finished the 18. March 1657 â— compared with the Nether-dutch Translation and a High-dutch Copie A Brief Explanation of The Knowledge of GOD and of ALL THINGS Also of the True and False Light together with An annexed Table of the Manifestation or Revelation of the Divine Secret Mysterie By Jacob Behme Teutonicus Philosophus 11. November 1623. Englished by JOHN SPARROW 12. November 1623 in High-dutch the 42. Epistle Page 327. Nether-dutch 20. page 241. English 6. page 83. London Printed by M. S. for Lodowick loyd and are to be sold at the Castle in Cornhill 1661. A Brief Intimation Concerning Knowledge also of the False and True Light To Mr Godfrey Freuden Hammern Dr and Mr John Heusern my Loving and Worthy Friends The Salutation of our Lord Jesus Christ with his Entrance into and Manifestation or Revelation in the Humanity Work in us all with his Love 1. IN Christ much beloved Sirs and Brethren When God by his Grace openeth the right and true understanding so that we can apprehend or know the Expresse Image of God Man what it is according to * 1 Thess 5.23 Body Soul and Spirit Then we apprehend and know that it is the Visible and also the Invisible World viz an Extract of all the Three Principles of the Divine Substance 2. Wherewith the Hidden God through the out-breathing and impression of his seperable or distinguishable Power and Eternall Skill and Knowledge hath represented himself in a visible Image Through which he Formeth and Imageth on the same Substance the Wonders of the out-spoken Word wherein the Word of his Power maketh it self Substantiall 3. And so hath by and with Man represented an Image of his speaking and out-spoken substantiall Word wherein the divine Science or Root with the Seperability or Distinguibility of the Eternall Speaking Lyeth 4. Whence also the Vnderstanding and Skill or Knowledge of all things cometh to be in him so that he can understand the Composition of Nature as also its Dissolution For No Spirit ruleth searcheth or reacheth Deeper then into its Mother out of which it is existed and in the Ground whereof it standeth in its Center 5. As we see by the Creatures of the
it is signified that they should * Math. 6.33 first seek God and his Love and Gâ—ace and wholly incorporate and give up themselves thereinto Else all their seeking is but a fighting with a Shaddow as before a Looking Glasse and Nothing is found fundamentally Except one entrusteth somewhat into anothers Hand 72. Which yet is strictly forbidden to the Children of God in whom the Grace is become manifested or revealed that they should †Math. 7.6 not Cast the Little Pearl before Swine upon pain of Eternall Punishment 73. Only that they should shew them she Light and direct them how to attain it is freely granted to them 74. But to give the divine Seperatour into the Beastiall Hand is forbidden unlesse one know the Way and the Will of the Person well 75. In such an Intimation beloved Sirs and Brethren through the permission of the divine Grace and Co working of this present Time I will a little describe the Divine Mystery How God hath through his WORD made himself visible perceptible and inventible as also Creaturall and Formall This I desire you to Consider further of yet that it be done as is above mentioned Else I shall be as silent or mute to you and yet the blame or fault not be mine 76. God is neither Nature nor Creature as to what he is in himself Neither this nor that neither High nor Deep He is the Abysse and Bysse or Ground of all Substances oâ— Things An Eternall ONE wherein is no Ground nor Place He is to the Creature in its ability a NOTHING And yet is through ALL. 77. Nature and Creature is his Somewhat wherewith he maketh himself visible perceptible and inventible both according to the Eternity and Time 78. All things are Existed through divine Imagination and doe yet stand in such a Birth or Geniture Condition or Regiment 79. Also the Four Elements have such a Ground from the Imagination of the Eternall ONE Concerning which I will here set down a Table how the one unfoldeth or out-breatheth it self out of the other 80. In the Annexed Table is the Ground of All Secret Mysteries of divine Manifestation or Revelation described to be considered of The understanding of which is not in Natures own self ability without Gods Light But to those who stand in the Light it may well be understood and without that it is Childish 81. As also in my writings these things are declared sufficiently and largely and here only in brief comprised and represented in a Scheme or Figure 82. Thus Sirs I commend you to the Salutation of the Love of JESUS CHRIST who through his aspect and salutation is himself the Key to the understanding of this Table Dated the 11. November 1623. Jacob Behme A Catalogue of Jacob Behme's Books Printed in English In the same Order as the Numbers are at the End of the 40. Questions of the Soul Printed 1647. 1. The Aurora written anno 1612. 2. The Three Principles of the Divine Substance 1619. 3. The Threefold Life of Man 1620. 4. The Answers to the 40 Questions of the Soul 5. Three Bookes 1. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ The 2. of the Suffering Death and Resurrection of Christ 3. Of the Tree of Faith 6. The Book of Six Points the Great and Small Here Printed 7. The Book of the Heavenly and Earthly Mystery Here Printed 8. A Book of the Last Times An Epistle to Paul Keyme 9. A Book De Signatura Rerum 1621. 10. A Consâ—latory Book of the Four Complexions translated by Mr. Charles Hotham 13. A Book of true Repentance These three are the Book called the way to Christ 1622. 14. A Book of true Resignation These three are the Book called the way to Christ 1622. 15. A Book of Regeneration These three are the Book called the way to Christ 1622. 16. A Book of Predestination and Election 1623. 17. A short Compendium of Repentance 18. An Exposition of Genesis called the Mysterium Magnum 19. A Table of the Principles or a Key of his Writings being the Epistle to Godfrey Freuden Hammern and John Hausern here printed Concerning the Knowledge of God and of All things also of the True and False Light 1624. 20. A Little Book of the Supersensual Life Printed at the End of the Way to Christ 21 A Little Book of Divine Vision here printed 22. A Book of the Two Testaments of Christ viz Baptisme and the Supper 23. A Dialogue between the enlightened and unenlightened Soul Printed at the end of the Way to Christ 25 A Book of the 177. Theosophick Questions with Answers to Thirteen of them and the Fifteenth to the 6. verse here printed 26. An Epitome of the Mysterium Magnum printed at the End of the Book there called A Brief Abstract thereof 27 The Holy-Week or the Prayer-Book here printed 28. A Table of the Divine Manifestation or an Exposition of the Threefold World here printed 30. A Book of the Last Judgement which is supposed to be the last Chapter of the Book of the Three Principles 31. Epistles in Number 35. Printed in English Also A Clavis or Key printed at the end of the 40. Questions Those with this Mark were left by the Authour unfinished These are to be sold by Lodowibk Lloyd at the Castle in Cornhill London