behold and really to contemplate the Centre of all Beings and to understand the Formed Word of God also to understand the originall and meaning of the compacted framed or formed Sensall tongue of all properties and likewise the mentall unformed holy tongue wherein I have written many high Books which in part will be unapprehensive to Reason without Gods light 8. Albeit I as an earthly weake instrument according to the externall man could very hardly at first being an un-exercised unlearned man comprehend and bring this high worke to the understanding or fidy expresse it for the understanding as is to be seen in the Aurora which is the first part of my Writings also I intended not to make it knowne unto any man but I wrote it for my memoriall of the very wonderfull knowledge contemplation and seeling illumination and though the spirit signified to what end it should be yet Reason Viz. the externall man could not comprehend it but it saw its unworthinesse and lowlinesse and I kept these Writings Viz. the Aurora by me till at last I spoke of it unto one by whose meanes it came before the Learned who presently studyed and indeavoured that it might be taken from me where then Satan thought to make a Bon-fire of it and thereby to scandalize and cast an Odium upon my person wherefore I have suffered much for Christ my Lord his sake that so I might follow him aright in his processe 9. But as it hapned to the Devill about Christ so also it hapned to him about my Writing for he that desired and intended to persecute them he published them and brought me into a greater stronger and more serious exercise whereby I was more exercised in Iudgement and stood the stronger in opposing the Devill and his violent assaults in the Serpentine Ens of the Earthly Adam and did more and more disclose and breake open the Gates of the deep or hidden depths of Eternity and am come unto the cleare light insomuch that my Writings are both far and near read with oelight and copyed out by many very Learned Doctors and other persons both of high noble and of low descent and that wholly without my incitement or running through Gods providence 10. I would have very willingly imparted som of them now unto you but I have them not at hand and cannot get them so soone at present and it is true that some Treatises are written so that I hope many an hungry soule shall be refreshed for the latter writings are much clearer and better to be understood then the first of which you have told me but if you would but take so much paines as you mention and come to me your selfe and in the feare of God converse with me in Divine wisdome I shall be glad and you may take your opportunity with me as you please for I am continually exercised in writing and therefore I have laid aside my Trade to serve God and my brother in this Calling and to receive my reward in Heaven albeit I shall incur displeasure and an ungratefull Odium at the hands of Babel and the Antichrist 11. I returne many thankes for Mr Nagels salutation and other Christian fellow-members who are in the Pilgrimage of Christ as I am informed and when your occasions give leave salute them from me againe most kindly Mr. Elias Teikman is not come yet unto me neither doe I know where he is Mr Balthasar Walter hath often made mention of him in love but I know him not save onely in the spirit for I have onely heard of him by others 12. Concerning my condition I certify you upon your desire that I am blessed be God very well at present but I see in the Spirit a great Persecution and Alteration approaching upon the Countrey and People which is very nigh at hand as is mentioned and foretold in my Writings and it is high time to goe out and flye from Babel therefore I cannot speake of any Rest or settlement onely all will be full of misery Robbings Murtherings and unheard of Devillishnesse in Christendome that outragious practices of the Cessacks breaking through Silesia among our neighbouring Countries is very likely knowne unto you which is a certain type and symptom of the anger to come upon these Countries and I commend you and all Christian members unto the meek love of Jesus Christ and my selfe to their and your love and favour Dated the 10. of December New Style 1622. J. B. THE TWO AND THIRTIETH EPISTLE Our Salvation consisteth in the effectuall working Love of Jesus Christ within Us. 1. MY very loving and Christian Friend I wish you the highest Peace with the hearty Love of a fellow-member of Christ working in the desire that the true Sunne of the effectuall love of Jesus Christ may continually arise and shine in your Spirit Soule and Body 2. Your Letter dated the 24. of January I received 14. dayes after Easter rejoycing to see in it that you are a thirsty fervent and desirous Searcher and Lover of the true ground of the knowledge of Divine Mysteries which I perceive you have sought and searched for with diligence 3. But that my writings are come to your hands and please you is certainly caused by the appointment of God who bringeth lovers to that which they love and often useth strange means whereby he satisfyeth the desire of them that love a thing and feedeth them with his gifts and graces and putteth an Ens of the true fire into their love that it may burne aright and you may rest assured that if you continue your constancy in love to truth that it will open reveale and manifest it selfe to you in its flameing love and make it selfe certainly knowne but the searching of it must be begun aright for we attain not the true ground of Divine knowledge by the sharpe searching and speculation of our reason from without but the searching most begin from within in the hunger of the soule for reason penetrateth no further then its owne Astrum of the outward World from whence reason hath its Originall 4. But the soule searcheth its owne Astrum Viz. In the inward spirituall World from whence this visible World hath its rise efflux and production and wherein its ground and foundation standeth 5. But if the soule would search its own Astrum or Spirituall constellation Viz. the grand Mystery or the eternal divine nature it must first wholly yeild up all its power and its will to the divine love and grace and become as a child and turne it selfe to its Centre by repentance and desire to doe nothing but that onely which the spirit of God is pleased to search by it or employ it about 6. And when it hath thus yeelded and resigned up it selfe seeking nothing but God and its owne Salvation and also how it may serve and love its neighbour and doth then finde in it selfe a desire to have Divine
and such of whom they have a good opinion doe say so or because they have already received and maintained it then from any true impartial consideration that it is right or from any effectuall living essentiall knowledge and reall spirituall Being of it in their owne Soules c. But for those that know enough already and are so well conceited of their owne selves this Author hath written nothing but for the Seeking hungry desirous Soule that by unfeigned repentance conversion and introversion of its will mind and thoughts to God doth endeavour the reall practice of Christianity and the leading of an upright conversation in all humility meekenesse simplicity patience forbearance righteousnesse and Christian love towards all men without a Selfish singular disrespect or Pharisaicall contemning and condemning of Others The true way and meanes for a man to free himselfe from all blind contentions disputes doubts errours and controversies in Religion and to get out of that tedious Maze and wearisome laborinth of perplexing thoughts wayes and opinions concerning God Christ Faith Election the Ordinances or the way of worship wherein the World doth trace it selfe is faithfully set downe and declared according to the ground of the Scripture and true experience in this Authour the attainement of which light will give reall satisfaction and assurance to the Soule so that it shall not need say Is it true What Arguments are there for it How can it be proved c But it shall finde the reall Signe and Seale of truth within it selfe as the Scripture declareth 1 John 2. 20. 27. That the unction from the holy One teacheth all things so that no man need teach those in whom it doth abide But this knowledge this precious Pearle of light this darling of wisedome this Garland and Crowne of Virgin Sophia which surpasseth all the beauty and treasure all the Pompe Power and pleasure of this World This Universall Touchstone to try and finde out the qualities and vertues of all things this Heavenly Tincture this true Phylosophers Stone this Summum bonum which no humane tongue can expresse is onely obtained in the new birth whereby the light and life of God is renued in us the essentiall Word of Divine love Christ himselfe is begotten and formed in us to the reading and experimentall understanding of which Word of Life Light and Love the whole Scripture and the Writings of Divine illuminate Men doe direct us and all words workes and Bookes that proceed not from that Word and lead us againe to that Word are either onely Astrall outward and transitory or the fantasticall Idola mentis the shadowes of fansie and learned Pharisaicall Reason which by its feighned words of suttlety and humane wisedome enticeth men to beleeve strong delusions and follow after lyes in Hypocrisie In our owne Book which is the Image of God in us time and Eternity and all Mysteries are couched and contained and they may really be read in our owne soules by the illumination of the Divine Spirit for our minde is a true mysticall Mirror and Looking-Glasse of Divine and Naturall Mysteries and we shall receive more reall knowledg from one effectuall innate essentiall glimps beame or Ray of light arising from the New birth within us then in reading many hundred of Authors whereby wee scrape abundance of carved workes and conceits together and frame a Babel of knowledge in the Notion and Fansie to our selves for in the true light we receive the pledge and earnest of that Spirit which Searcheth all things yea the depths of God let no man thinke that it is now impossible for in a Christian new borne in Christ Christ the light of life and being of Love doth dwell and in him are all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge and he doth expresse the same in the humble resigned Soule according to the manner and measure as he pleaseth and as is best requisite for the Time and Age. These Epistles are not fraught with fine complementall straines and pleasing Notions of humane Art or with the learned Quotations of ancient Authors or with the witty glances of accute Reason trimmed up in the Scholastique pompe and pride of words to tickle and delight the fansie of the Reader neither doe they savour of a Sectarian spirit of Hypocrisie and affectation arrogancy and Pedantick presumption to make himselfe that which in reallity he is not to get a great Name and to amuse and captivate mens mindes with strange high-flowne conceits thereby to gaine a selfish confidence and approbation in others to make a Sect in Babel but he hath written according to the Divine Gift which he received of the greatest and deepest Mysteries concerning God and Nature and hath expressed them in such suitable and significant tearmes and phrases as are best apt to render them in their owne native and proper Idea and meaning to the understanding and capacity of others Albeit few will understand them according to the depth of his sense but every one may receive benefit according to his capacity if his owne Image-like fansie and the over-weening conceit of his owne light doth not prepossesse and hinder him and no doubt his Writings are left unto Posterity as a precious Talent to be improved Not that we should onely gather a talkative Historicall litterall Notion of the Mysteries but that in all simplicity and syncerity we practice the way of Regeneration in the Spirit of Christ and Divinitize our knowledge into an effectuall working Love and so attaine the experimentall and essentiall being thereof in our owne Soules It would be too large here to speake of that foundation and stedfast Bysse which his Writings doe containe whereby true Phylosophy may be restored to its Originall purity being from those Idols of fansie and vaine Reason that doe darken and perplex it for by the knowledge of the Centre of all Beings of which his Writings speake we come rightly to understand what Time and Eternity is and therein the Science of the Nothing Something and All things whereby we may come to find out whence the inward radicall Ens working essence true subsistence and full existence of every thing proceedeth and also to what end every thing hath such an Essence life power vertue forme colour and then whither it goeth and what it shall be hereafter in Eternity by which we may come to see how it is that all things proceed from God subsist in God and againe returne to God and therein obtaine the right knowledge of our Selves and of God in Nature and from this Centre ariseth the true knowledge of the Three Principles and also of the Threefold or Tri-une life in Man whereby the deepest darkest and hardest Questions and Quaere's that can arise within the minde of man or come under the reach of any Imagination or thought may be rightly understood and determined and this must needs advance all Arts and Sciences and conduces to the attainment of the Universall Tincture and
regeneration of a new life and will and there it may attaine the sweet blood of Jesus Christ which in Christ did disclose or break open the gate of death and changed the anger of God in our humanity in himselfe into love wherein the poore captive soule drinketh out of Gods fountaine and doth allay and sweeten its fire-breath whence the new Paradisicall budd springeth forth and there the hunger and desire of the soule is made substantiall and essentiall in the blood of Christ after an Heavenly manner 15. Now as the disclosing of death must be done in the person of Christ himselfe in our soule and humanity so that the eternity in Christ wherewith he was come from heaven and was also in heaven John 3. overcame the time Viz. the life and will of the time and did change time with its will into the eternall will of the Deity and all this must be brought to passe in our received humanity So likewise the desire of our soule must receive into it selfe that same eternall will in Christ wherein time and eternity stand in equall agreement and harmony and through the power of the same immerse or cast it selfe into the adoption of free grace in Christ that the same inward Paradisicall ground which dyed in Adam might again spring forth in the will of the obedience of Christ through his heavenly and from us assumed humane blood 16. The atonement and expiation must be made manifest and experimentall in our selves through that atonement which Christ once made indeed the atonement and reconciliation was once fully finished and brought to passe in Christs blood and death but that which was once wrought in Christ must also worke in me it must even Now also through Christs shedding of his blood be brought to passe in me Christ also doth powre forth his heavenly blood into the desire of Faitâ— in my poore soule and tinctureth the anger of God which is therein that the first Adamicall Image of God may againe appeare and become seeing hearing feeling tasting and smelling 17. For that same Image which dyed in Adam from the heavenly Worlds Essence being the true Paradisicall Image dwelleth not in the foure Elements its essence and life standeth not in this world but in Heaven which is manifest in Christ in us Viz. in that one pure holy Element whence the foure Elements sprung forth in the beginning of time and this same inward new spirituall man eateth Christs flesh and blood for he is and liveth in Christ Christ is his stock and he is a branch on the stock 18. For every spirit eateth of that whereof it taketh its Originall the Animall sensuall mortall soule eateth of the spirit of this World of the Stars and Elements of the Kingdome of the World but the true eternall soule which was inspired out of the Eternall Word into man being Divine life eateth also of its Mother Viz. of the holyessentiall Word of God 19. But seeing it was impossible for her after her owne departure and separation from God in her excluded condition property and spirit to eate of the Divine Word and live in the holy Element of love and humility therefore this same Word of life being its true Mother came forth to the abandoned soule into the vaâ—e of misery and into the prison of Hell and infused his heavenly Essence into our humane to be as a body for the soule and therewith did imbrace and cloath our poore soule being captive and did open againe her heavenly mouth afore dead in the anger of God with the tincture of love so that the poore soule can now againe eate heavenly Manna the eating whereof was tryed in Christs person with the humanity which he received from us in the temptation of Christ in the Wildernesse where Adam in Christ did againe eate Manna from Paradise fourty dayes 20. Therefore I say that by a shew and select forme of grace appropriated and imputed from without none commeth to be a true Christian for if he be so his sinnes are not forgiven him by once speaking of a word or appropriating a forme or promise of absolution to himselfe from without as a Lord or Prince in this World doth freely give a Malefactor his life by an externall imputed favour no this availeth nothing before God 21. There is no grace or favour wherby we come to the adoption save onely in the blood and death of Christ him alone God hath fore ordained and appointed to be unto him a throne of grace or propiciation in his owne love which he hath in the Sweet Name Jesu out of Jehovah infused into him He is that onely Sacrifice that God accepteth of to reconcile hiâ—â—nger 22. Now if this Sacrifice or free offering of grace shall doe me good then it must be wrought and brought to passe in me the Father must beget or impresse his Sonne in the desire of my Faith so that the hunger of my Faith may lay hold and comprehend him and if the hunger of my soules Faith doth comprehend him in his promised Word then I put him on in his whole processe of justification in my inward ground and forthwith the mortification and killing of the anger Devill Death and Hell beginneth and goeth forward from the power of Christs death in me 23. For I can do nothing I am dead to my selfe but Christ doth it in me when he ariseth in me then I am dead to my selfe in respect of the true man he is my life and in that I live I live to him not to my selfehood for grace mortifieth my own will and setteth it self up for a Lord in the place of my selfenesse that so I may be an instrument of God who doth therewith what he pleaseth 24. And then I live in two Kingdomes Viz. with my newborne spirit of life or spirituall man in Paradise in the Kingdome of Heaven in the inward spirituall World and with the outward mortall man in the vanity of time in the Kingdome of this World in the dominion of the Starres and Elements in the contrariety and malignant discord of the properties wherein the yoake of sinne yet liveth this Christ taketh upon himselfe in the inward Kingdome of the Divine World and helpeth my soule to beare it 25. For the yoak of this World is Christs burthen which he must beare untill he shall againe deliver up the Kingdome to his Father which he hath given him for he sayd All power in Heaven and Earth is given to me of my Father so also this burthen or charge is layd upon him that he should beare Gods Anger Hell death and all Evill in us as Isaiah saith Hee tooke on him our diseases and carryed our sorrows but we esteemed him stricken smitten of God and afflicted 26. And hence it is that a Christian must be a bearer of the crosse for so soone as Christ is borne in him the assaulting of Hell and the anger of God in the eternall
nature beginneth and then the Hell in man is destroyed and the Serpent is troden under foot whence great unquietnesse persecution and reproach from the Devill and the corrupt World doth arise against the outward sinfull man and even then the outward sinfull man must suffer it selfe to be condemned and judged to damnation by the children of Anger and by Gods severe justice in the anger seeing that another man liveth in him which is not like and conformable to the outward mortall man and so Gods Justice executeth its judgement in the anger upon the house of sinne and also all the Ministers of Gods wrath doe helpe the execution thereof 27. And even then Christ helpeth to beare the yoak and man is Sacrificed in Christs processe contempt and scorne in his suffering and death to the justice of God in the anger and becomes conformable to Christs Image 28. The holy Scripture witnesseth in all places that we are justified from sinnes by Faith in Christ and not by the workes of our merit but by the blood and death of Christ which indeed is so taught by many but rightly understood of few that teach us so 29. We are taught indeed an imputed grace but what faith is and how it is begotten and what it is in its Essence reall Being and Substance and how it layeth hold on the merit of Christ with the grace herein the greatest part are dumbe and blinde and depend on an Historicall Faith James 2. which is onely a bare knowledge or literall conjecture and therewith the man of sinne doth tickle and comfort himselfe and through an imagination and blind perswasion doth flatter and sooth up himselfe and calls himselfe a Christian though he is not yet become either capable or worthy of this so high a title but is onely a titular Nominall Christian externally cloathed with Christs Purpur-Mantle of whom the Prophet speaketh saying They draw neere to mee with their lips but their heart is farre from me And Christ sayd Not all that say Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdome of Heaven but they that doe the will of my Father in Heaven 30. Now Christ alone is the will of the Father in whom the acceptation oâ— grace and adoption confisteth and none can doe the love will of the Father save alone that onely throne of grace Christ himselfe as the holy Scripture declareth no man can call God Lord without the holy spirit in him 31. For we know not what and how to pray before God as wee ought but he even the holy spirit in Christ maketh intercession for us with unutterable sighes before God in our selves as it pleaseth God we cannot attaine any thing by our willing and knowing he is too deeply hidden from us for it lyeth not in any mans knowing willing running and searching but in Gods Mercy 32. Now there is no mercy but onely in Christ and if I shall reach that mercy then I must reach Christ in me are my sinnes to be destroyed in me Then must Christ doe it in me with his blood and death with his victory over Hell Am I to beleeve then must the spirit desire and will of Christ beleeve in my desire and will for I cannot beleeve 33. But he receiveth my will being resigned to him and comprehends it in his owne will and bringeth it through his victory into God and there he intercedeth for the will of my soule in his owne will before God and so I am received as a child of grace in his will of love 34. For the Father hath manifested his love in Christ and Christ manifesteth that same love in my will being resigned to him Christ draweth my will into himselfe and cloatheth it with his blood and death and tinctureth it with the highest tincture of the Divine power and so it is changed into an Angelicall Image and getteth a Divine life 35. And forthwith that same life beginneth to hunger after its body which body is the degenerated fiery soule into which the will in Christ is entered so that the new life in Christ doth now also tincture the soule whereby the soule in the spirit and property of this new will obtaineth a right Divine hunger and is made to long after and desire the Divine grace and begins to behold and consider in the spirit of his Divine will in Christ what shee is and how shee in her propertyes inclinations and dispositions is departed from God and lyeth captivate in the wrath of God and then shee acknowledgeth her abominations and also her deformity in the presence of Gods Angels and findeth that she hath nothing wherewith shee is able to protect her selfe for shee sees that shee standeth in the jawes of death and hell encompassed with evill spirits which continually shoot the strong influence of their evill desires into her to destroy and corrupt her 36. And then she diveth into that same new-borne spirit of the will and wholy immerseth her selfe into very humility it selfe and so the spirit of Christ taketh hold of her and bringeth her into the spirit of this new will so that the soule essentially and experimentally feeleth and findeth him whereupon the Divine glymps and beame of joy ariseth in the soule being a new eye in which the dark fiery soule conceiveth the Ens and Essence of the Divine light in her selfe and thereupon hungreth and thirsteth after the grace of God and entreth into an effectuall repentance and sorrow and bewaileth the evill which it hath committed 37. And in this hunger and thirst it receiveth Christs flesh and blood for the spirit of the New will which in the beginning entered into the grace of Christ and which Christ received into himselfe becommeth now substantiall and essentiall by the magnetick impressure hunger and desire of the soule 38. And this essentiality is called Sophia being the essentiall wisedome or the body of Christ and in this the faith in the holy Ghost doth consist Here Christ and the Soule beleeve in one Ground 39. For true Faith doth not consist in thoughts or in meere assenting to the History Viz. That a man impresseth or imagineth in his minde to himselfe that Christ is dead for his sinnes and by an Historicall apprehension or blind perswasion of a particular Election clingeth to his merits and righteousnesse without the innate righteousnesse of Christ and life of God essentially working in him and begetting him to a new creature for Faith is a receiving of the promised grace in Christ it receiveth Christ into it selfe it doth impresse him into its hunger with his heavenly flesh and blood with the grace which God offereth in Christ 40. Christ feedeth the soule with the Essence of Sophia Viz. with his owne flesh and blood according to his saying whosoever eateth not of the flesh of the Sonne of Man he hath no life in him but whosoever eateth the same he abideth in him 41. And herein the Testaments of Christ and also the right Christian Faith
to it selfe out of the Incarnation of Christ the Divine disclosed Essence and so it feedeth on Gods Being and taketh it into it selfe and from this spirituall and essentiall eating consuming or digesting it giveth forth a body of light which is both like unto and capable of the Deity thus the poore soule becomes cloathed with a body of light as the fire in the Candle and in this body of light it findeth rest but in the darknesse of this World in its earthly carkasse and cloathing of clay wherein the Curse of God and all evill inclinations and false desires do stick it hath anguish and trouble 26 But now seeing it is so that it hath with Adam put upon it selfe the earthly Image it must therefore beare the same as the fire of the Candle must take its burning light from the darke lumpe of fat if it had with Adam abode in Gods being and had not put on the earthly Image it needed not to have borne the same but now it is bound to beare it 27. For Saint Paul saith To whom you give your selves as Servants in obedience his servants you are be it to sinne unto death or to the obedience of God unto righteousnesse Now seeing the soule hath put on the earthly Image which worketh nothing but fruit to death and hath yeelded and devoted it selfe a servant to Sin it is therefore now become the sinfull servant of death 28. Wherefore is it fallen in love with a strange Master that domineereth over it Had it but remained a childe and had not lusted after the Tree of knowledge of good and evill it needed not then to have beene in subjection to both Governments but being it would be as God in love and anger according to both the Principles of Eternity thereupon it must now beare the Image and undergoe the force and sway of both and so endure the fire-burning the curse and anger of God enkindled in the divided properties of Nature till the day of Separation 29. Therefore it s called a bearing of the Crosse for when the Magicall fire ariseth it maketh a Crosse-like-birth and the one forme of nature doth presse and quite pierce through the other that is the one is contrary to the other as sweet against soure sharp against bitter and the fire against them all 30. And if the soule had let the body of light be onely Lord and Master and had not imagined on the externall Kingdome of this World that is on the spirit of the great World in the Starres and Elements nor lusted after the earthly fruit then the wrath or the working power of darknesse in the Curse of God which is the departure of his love from a Being had been as it were swallowed up in it and would not have beene manifest or apparent there would not have been any sense perceivance or feeling of the same but seeing it is departed from the meeknesse of the light and gone out of the love of God therefore it seeleth now the wrath or burning anger of the eternall Nature 31. And therefore it must worke labour and endeavour to obtaine the light againe whence it is that the life of man standeth in such anguish in painefull seeking in continuall abstinence and repentance it earnestly desireth the Divine Rest and yet is held back by the wrath of Nature 32. The more the life desireth to fly from the wrath or fiercenesse of Nature the more strong and vehement the strife groweth in the life besides that which the Devill by his poysonfull Incantations Magicall imaginations representations and insinuations doth stirre up and bring into his Nest being the Centre of the soule he continually representeth before the soule the Magicall Image of the poysonfull Serpent that the soule might still imagine upon it and kindle or inflame it selfe in the poyson of the same which daily commeth to passe and thus the fire of the soule becommeth an evill poysonfull burning brimstony-fire 33. Yet if the soule departeth from the Serpent-like Image of the Devill and rejecteth the evill earthly Tree whereon the Serpent hath cunningly twin'd himselfe which Tree is Pride Coveteousnesse Envy Anger and Falshood and longeth not after it but maketh it selfe as it were dead in this Figure as if it knew nothing of it and casteth away the very concupiscence and imagination it selfe and desireth onely the love of God submitting it selfe wholly to Gods will and working that he may be onely its willing working and doing then the Divine light beginneth to shine in it and it obtaineth an eye of the right seeing so that it is able to behold its owne naturall forme and feature whereby it steppeth into plaine downright and meek humility 34. It willeth nothing it also desireth nothing but resigneth and casteth it selfe into the bosome of its Mother like a Childe that desireth nothing but its Mother inclining it selfe to her and longing onely after her it doth not much esteeme any Art subtill Reason or much knowledge and though it knoweth much yet it is not puft up or elevated in its owne conceit by its knowledge but leaveth and resigneth the knowing willing and working wholly to its Mothers spirit that it might be both the will and worke in it 35. I speak according to my knowledg that the Devill in the power of Gods anger doth continually shoot against and oppose this pretious sprout of the soule or noble twig of Divine light and love springing forth from the Tree of life Christ within us and doth cast vaine infinuations false desires and earthly imaginations after the root of nature that is after the formes of the fire-life in the first principle to enkindle them in their owne naturall working properties which are selfe-pride covetousnesse envy anger falshood hypocrisie lust c. and would continually by all meanes quite destroy the pretious sprout or noble twig of grace He continually shooteth his evill poysonfull rayes into the soules Magicall fire with evill lusts concupiscence and thoughts and ministreth strange matter or fuell to the soules fire to burne or feed upon so that it might by no meanes attain to a shining light he quencheth suppresseth and hindreth it that his Kingdome might not be knowne 36. But on the other side the noble twig defendeth it selfe and will none of the fierce darke and wrathfull source it ariseth and springeth forth like a plant out of the wild earth yet the Devill stâ—iveth contnually against it 37. Therefore my dearly beloved freind there is such strife and contention in man and hence he seeth the Divine light as in a mirror and sometimes he getteth a perfect glimps thereof for as long as the twig of the soule can defend it selfe against the poyson of the Devill so long it hath the shining light 38. For when the Magicall fire of the soule receiveth the Divine essence that is the divine body Christs flesh then the holy spirit doth apparently arise and glance forth in the
soul as a triumph as he goeth forth from God the Father through the word or mouth of the sonne that is from the Heart of the sacred Ternary out of the Divine essentiality and thus he goeth or proceedeth forth out of the being or essence of the noble lilly-twig which springeth forth and groweth out of the fire of the soul which lilly-twig is the true Image of God for it is the new-born or regenerated spirit of the soul the spirit of Gods will the Triumphing Chariot of the holy spirit in which he rideth into the sacred Ternary into the Angelicall World 39. And with this twig or Image of God renewed in us as is before mentioned we are in Christ without this World in the Angelicall World of which the old Adam hath no understanding or perceivance also it knoweth it not as the rough stone knoweth not the Gold which yet groweth in it The Gate of the true knowledge of the Threefold life 40. Man is the true Similitude or Image of God as the pretious man Moses testifyeth not onely an Earthly Image for the sake whereof God would not have become man and put forth unite and espouse his heart and spirit in deepest love after the fall unto it but he is Originally out of the Being of all Beings out of all the three Worlds Viz. out of the innermost Nature-world which is also the most outward and is called the darke World whence the principle of the fiery Nature taketh its rise as is declared at large in my Booke of the threefold life 41. And secondly he is out of the light or Angelicall World out of the true Being of God and then thirdly he is out of this externall World of the Sunne Stars and Elements an entire Image of God out of the Being of all Beings 42. His first Image stood in Paradise in the Angelicall World but he lusted after the externall World that is after the Astrall and Elementall World which hath swallowed up and covered the precious Image of the internall Heaven and ruleth now in the similitude as in its owne propriety 43. Therefore 't is sayd You must be borne againe or else you cannot see the Kingdome of God And therefore it is that the word or heart of God entred into the humane Essence that wee with our soule might be able in the power of the word or heart of God to beget and bring forth againe out of our soule a new Twig or Image like unto the first 44. Therefore the old Carcasse must rot putrifie and perish for it is unfit for the Kingdome of God it carryeth nothing but its owne Mystery into its first beginning that is its wonders and workes understand in the Essence of the first Principle which is immortall and incorruptible being the Magicall fire of the soule 45. And not this alone but he must bring and unite the End with the Beginning for the externall World is generated out of the internall and created into a comprehensible Being the wonders whereof belong unto the Beginning and they were knowne from Eternity in the wisedome of God that is in the Divine Magia not in the Being or essentiality but in the mirrour of the Virgin-like wisedome of God whence the Eternall nature doth alwayes arise or take its Originall from Eternity 46. And to this end the poore soule standeth in the prison of the Astrall and Elementall Kingdome that it might be a Labourer and reunite the wonders of the externall Nature with the light World and bring them into the beginning and though it must now be bruised and pressed and endure much yet it is the Servant in Gods Vineyard which prepareth the precious Wine that is drunk in the Kingdome of God it is the onely cause of the understanding that the desire worketh in the Mystery and manifesteth and bringeth forth to light the hidden wonders of God as we see plainely how man doth search out and reveale the wonders of Nature 47. Therefore we must not be amazed and strangely perplexed when as many times the noble Image is hid that we cannot receive any refreshment or comfort but we must know that then the poor soule is put into the Vineyard that it should worke and bring the fruit to be set upon Gods Table 48. It hath then a Twig or Branch of the wilde Vine given unto it it must trim and dresse that and plant in into the Divine and Heavenly Mystery it must unite it with the Kingdome of God this is to be understood thus 49. As a plant or grift that is set doth worke so long till it putteth forth its branches and then its fruit so must the twig grift or scion of the soule which standeth overshadowed in a darke valley continually labour that it might come to bring forth fruit which is the noble and precious knowledge of God when the same is growne in it that the Soule knoweth God then it yeeldeth its faire fruits which are good Doctrines Workes and Vertues it leadeth to the Kingdome of God it helpeth to plant and build the Kingdome of God and then it is a right labourer in the Vineyard of Christ 50. And thus that of which I teach write and speake is nothing else but the same which hath beene wrought in me otherwise I could know nothing of it I have not scrap't it together out of histories and so made opinions as the Babilonicall School doth where men Eagerly contend about words and opinions I have by Gods grace obteined eyes of my owne and am able in my selfe to worke in Christs vineyard 51. I speake plainly and freely that whatsoever is patcht together from Conjecture and opinion wherein man himselfe hath â—o Divine knowledge whereupon he makes conclusions that I say is Babel an whoredome for conceit or thinking must not doe it yea not any opinion or conjecturall apprehension but the knowledge of God in the holy Ghost 52. The Children of God have spoken as they were driven by the holy spirit they have planted many and divers Trees but they all stand upon one root which is the internall Heaven none can finde the same unlesse he likewise stand upon the same roote and therefore the externall Heaven cannot finde them out or explain them by art 53. The words of the holy Children of God remain as an hidden Mystery unto the Earthly man and though he thinkes that he understands them yet he hath no more then a darkesome hystoricall glimps of them as we see now adayes how men doe wrangle and contend about Christs doctrine and worship and fight about Gods will how he must be served whereas he is not served or worshipped with any opinion but in the spirit of Christ and in truth men serve God 54. It depends not on what ceremonies and manners we doe use every one laboureth in his worke and gifts from his owne Constellation and property but all are driven and lead from one and the same spirit
Short Declaration of the Falfe and True LIGHT The Salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ by his entrance and Manifestation in the humanity worke with his Love in Us all 1. MUCH respected Sirs and dearely beloved Brethren in Christ when God doth open to us by his Grace the right understanding that we are able to know and understand aright the Image of God Viz Man what he is in body soule and spirit then we acknowledge that he is the visible and also the invisible spirituall World namely An Extract of all the three Principles of the Divine Being 2. In whom the hidden God through the expression and impression of his various distinct Power and eternall Wisedom hath set forth himselfe in a visible Image through which hee doth Idea forme and shape in the same Being the wonders of the expressed Word in that the Word of his powers maketh it selfe essentiall 3. And so in or by man he hath represented and set forth an Image of his speaking and out spoken Essentiall word in which the Divine Science with the various divisions of the Eternall speaking is couched 4. And hence he hath the understanding and knowledge of all things that he is able to understand the conjunction of Nature and also its disjunction for no spirit hath any higher rule or deeper reach then in its owne Mother whence it taketh its Originall and in that ground it standeth or abide hâ— in its Centre 5. This we see in the Creatures of the Stars and Elements that their understanding and knowledge is no higher then of their Mother in whom they live each leadeth its life after the nature and condition of its Mother wherein it is bounded in the distinct division of the expressed Word and no Creature in the foure Elements whose Originall is not out of the Eternall Science is able to attaine the knowledge of the hidden spirituall World of Power save onely and alone Man who with his soule and understanding spirit is couched in the eternall Spiration or generation of the Divine power and various distinct division of the eternall Word of God 6. Therefore the humane Science receiveth in the Centre of its understanding good and evill and doth Idea and shape it selfe both in good and evill and maketh it selfe Essentiall therein and so with and by the Science doth induce it selfe into will desire and essence 7. That so the Abyssall will out of the eternall word of various distinct division doth bring it selfe in the Creaturall Word Viz. in the Creaturall Science of the Soule into an Ens and Being in manner and forme as the Spiration of God hath brought it selfe through the various division of the Eternall will in the visible world into diverse properties namely into good and evill into love and enmity that in such a contrary the Being might be distinct severall formall sensible and perceivable that each thing might in such a Contrary finde and perceive it selfe 8. For in God all Beings are but one Being Viz. An eternall One or unity the Eternall onely Good which Eternall one without severalty were not manifest to it selfe 9. Therefore the same hath breathed forth it selfe out of its selfe that a plurality and distinct variety might arise which variety or severalty hath induced it selfe into a peculiar WILL and properties the Properties into Desires and the Desires into Beings 10 Insomuch that all things visible both Animals Vegitables and Minerals doe arise from the severalty and comprehensive impressure or formation of the expressed Word out of the Science of the great Mystery every thing from the Experience of the Severalized Word 11. Every thing hath its owne separation in it selfe the Centre of every thing is a Spirit from the Originall of the Word the separation in a thing is a selfe peculiar will of its owne impressure or forming where each spirit bringeth it selfe into Being according to its Essentiall Desire 12. The forme and feature of bodies arise from the Experience of the will where the Centre of Every thing being a particle or spark from the expressed word doth againe expresse or speake it selfe forth and bringeth it selfe into a various distinct Particularity in manner and forme of the Divine Speaking or operation of the Eternall word in its Generation and Manifestation 13. Now if there were no Free will in such Speaking then the Speaking should have a law and would stand Confined and compelled and no desire or free Imagination might arise and then the speaking would be Finite and inchoative which is not 14. But it is a Spiration of the Abysse and a distinct severation of the Eternall Stilnesse or immobility an effusion or distribution of it selfe where the particularity doth againe stand in its owne distinct Severation in a peculiar selfe-will and is againe an Expressing of it selfe whence Nature and the Creaturall life take their Originall and hence in every thing a selfe-will is arisen 15. That every thing doth bring it selfe from its owne experience into forme feature and shape and likewise into life and operation as it standeth in its Centre in the Vniversall experience namely in the Great Mystery in the Mother of all Beings 16. This we see in the Earth which in the beginning of its Materialls is risen out of the Severation of the Divine Spiration in a Spirituall manner where the Severation of the word hath formed it selfe by its owne proper will into an Ens and Being and so by the formation or impression it hath brought it selfe into the Perceivancy of the Essence 17. In which Perceivancy or Sensibility the Magneticall Desire is arisen that the properties of the Severalized distinguishing or separating will have brought themselves through the Desire into bodies according to and from the Nature of the three Principles of the Divine Manifestation 18. From which Originall the Earth hath so many and divers bodies good and evill as Earths salts stones Metals c. and such bodies lye mixt in the Earth for the three Principles are mutually in one another as one Being 19. And they stand only in three differences or distinct degrees of Centres being the divine Manifestation where each Centre doth make and produce out of it selfe its owne Spiration expression Nature and being and yet all doe arise Originally fron the Eternall ONE 20. The First Centre is the breathing sorth or Spiration of the Abysse Viz. Gods Speaking the Comprehensive impressure and the divine perceivance of it selfe where God doth beare and begett himselfe in Trinity and speaks forth himselfe into Powers 21. The Second Centre or Spiration is the Expressed Essence of the Divine Power and it is called Gods Wisdome through this same the Eternall word breaths forth it selfe into knowledge namely into an infinitenesse of plurality and brings the plurality of knowledge into Imagination and the Imagination into desire and the desire into Nature and Strife till it comes to Fire 22 Therein the Strife in the painfull Agony doth dye in the
into it selfe to the Separation of the last Judgement The Fourth Point Whether the Beasts were so wilde and rough before the Curse as they now are 31. Beloved Mr. Frederick the Garment which Adam had before the Curse when he was yet naked was exceeding faire and became him very well so likewise was the hide of the Beasts rough and hairy unto them but in the Curse all things both in the Beasts and in the Plants of the Earth were deformed and changed into a monstrous strange forme they had indeed such a cloathing but far more glorious in Colours Feature and Ornament of the pure Tincture 32. And I entreat you about these Queries to looke into the Grand Mystery with the eyes of Christ in whom all the Treasures of Wisedome doe lye and then you shall see them better in the understanding then I can in hast briefly set downe in writing and I commit you to the Love of Jesus Christ THE NINTH EPISTLE The open Fountaine of God in the heart of Jesus Christ bee our refreshment and constant Light 1. WORTHY much respected and very Learned Sir I heartily wish unto you even that which my very soule desireth of God namely the reall true Divine Knowledge in the love of Christ that God would vouchsafe to open the Centre of the Soule whereby the Paradificall Lilly-twig in Christs Rose-garden might spring forth grow blossome and beare fruit and the streames out of Christs Fountaine might flow from you and you might be taught of God that his holy spirit might drive and rule you As it is written Those who are driven and moved by the Spirit of God they are the Children of God 2. I have received your Letter and thereby understand that you have read my Writings and that you doe delight in them and I wish from my very heart that the sense and right meaning of the same may be apprehended and understood and then there would be no need of any further asking and searching 3 For the Booke in which all Mysteries lye is Man himselfe he himselfe is the Booke of the Being of all Beings seeing he is the likenesse or similitude of God the great Arcanum lyeth in him the revealing of it belongeth onely unto Gods spirit 4. But if the Lilly in the humanity of Christ springeth forâ—h in the new birth out of the soule then out of the same Lilly the spirit of God proceedeth as out of his owne originall and ground and the same spirit seeketh and findeth all Mysteries in the Divine Wisedome 5. For the Lilly-branch which springeth forth in the new birth ouâ— of Christs humanity understand the new borne spirit out of the soules â—ssence out of Christs power is the true reall branch sprâ—nging from and remaining in Gods Tree 6. As a Mother beareth a childe even so is the new man borne in and out of God and no otherwise at all is he Gods childe and heire a child of Heaven and of Paradise 7. No imputed righteousnesse availeth a stranger cannot inherite Gods Kingdome but an innate righteousnesse out of Gods Essentiality out of the water and spirit of God as Christ told us that We must become like unto Children and be conceived in Gods Essence and like new children in God we must spring forth and be borne anew as a faire flower springeth out of the wilde Earth or as precious Gold groweth in a rough stone or drossy Oare otherwise we cannot see nor inherite the Kingdome of God 8. For whatsoever will possesse the internall spirituall World must be borne out of the same the earthly flesh from the foure Elements cannot inherite the Kingdome of God 9. But the Quint-essence which is the one Element namely Paradise whence the foure Elements have their rise birth and proceeding that same must be predominant and rule over the foure Elements in like manner as the light containeth the darknesse as it were swallowed up and yet the same is really in it even so it must be with Man 10. Onely it cannot be so with the outward man in this time of the earthly life for the outward World ruleth oveâ— the outward Man seeing it was made manifest in Man which is his fall 11. And therefore the externall man must perish as the externall World perisheth and passeth away and therefore Man in this time cannot attaine perfection but the true man must continue in combate and strife against the earthly corrupt life which is its owne enemy where eternity and time strive one against another 12. For through strife or the mutuall combate in Nature the great Arcanum is opened and the eternall wonders in Gods wisedome are made manifest out of the soules Essence 13 As the eternall God hath manifested himselfe through the time and bringeth his eternall Wonders through the time into combate and contest that through the combate or strife that which is hidden and lyeth in the Mysterious Nothing might open it selfe and be brought to light even so in strife and combate the great Mystery must be revealed in Man where Gods anger and love as fire and light are in combate and strife 14. For in the soule which ariseth out of the Eternall fire out of the Fathers property that is out of the Eternall un-inchoative Nature out of the darknesse that light which did extinguish and disappeare in Adam must be renued and borne againe in the incomming of Christ and then the Kingdome of Christ and of God is freely given him out of grace 15. For none can take the same unto himselfe unlesse the love of God doth againe presse out of grace into the Centre of the soule and bringeth the divine will out of the fire of the soul as a new sproâ—t or new Image into the heavenly essentâ—ality as the light shineth out of the fire 16. Therefore all whatsoever Babel teacheth of the externall imputed righteousnesse and the externall assumed Adoption and particular Election and Rejection from eternity is without foundation and footing Christ said You must be borne againe else you cannot see the Kingdome of God 17. The seeming holy flattering comfort with Christs death avalleth nothing but to enter into Christs death and to spring up a new in him and to arise in him and with him and become Christ or an annointed child of God in the new man 18. Like as Christ hath mortifyed extinguished and overcome the World and also the anger of his father being the centre of the Eternall Nature in the soules property with his love that is with the new love fire introduced into the soules essence into which the Devill before had brought in and placed his Desire even so must we in and with Christs spirit quell and quash the earthly Adam in Gods anger and mortify it through Gods love that the new man may spring forth else there is no forgivenesse of fin nor any Adoption or â—liation nor any righteousnesse 19. The Kingdome of God must be inwardly innate and borne
reality commeth from his Revelation and Operation 6. For albeit the World prateth and talketh much of God yet it doth it onely from Custome and receiveth its knowledge from the Hystory of the literall word by the habituall faculties of its naturall reason and yet it is void of true knowledge For none knoweth the Father but the Sonne and he to whom the son will reveal him 7. And therefore we have no true knowledge of God unlesse it be given us of the son who liveth in us if we be living branches on the vine 8. For Christ said whosoever is of God he heareth Gods word and to the Reason-learned who were onely skillfull and taught in the letter he said therefore you doe not heare because you are not of God also you are not my sheep you are ravening wolves and hirelings 9. Therefore I say that if we will speake aright of God and understand his will then his words must abide in us in a quicke and living working for Christ said without me you can doe nothing also none can call God Lord without the holy spirit in him for his calling Lord must be borne of God and flow from the holy Ghost 10. Nothing is pleasing to God and also nothing is accepted of God but that which he himselfe doth and worketh in and through the spirit of man therefore saith Christ all the plants which my Heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted out and burnt with fire 11. Therefore my beloved brother you doe well to hold and keep your selfe to the Originall of life and desire power and strength from it you shall be well quickned refreshed and strengthened you are an acceptable guest to God and the members of Christ in this your purpose 12. And if you persevere stedfastly and resist the devill the World and the Earthly flesh and bloâ—d and prepare your selfe to fight like a true Noble Champion for Conquest against all these and overcome in you the Potent and open Enemy selfe-love and come aright into our Generall LOVE then you shall certainly know and sinde by experience that the noble and exceeding worthy Trophee or Crowne of Christs conquest which he obtained in the overthrow of death and Hell shall be set upon you with the Heavenly Kingdome of joy 13. And then all the Children of Christ together with the holy Angels shall exceedingly rejoyce more with you then for 99 righteous ones who have allready obtained it 14. And the fair and noble Sophia shall be given for a spouse unto your soule which now at present standeth at the doore of your soule and doth earnestly entreat and call you with her voâ—ce and knocketh bidding you to come forth and hold out aright in Battle against sin death Devill and hell and with your earnestnesse or fixed resolution to set the greaâ— Petards against the strong Fort of nature and shee will helpe you to blow up and demolish this strong Fort. 15. And then you shall see great wonders and at the hour of Conquest the joyfull nuptialls or marriage of the Lambe shall be celebrated in Heaven in you and then the Shepheards staffe shall be given by Christ into the hand of your soule 16. But be sure remember to keep truly and faithfully unto the end what you have promised unto this chast Sophia it must be in right earnest and not to looke back again into Sodom as Lots Wife who was turned into a pillar of Salt 17. But you must goe out of Sodom with Lot according to Gods command and enter into the footsteps of Christ not at all regarding the scoffings reproaches and opprobrious speeches of the World but love the Brand of Christ more then the friendship honour and goods of the whole World and then you may walke along with us upon the Pilgrims path of Christ 18. But if you doe not relish this but minde and desire rather the pleasure and honour of the World then you are not as yet ready and prepared for the Marriage and to come to your Spouse our loving and deare Sophia 19. Therefore consider well your selfe behold and examine well your whole heart if you finde a longing desire and drawing thereunto as I in part perceive and take notice of then doe not delay or put it off an houre but goe forward and enter with a right earnestnesse or fixed minde into repentance and yeeld up your will wholly and fully to enter instantly thereinto and never to goe out from it againe albeit you should therefore forsake body LIFE Honour and Goods 20. And if you doe thus then you are rightly prepared and the true Pioneer will come unto your soule and doe that in you which you cannot doe without him 21. And although afterwards vaine inclinations and great strife and opposition in the flesh might stick and cleave unto you and your reason call you a Foole yea though Gods anger should cover and cloud you in soule and body yet all this will not hurt you you shall spring forth under such thornes with a new minde and walke with the spirit in Heaven 22. And albeit the earthly body must be conversant with the creatures yet it shall be with it as with a rough stone in which fine Gold groweth 23. Be not at all offended at my tribulation and persecution neither be afraid for it is the marck of Christ Looke but back into the Scripture and see how it went with the children of God how were they continually persecuted and killed by those who should have taught the wayes of God 24. For I am entrusted with a precious Pearle which God doth so cover that the unworthy see it not but are blind therein and are offended at the simplicity of the person that so they may remaine blind to themselves in the wisedome of their owne Reason this they see and yet doe not understand it seeing they scorne and despise the simplicity of Christ 25. But the time is very nigh at hand when they shall give an earnest account for it 26. But that God hath given you to understand what it is and from whence it commeth be thankfull to him for it it is befallen you out of grace for you have humbled your selfe before him and there may yet greater grace happen unto you if you persevere stedfast in humility and earnest Prayer 27. I will willingly impart unto you my Love as a member of Christ with praying and cooperating for it is meer joy in my heart so to doe albeit I must therefore suffer bodily trouble and calamity yet I rejoyce to see what God the Lord hath done by me poore Man hitherto 28. Satan cannot hinder the wayes of God and though it seemes as if he hindered them by his murtherous cryes yet they are thereby the more divulged and made knowne so that the Children of God doe enquire after the true ground 29. But the wicked crew is thereby hardned and hindred but others are thereby called and this you
shall see before a yeare come about and though they kill me yet it must goe forward for it is from the Lord. 30. And I commit you to the tender effectuall working Love of Jesus Christ and commend my selfe unto your brotherly love favour and affection Dated at Gaerlits April 25. 1624. J. B. THE TWELFTH EPISTLE TO Mr. JOHN BUDOFSKY Our Salvation in the life of Jesus Christ Worthy much respected Sir All syncere wishes of Divine Salvation in holy Power and of all temporall welfare premised 1. I Have received your Letter sent to me for Christian friendship and refreshment in Divine knowledge in Divine desire and affectionate hearty Christian Love and it is exceeding welcome and acceptable to me 2. And also I doe rejoyce that yet God hath his children and little flock here and there whereas else at present the World is deeply drowned in wickednesse and is apprehended in the fire of Anger which shortly shall make a great rent in the Antichristian Christendome as it is knowne and manifest 3 And that man doth very well and right who learneth to know himselfe aright what he is which cannot be brought to passe through Reason and shâ—rpe searching or deep studying and speculation in naturall acruments of Reason but in the true processe of Christ in a reall resigned soule which disclaimeth and forsaketh the Reason and its owne wit and humane selfnesse and entreth with a true conversion from the earthly way into the highest simplicity of Christ into the true and deepest humility under the Crosse of Christ as Christ hath faithfully taught us and sayd Vnlesse you turne and become as Children and be borne anew of the water and holy spirit you cannot see the Kingdome of God 4. Whereunto a true reall Resignation and renouncement of humane selfe doth belong that man wholly betaketh himselfe into his inward Ground and wholly annihilate himselfe in Selfe and turne himselfe by earnest Repentance with inward entire desire from this Worlds Being in to God and wholly dye in the death of Christ to his owne strength and selfe-willâ— and fall downe or sinck into the mercy and compassion of God that so he may be apprehended of the holy Spirit in the inward ground in himselfe that the same may see will and act through him what is pleasing to God who onely is the true Searcher in Divine knowledge and the light of the soule in which light it beholdeth and knoweth God and in no other way may it attaine to Divine and Naturall knowledge vision and contemplation 5. For the naturall rationall man understands nothing of the Mystery of Gods Kingdome for it is without and not in God which is plaine and manifest by the learned in Reason in that they contend and wrangle about the Being and will of God and yet know it not for they heare not Gods Word in them 6. And all is dead and voyd of understanding in reference to God which hath not the living voyce and the Divine hearing of the new birth in the Ens of Christ in it that the spirit of God may give Testimony of his outward hearing and teaching in him in which internall seeing God onely is knowne and his Being understood to which the outward literall or written Word is onely a forme and a prepared Instrument 7. But the true understanding must flow from the inward ground out of the living Word of God which must before be opened and revealed in Man and enter into the written Word that there may be one concordance and harmony else all teaching of the Divine Being and Will is nothing but a building upon the great Babylon of earthly Reason and Wonders 8. In which internall ground all my knowledge concerning the Divine and naturall ground hath taken its rise beginning and understanding for I am not borne of the Schoole of this World or educated in Scholastick Arts and am a plaine simple Man buâ— by Gods spirit and will I am brought without my owne purpose and desire in to Divine knowledge in high naturall Searchings 9. Which knowledge and free gift of Grace I shall â—eartily and willingly impart to my deare Brethren and fellow members in the life-Tree of Jesus Christ and dayly make supplication to God that their hearts might be opened in Divine hearing and understanding that such knowledge might be manifest and made knowne also 〈◊〉 them and we might be delivered out of the contentious Disputing Babylon and be brought into one brotherly love and heare in us what Gods will and being is 10. And Sir I let you understand that your acknowledgement and tendered friendship is of great acceptance with me and I wish also to discourse with you of Divine matters and recreate my selfe therein which being we are so from one another cannot be done so well and yet it may fall out for I am fully intended when the dayes be a little lengthened and we be somewhat better assured of more constant weather if God grant so much favour and time of Peace to conferre with you and other good Brethren and friends in those parts by word of mouth and then I will answer your propounded points and speake with you fundamentally of them which now in haste cannot be done And I commend you and yours to the meek Love of Jesus Christ Dated 13. December 1622. THE THIRTEENTH EPISTLE A LETTER Written to one In TEMPTATION and trouble of Minde shewing whence it ariseth Our Salvation is in the life of Jesus Christ in US 1. DEARE Sir my Fellow-member and Brother in Christ our Saviour my cordiall wish and cooperating desire of the Divine Love and Grace premised I desire to let you know in Christian Love that I have considered your condition in a Christian Sympathy and fellow-feeling and have brought it before the gracious compassion of the most high to see what hee would be pleased to let me know therein 2. Whereupon Sir I must tell you that I in the same gracious compassion obtained such an insight and Vision of your condition and Temptation that the ground and cause of it is made knowne to me and I will set it downe in briefe for a Memorandum that you may consider and ponder it seriously by your selfe 3. The first cause of such strong working temptation is the supernaturall super-abundant and unspeakable love of God that is the Divine good will and then the creaturall will of man strugling one against another that the humane will refuseth fully to resigne and give it selfe up with totall confidence unto such great grace of God which is tendred unto it out of pure love but seeketh it selfe and its owne love of transitory things and loveth it selfe and the beings of this World more then God 4. Therefore mans own nature which in its owne centre without the love of God standeth in meer anguish strife enmity and unquiet contrariety tempteth him into which also the Devill snooteth his false desire to lead man
astray from such high grace and love of God 5. This temptation is the greatest and it is even the combate which Christ maintaineth with his love shed forth into the nature of man against such selfenesse also against Gods anger sin death Devill and hell in which combate the humane Dragon must be devouted by the love of Christ and changed into an angelicall Image 6. And if the love of God in Christ had not its influence in you you should have none of this combate but the Dragon Viz. The false develish will would maintaine his naturall right and possession without any such conflict or disturbance 7. Now therefore this perplexing and distressing temptation is wrought very sensibly in nature by the Dragon who is in travelling anguish with his owne nature when such great love of God commeth into him and would change his naturall right into a divine selfe denying will 8. For here Christ the Serpent-stroyer standeth in man in hell and stormeth or assaulteth the strong prey-fort of the Devill whence ariseth such strife where Christ and Lucifer fight for the soule as God hath given you to see and know experimentally in the first Temptation 9. Thus Christ bâ—uiseth the head of the Serpent and the Serpent stingeth Christ in the heel and the poore soule standeth in the middest in great trembling and sadnesses and can doe nothing but onely stand still in hope it is not able also to lift up its face before God and powre forth its effectuall prayers for the Dragon turneth its face towards the vanity of this World and shewes it the beauty and glory of this World and mocketh it because it will become another creature and represents unto it the Kingdome in which it liveth and its naturall ground 10. And here the soule standeth with Christ in the Wildernesse in the fâ—â—ty dayes â—emptation where the might glory riches and pleasure of this World is tendred unto it alluring it to elevate it selfe and enter into its owne selfeâ— will 11. The Second Temptation of Lucifer and the selfish Dragon of nature is this that when the soule hath tasted the Divine love and hath beene once illuminated then the soule will have that same light for its owne propriety and worke therein in its owne Power and ability as in its owne peculiar possession understand the nature of the soule which being without Gods light is a Dragon as Lucifer that I say will have it for its owne propriety but this Dragon will not resigne up his naturall right he will be a maker and disposer of the Divine power and live therein in great joy in his fiery selfish nature and this cannot be 12. This Dragon Viz. the fiery nature must be changed with its owne will into a Love-â—â—re and forgoe his naturall right but he is unwilling to doe it but he in such a charge or transmutation looketh for an owne selfe power and yet findeth none and therefore he beginneth to doubt of grace because he seeth that in such working he must forsake his naturall desire and will and hence he continually is afrayd and will not dye in the Divine light from his owne naturall Right but alwayes thinketh that the light of Grace which worketh without such sharpnesse and fiery might is a false light 13. Whence it commeth that the outward Reason which however is blind and seeth nothing aright of it selfe continually thinketh O! who knoweth how it is with thee whether it be true or no that God hath illuminated thee that he is in thee I may likely proceed from such a Fansie thou seest not the like in other people and yet they thinke to be saved as well as thou thou makest thy selfe thereby onely the foole of the World and standest in feare and trembling at Gods anger more then those who comfort themselves onely with the promise of grace upon the futuâ—e Revelation 14. Thus it commeth to passe that then the internall ground doth sigh and pant after the inflammation and motion of the light and faine would have it but the nature is able to doe nothing it is as if it were wholly rejected of God which is also true as to the Selfe-will for God hath planted a new will into it it must dye to its owne will and be changed into Gods will 15. And because the will of nature must here dye and resigne up its owne right to the will of God therefore such grievâ—aâ— teâ—pâ—ations are therein for the Devill will not have his Pâ—eâ— Fâ—rt to fall or be demolished for if Christ shall live in Man then the spirit of selfe-lust and imagination must dye and yet it doth not wholly dye in the time of this life by reason of the flesh but it dyeth dayly and yet liveth and therefore there is such contest which no wicked man feeleth but onely those who have put on Christ in whom Christ fighteth with Lucifer â— 16. The Third Temptation is in the strong holds of the Devill namely in the will and minde as also in flesh and blood where the false Centres lye in man as a peculiar selfe-will to the proud temporall life to the lâ—st of the flesh to earthly things also many curses of men which have beene wished upon his body and soule through his temptation all the sins which have grounded and concentred and yet stand in the Astrall spirit as a strong Fort in which Christ now fighteth and will destroy it which strong hold of might pleasure and beauty of this World the humane will doth still esteeme and hold for its propriety and best treasure and will not resigne it up and be obedient to Christ 17. Therefore beloved Sir and Christian Brother I tell you and give you to understand what our loving Lord Jesus Christ hath shewn me in my consideration examine your selfe what your Temptation is our Deare Lord sayd We must forsake all and follow him and so we should be right Christ-like poore 18. Now if you yet stick with your minde in the selfe lust imagination and love of earthly things then therein namely in those Cenâ—â—es which yet worke in you you have such Temptation 19. But if you will follow my child-like counsell I tell you this that when such Temptation doth arise in you you must then imagine nothing else to your selfe save the bitter suffering and dying of our Lord and consider his reproach and scorne his contempt and poverty in this World which he hath undergone and done for us poore men and resigne your desire and whole will thereinto that you would very â—aine be conformable to his Image and with all unfaigned willingnesse follow him in his processe and patiently enduâ—e whatsoever is layd upon you to suffer and that willingly for his sake and desire onely to be conformable or like unto him and for his love sake and will be content to be abject despised in contempt and affliction that you might but mainetaine and keepe this his lâ—ve in
signifyed under the Characters Ra. Ra. Ra. P. in R. P. As is to be seen in the Revelation 13. We dare not at present make this large Interpretation more cleare all will shew it selfe and then men shall see what it was for there is yet clean another time 14. Concerning the language of nature I certifie you that it is so but what I understand in it I cannot teach or give another indeed I can give a signification thereof how it is to be understood but it requireth much roome and there must be a Personall Conference and intercourse in it it is not to be set downe in writing 15. Also concerning the Phylosophicall worke of the Tincture its progresse is not so bluntly and plainely to be described albeit I have it not in the Praxis the Seale of God lyeth before it to conceale the true ground of the same upon paine of eternall punishment unlesse a man knew for certaine that it might not be mis-used there is also no power to attaine unto it unlesse a man first become that himselfe which he seeketh therein no skill or Art availeth unlesse one give the Tincture into the hands of another he cannot prepare it unlesse he be certainely in the new birth 16. There belong two Centrall fires unto it wherein the might of all things consist which may easily be attained if man be rightly fitted Therefore Sir doe not trouble and toyle your selfe in that manner and way which you mention with any Gold or Minerals it is all false the best in Heaven and in the World from above and below must be ingredient to it which is farre off and nigh at hand the place is every where where it may be had but every one is not fit and prepared for it neither doth it cost any money but what is spent upon the time and bodily maintenance else it might be prepared with two Florens and lesse 17. The World must be made Heaven and Heaven the World it is not of Earth Stones or Mettalls and yet it is of the Ground of all Mettals but a spirituall Being which is environed with the four Elements which also changeth the foure Elements into one a doubled Mercury yet not Quick-silver or any other Minerall or Mettall 18. Read the Water-Stone of the Wise men which is in Print therein is much truth and it is moreover cleare the worke is easie and the Art is simple a Boy of Ten yeares might make it but the Wisedome therein is great and the greatest Mystery every one must Seeke it himselfe it behooves us not to breake the Seale of God for a fiery Mountaine lyeth before it at which I my selfe am amazed and must wait whether it be Gods wil How should I teach others expresly thereof I cannot yet make it my selfe albeit I know somewhat and let no man seeke more of me then I have yet cleare enough signified and I commend you together with all the Children of God into the Love of Jesus Christ JACOB BEEM THE FOUR AND TWENTIETH EPISTLE In Answer to a QUESTION WHY The Statua of one that was Deceased Wept or shed Teares 1. TOUCHING the Question it is dark in the understanding and there needs a Joseph to explaine it for it is a Magicall thing and very wonderfull whereupon it is hard to be answered for it proceedeth from the Magia 2. Yet I will open and shew you in very briefe what my Opinion is thereupon not that I would conclude and passe an absolute determinate judgment concerning it and leave you and other illuminate men of God to their opinion and apprehension in it but whether God hath given me to prove it that I leave to your judgement who know the condition of the mentioned Person better then I for all things proceed according to the time measure and limit of that thing 3. A hard rough Murall Stone hath no life that is moveable or active for the Elementall vegetable life standeth mute and still therein and it is shut up with the first Impression yet not in that manner as if it were a Nothing there is not any thing in this World wherein the Elementall as well as the Sydereall Dominion doth not lye but in one thing it is more moveable active and working then in another and we cannot say neither but that the foure Elements together with the Starres have their daily operation in all things 4. But being this is a hard Stone therefore the Miracle is above the wonted and ordinary course of Nature whereupon we can in no wise say that it hath a naturall cause in the Stone as if the operation of the Stone should move and put forth this but it is a Magicall motion from the Spirit whose Image is hewen out and pourtrayed in the Stone 5. For a Stone consisteth in three things and so all Beings consist of these three things but inclosed in a twofold property Viz. in a spirituall and in a corporall and those three wherein all whatsoever is in this World consist are Sulphur Mercury and Salt in two propertyes the one Heavenly the other Earthly as God dwelleth in the Time and the Time in God and yet the Time is not God but out of God as a pourtrayed Image of Eternity 6. So Man likewise is out of the Time and also out of the Eternity and consisteth of three things Viz. of Sulphur Mercury and Salt in two parts the one being out of the time Viz the outward body and the other standeth in the Eternity Viz. the soule seeing then that Man and the Time as well as the Eternity stand in one Dominion in Man thence wee are to consider of the Question 7. For man is a little World out of the great World and hath the property of the whole great World in him for God sayd unto him after the fall thou art Earth and unto Earth thou shalt turne that is Sulphur Mercury and Salt therein stand all things in this World be it Spirituall or Corporall save the soule which standeth in such a property according to the right of the eternall nature as I have sufficiently demonstrated in my Writings 8. Now when man dyeth then the outward light in the outward Sulphur doth extinguish and goe out with its outward fire wherein the life hath burned and then the body falleth to dust and entreth again into that whence it is come but the soule which is brought forth out of the eternall nature and infused into Adam by the spirit of God that can not dye for it is not out of the time but out of the Eternall Generation 9. Now if the soule hath put its desire into any temporall thing and therewith hath imprinted it selfe or strongly set its Imagination thereupon then it hath impressed the property of that thing into its desire and holdeth it magically as if it had it bodily indeed it cannot hold the body understand the elementall but it
holdeth the sydereall body untill the Stars also consume it and it often hapneth that People doe appeare after there death in Houses with there owne body but the body is cold dead and num and the spirit of the soule doth onely put it on by the astrall spirit so long till the body putrifyeth 10. Also many a body is so strongly possessed of the Astrall or starry Spirit through the Desire of the soule that it is a long while a decaying for the desire of the soule doth bring the sydereall spirit thereinto so that the Elements are as it were impressed with an Astrall life especially if the soule hath not yet attained to rest and that in the life of the body it had strongly imagined upon any thing and taken it to heart and in the mean time the body dyed before it had quitted its desire and taken it out of that thing therefore the will doth still continually run in that same Impression and it would fain rightly effect its cause but cannot and thereupon it seeketh the cause or reason of its detainment and would fain rest in the Eternity but the impressed thing hath its effectuall working and driving untill the stars consume it formerly in the Popish Religion there was somewhat handled about it but without sufficient understanding 11. Now you may easily consider how it fell out that the Engraven Grave-stone shed water or wept it is not done from the power or vertue of the stone but from the strength and might of the spirit whose the stone is whose Image it beares also it is not done from the soules owne essence but magically through the astrall Spirit the constellations in the Spirit of the soule have impressed themselves into the sydereall Spirit in the stone all according to the soules desire it hath hereby signified that there was something that lay heavy in its minde when it lived and this sadnesse or sore pensivenesse of Spirit was yet in the sydereall spirit for Christ said where your heart is there is also your Treasure also in the Revelation of Jesus Christ it is written our WORKES shall follow us 12. Deare Sir it behooves me not to Judge further herein consider whether the mentioned Person had not something in her that lay heavy upon her before her end whether any had done her wrong or shee had done wrong to any body or whether the care about her Husband and children so far as shee was a holy Person did not trouble her seeing any of them going on in an evill course that so through the power of the Sydereall spirit through the Stone shee might give such admonition for amendment Noble Sir consider your selfe aright I may likely among all these mentioned things hit one but seeing I never knew the Person also know nothing of her I leave the judgement unto your Favour you know better then I what her condition herein was I write onely of the Possibility how it may bee and passe no further judgement or determination 13. But that this might be laughed at and be accounted ridiculous I passe not for it I am not deceived I understand I blesse God this ground very well for such knowledge I have not learned of or by Man but it hath been given me and I would sufficiently ground it with further and larger exposition if I should write of the Humane Property how Man is in Life and how in Death 14. I send you the Booke of the Forty Questions there you may see further ground which notwithstanding is better grounded into the Centre of all Beings in the Booke of the Threefold Life and yet much more in the Book of the Signature of all things Furthermore I entreat you not to mention this my jndgement and explanation of the Question much among light people for to a Cow there belongeth Fodder and to the intelligent there belongeth understaning the wicked man judgeth wickedly the understanding man proveth all things I speake from a good intent and affection 1. Jan. 1622. J. B. THE FIVE AND TWENTIETH EPISTLE TO CHARLES OF ENDERN 1. NOBLE Right Honourable Sir I wish and desire unto you from the most holy omnipresent God who is the fulnesse of all things and the power of all Beings a happy joyfull new yeare and all prosperous welfare 2. Albeit I being a simple man never in all my life intended to have intercourse and converse with such high Persons with my Gift which God hath bestowed upon me out of his mercy and love or thereby to be knowne and acquainted with them but when the high light was enkindled in me and the fiery instigation fell upon me then my will was onely to write what I saw man an effectuall peculiar manner and knew in the Spirit and I intended to keepe my Writings to my Selfe 3. I saw well enough what would come to passe but that I should esteeme my selfe as to have my Writings knowne never as yet came into my minde for I esteemed my selfe too simple I intended to write downe the Pearle-like Garland onely for my selfe and to imprint it on my heart 4. But seeing that I as a very simple man did not understand or take notice of this and yet I now see plainely that Gods intention was farre otherwise then ever came into my minde thereupon I 〈◊〉 first this consideration That there is no respect of Persons with God but he that dependeth on him is accepted and beloved of him and he driveth his worke in him for he is onely high and is pleased to manifest himselfe in the weak that it may be knowne That the Kingdome and the Power is his alone 5. And also that it lyeth not in humane Searchings and Reason or depends on the Heavens and their powers for they doe not comprehend him but that he is well pleased to reveale himselfe in the low and humble that he may be knowne in all things for the Powers of the Heavens doe also worke themselves forth continually in shapes formes plant◠and colours to manifest and reveale the holy God that he may be knowne in all things 6. Much more high and cleare can the manifestation of God be made in man being he is not onely an Essence or Being out of the created World but his power matter and peculiar Being which he himselfe is standeth and assimulateth with all the three Principles of the Divine Being 7. And there is nothing diminished from the Being of the divine creature in its fall but onely the divine light wherein it should live walke and be in God in perfect love humility meeknesse and holynesse and so eat the Manna or Heavenly bread of the word and divine power and live in perfection like the Angels 8. This light which in the second Principle shineth eternally in God which is the onely cause of joy love humility meeknesse and mercy is withdrawne and hidden from man in his fall in that the first man when he was formed in
me unworthy man as to mark me with the Conquering signe of his beloved son Jesus Christ 6. At which signe of conquest the Devill is terrifyed that he must even burst for very anger and thereupon hath raised up a great tempest out of his Sea of death against me and hath cast his horrible floods upon me thinking thereby to overwhelme and drowne me 7. But his violent streames have hitherto beene altogether uneffectuall for the conquering Trophy of Jesus Christ hath defended me and smitten his poysonfull darting rayes unto the earth whereby Sathans pharisaicall murthering poyson hath been revualed in many hundred men who since that time have turned themselves to the marke of Christ so that I see with joy that all things must turne to the best to them that love God 8. The report or outcry which came unto you was nothing else but a pharisaicall revilement and scorne by meanes of a scandalous reproachfull lying Pamphlet of one sheet of paper in the Latin tongue wherein Sathan hath plainly set forth and laid open the pharisaicall heart which by Gods permission is so come about that the People might learne to know and flye from the Poyson of this pharisaicall heart 9. And I confidently beleeve that the grossest Devill did dictate that Pamphlet for his clawes are manifestly and plainely therein discovered that it may be clearly seen that he is a lyer and a murtherer and it shall be as a warning unto many that they have a better care unto their soules as this Pamphlet with us is almost by all the learned ascribed unto Satan 10. The cause of this rage and fury was by reason of the printed Booke concerning repentance and the true resignation which Booke hath been very profitable unto many 11. Which shrewdly vexed the pharisaicall spirit that such a ground should be manifested thinking that such a doctrine and life should be looked for and required of him also which is not well relished so long as men â—it in the lust of the flesh and serve the belly-God in carnall pleasure and delight 12. Know yet for a direction that his reproach and lyes doâ— but publish and manifest my Booke insomuch that every one both of the high learned and low degre doe desire to read it and have it in great request 13. Which Booke in a short time hath come through Europe and it is much made of yea in the Prince Electors Court of Saxony where I am invited to a conference with high People the which I have consented unto at the end of Leipfick Faâ—r to performe who knoweth what may be done whither the mouth of the bold slaunderer may not be stopped and the truth made known and manifest 14. I exhort and entreat you therefore to wait with patience in Christian love and joy for the coming and revelation of Jesus Christ and his appearance which shall soon breake forth and destroy the works of the Devill 15. I feare not the Devill if God will use me any longer for his Instrument he will no doubt defend me well enough for the truth needeth no defence her defence is this as Christ speaketh when you are persecuted for my name sake and when they speak all manner of evill of you falsely for my sake rejoyce your reward is in Heaven also he that is just let him be just still and he that is wicked let him be wicked still every one shall reap what he hath sowne 16. Seeing then my conversation is in Heaven and I as to my body and soul run thither where aforehand my spirit dwells in Christ what advantage then is temporall dignity and honour to me I onely suffer persecution in the body and not in the soulet 17 What need I feare the shell which covereth the Spirit when the shell is gone then am I wholy in Heaven with a naked face who will deprive and bereave me of this none why need I then feare the World in an Heavenly cause 18. If the cause and maâ—â—eâ— be evill why suffer I disgrace and reproach and stand in trouble misery and feare why doe I not get rid of it but is it good what need I then despaire seeing I know whom I serve namely Jesus Christ who makes me conformable to his Image 19. Is he dead and risen againe why should not I then be also willing to suffer dye and rise with him yea his Crosse is my daily dying and his Ascension into heaven is daily done in me 20 Yet I wait for the Crowne of conquest which Jesus Christ hath said up and am yeâ— in combate and wrestling as a Champion and I exhort you as my fellow-wrestler to fight a good fight in faith and waite in patience for the Revelation of Jesus Christ and still stand fast 21. For this smoaking fire-brand which now smoaketh shall shortly be consumed in the fire and then the remainder shall rejoyce then it will be manifest what I could have written unto you which for the present is slandered and reviled yet onely by the Ignorant 22. But the wise will observe mark and take notice of it for they observe the time and see the darknesse and also the dawning of the day 23. Beloved Mr Marcus that you and your Father are in good health doth rejoyce and glad me I have received the Box of comfits and returne you thankes for them 24. I would fain write againe to the Apothecary at Wildan in Livonia â—f I had but an opportunity to send that way I pray let me know when you have 25. That which my native Country casteth away other Nations shall take up I send to you and your Father each of you a copy of my Bookes somewhat for good friends for I heard that formerly you had gotten some of them for you all 27. I have none of the other writings at hand I would gladly have sent some of them to you but shortly I hope to come into those parts and then God willing I will bring some along with me and I commend you to the kind and gracious love of Jesus Christ Dated 5. March 1624. J B. THE FOURE AND THIRTIETH EPISTLE TO FREDERICK CRAUSSEN Our Salvation is in the life of Jesus Christ in Us. 1. DEARELY respected Sir all hearty wishes of the Divine Love and all bodily health and prosperity premised God be pleased according to his will to ease and turne away your crasie distemper 2. The state of my body is yet tolerable for which I thanke God but it is wholly besmeared with the Pharisaicall dirt of Aspersion that the Common sort can scarce discern or acknowledge me to be a man 3. So wholly and gtievously is Sathan enraged against meÌ„ and my printed Booke and doth so exceedingly rage and rave in the cheife pharisee as if he would devour me but yet for these three Weekes the great fire hath begun to be somewhat allayed in the he perceiveth â—hat many hundreds doe speake against him whom he
Eternall Word which hath manifested it selfe with the true Milk of salvation in our humanity being blind in regard of God and sucketh this Milk of the Mother into his hungry soule whence the new spirituall man ariseth and thereby the fiery dark and dry soule proceeding from the Fathers property doth reach and obtaine the place of Gods love in which place the Father begetteth his beloved Sonne and therein onely the Temple of the holy Ghost which dwelleth in us is found and therein also the spirituall mouth or beleeving desire of the soul which eateth Christs flesh and drinketh his blood is understood or experimentally and essentially enjoyed 5. For he onely is a Christian in whom Christ dwelleth liveth and hath his Being in whom Christ as to the internall ground of his soule is arisen and made alive in the heavenly Essence which did disappeare and depart in Adam even he I say is onely a Christian that hath put on Christs Victory that is to say Christs Incarnation Humanity Sufferings death and Resurrection against the anger of God and also Hell Devill Death and Sinne in his eternall ground where the Seed of the Woman to wit Christ in his conquest doth also conquer in him and daily trampleth upon the Serpents head in the wicked carnall will and killeth the sinfull lusts of the Flesh 6. For in Christ alone we are received to be Children of God and heyres with Christ not by an outward adventâ—â—ouâ— strange shew of a sundry select Appropriating of Grace I say noâ— through a strange merit of grace or application of promises imputed from without or received in an Historicall apprehension of being justified and acquitted by another as Malefactors but through a child-like regenerating innate in-dwelling member-like and essentiall Grace Where Christ the conquerour of death doth arise in Us with his life Essence and power from Our death and hath his mutuall ruling influence and operation in us as a branch on its Vine as the Writings of the Apostles doe throughout witnesse 7. He is farre from a Christian who onely comforteth himselfe with the Passion Death and Satisfaction of Christ and doth apply and impute it to himselfe as a pardon or gift of favour and yet remaineth still an unregenerated wilde worldly and sensuall Beast such a Christian is every ungodly Man For every one would faine be saved through a gift of favour the Devill also would very willingly be an Angell againe by grace received and applyed from without 8. But to turne and become as a child and be borne anew of Gods grace-water of love and the holy Ghost that pleaseth him not Even so it pleaseth not the Titular Christian who will put upon himselfe the mantle of Christs grace and apply his merits unto himselfe by an Historicall laying claime to a promise and yet will not enter into the Adoption and New birth albeit Christ saith that he cannot otherwise see the Kingdome of God 9. For what is borne of the flesh is flesh and cannot inherit the Kingdome of God John 3. To be fleshly minded is enmity against God but to be spiritually minded is life and peace And he onely heareth Gods Word that is borne of God for onely the spirit of grace in Christ heareth Gods Word 10. For no man hath ever seen God the Sonne alone who is in the unmeasurable bosome of the Father declareth unto us the Word and Will of God in our selves so that we heare and understand his will and good pleasure within our selves and are willing to follow the same yet we are often kept back by the outward sinfull flesh so that the operation or effecting of that same Divine power purpose and godly resolution in our mind doth not alwayes come into the outward Figure yet it goeth into the inward Figure in the inward spirituall World concerning which St. Paul saith Our conversation is in Heaven 11. Of which also all the Saints of God and especially St. Paul hath complained that they had an earnest syncere will and did serve God with the minde of the internall Ground but with the flesh the Law of sinne so that the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit which lust and evill concupiscence is daily drowned and mortified in the death of Christ by the inward ground or the centre of light regenerated in the darke abysse of the soule but this is in those onely in whom Christ is arisen from death and thus there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walke not after the flesh but after the spirit c. For the bestiall body belongeth to the earth but the spirituall body belongeth to God but whosoever hath it not he is dead while he liveth and neither heareth nor perceiveth any thing of the spirit of God It is foolishnesse to him as the Scripture saith 12. Therefore this point is not sufficiently understood and cleared by teaching and maintaining onely and alone an outward receiving and application of grace and forgivenesse of sinnes The pardon of sinne and the receiving of us into filiall adoption and grace consisteth in the justifying blood and death of Christ when Christs heavenly blood tinctured us and with the highest love of the Deity in the name Jesu did overcome the anger of God in our soule and inward divine ground proceeding from the Essence of Eternity and did turne it againe into the Divine humility meeknesse and obedience whereby the rent torne and divided temperature of our humane property and spirit of obedience and good will entered again into the harmony and unity of the properties Viz. into Paradisicall light love and life that Reall Temperature where variety doth concenter and accord in unity 13. And even then the wrath of the Father which was awaked in the properties of our life and had set it selfe to be Lord and Master in soule and body whereby we were dead to the Kingdome of Heaven and become children of wrath was turned againe into the unanimous love likenesse and unity of God and our own humane will dyed in the death of Christ from its selfnesse and selvish willing and the first humane will which God breathed from his spirit into Adam did spring forth afresh through the conquest of Gods sweetnesse and love in Christs heavenly blood and then the Devill and Hell which held men captive were confounded and made a scorn This the dry Rod of Aaron which budded in one night and bare sweet Almonds did typifie 14. Now as Sinne came from One and passed from one upon all so also the sweet grace and victory in Christ passed pressed and pierced from one upon all Now this death and the anger of God was broken in pieces in that one Adamicall soul in Christ and a possibility to grace was opened through the disclosing of death through which disclosed gate the will of the soule may re-enter into its first Mother whence it came in the beginning that is into the filiation adoption or
Reason or to bee moved at the proud censure and judgement of the same so as thereby to condemne or despise the gifts of any Man for hee that doth so contemneth the spirit of God 34. These Authors which you mention and others besides concerning which you desire my judgement whom I have not read all but in part I desire not to judge or despise them God forbid let that be farre from me albeit they have not all written in one style and forme of expression For the knowledge is diverse and manifold yet it behoveth me to try according to my gifts their hearâ— and will but seeing I finde that their heart and spirit doth flow and spring from one and the same Centre namely from the spirit of Christ therefore I rest my selfe contented on the Centre and commend the expression to the Highest Tongue Viz. To the spirit of Gods wisedome which through the wisedome doth open and reveale to every one according to the measure and manner as hee pleaseth 35. I judge none and to condemne any is a false and Idle arrogancy and vaine prating the spirit of God himselfe judgeth all things if that be in us what need we care for prating I much rather rejoyce at the gifts of my brethren if they have had other manner of gifts to hold forth then I should I therefore judge them 36. Doth any hearb flower or tree say unto the other thou art sowre and darke I will not stand by thee Have they not all one Mother whence they grow Even so all soules proceed from One and all men from one why then doe we boast and glory to be the children of God notwithstanding that we are more unwise then the Flowers and Hearbs of the field is it not so with us Doth not God impart and reveale his wisedome to us diversly As he bringeth forth and manifesteth the Tincture of the Mystery in the Earth through the Earth with faire plants even so in us Men we should rather congratulate and heartily love one another that God revealeth his wisedome so variously in Vs but he that judgeth condemneth and contemneth in a wicked way he onely runneth on in pride to shew himselfe and to be seen and is the Oppressouâ— in Babel a perverse stickler that stirreth up contention and strife 37. The true Tryall of Gods Children is this which we may securely and safely follow namely an humble heart that neither seeketh nor honoureth it selfe but continually seeketh the good of his brother in Love that seekes not after its owne profit pleasure and applause but after righteousnesse and the feare of God The plaine and single way to come unto God is this so farre as is made knowne to me Viz. That man depart from his sinfull courses and make with himselfe an earnest constant purpose never to goe on any more in those sinnes which he hath committed and in his forsaking and turning away from them not to despaire and doubt of Gods grace 38. And albeit that reason suggesteth doubts whereby a sinner is terrified and stands amazed and astonished at the Anger of God yet let the will onely in all simplicity and unfeigned sincerity directly cast it selfe into the mercy of God and wholly lye downe and shrowd it self in the suffering and death of Christ and surrender it self to God through Christ as a child that betakes it selfe unto the lappâ— of the Mother which willeth to doe onely that which is the will of the Mother it doth onely cry and call unto the Mother it alwayes hopes to receive its refreshment from the Mother and it only longs after the breasts of the Mother even so must our desire be wholly and onely turned and directed to our first Mother from whom we in Adam departed and went into Selfe-Will 39. Therefore Christ saith Vnlesse you be converted and become as Children you cannot see the Kingdome of God Also you must be borne againe that is we must wholly disclaime and depart from our own Reason and come againe into resignation and selfe-denyall into the bosome of our Mother and give over all Disputings and as it were stupifie or mortifie our Reason that the spirit of the Mother Viz. of the Eternall Word of God may get a forme in us and blow up or enkindle the Divine life in us that so we may find our selves in the spirit of the Mother in the Cradle if we desire to be taught and driven by God 40. And if we will be taught and driven of God then we must arise againe from the Cradle and wholly submit and give up our selves unto him that so Gods spirit may be in us wholly both the will and the Deed that we may acknowledge the knowledge to be his and not ours that he only may be our Knowing 41. We must take no thought or sollicitous care what we are to know and how we will know but we must meerly enter into the Incarnation and birth of Jesus Christ and into his suffering and death and continually with all willingnesse tread in his footsteps and follow him and think that we are here onely upon our Pilgrams path where we must walke through a dangerous way and enter againe in Christ on the narrow way into our native Countrey whence Adam hath led us astray in this way onely lyeth the Pearle of the Mysterium magnum or the Jewell of the great Mystery all studying Book-reading seeking searching and grounding on our Received Principles or Orthodox apprehensions besides and without this way are but dead meanes and obtaine not the Virgins Crowne or the Pearle of Sophia but gather together heaps of thistles and thornes which sting and gall the Children of God 42. Therefore deare Sir seeing you have desired my knowledge and judgement I have no better counsell and advice to impart unto you then to shew you the way which I my selfe walke in and upon which way the Gate was opened to me so that I am learned without learning aforehand for all Arts and Sciences come from God he findeth all things in and for man 43. I have no controversie with the Children of God by reason of the variety and diversity of their gifts I can reconcile them all in my selfe I can make a good construction and understanding of them to my selfe I onely bring them to the Centre and there I have the proofe and touchstone of all things Now then if you will imitate and follow me then you shall find it so by experience and afterward perhaps better understand what I have written 44. A reall true Christian hath no controversie or contention with any body for in the resignation in Christ he dyeth from all controversie and strife he asketh no more after the way to God but wholly surrenders himselfe to the Mother namely unto the spirit of Christ and whatsoever it doth with him it is all one to him be it prosperity or adversity in this World life or death it is all
alike unto him no adversity or calamity reacheth the new man but onely the old man of this World with the same the World may doe what it pleaseth it belongeth unto the World but the new man belongeth to God 45. This is my way my deare friend in which I walke and in which I must know without my fore knowledge I doe not purpose premeditate and muse aforehand what I am to write or speake but I submit and resigne my selfe to the knowledge of God he may know in me what he pleaseth and in such a way as this I have obtained a Pearle which I esteeme of greater worth then the whole externall World 46. And though it fall out many times that the Children of God are contrary one to another or clash together in their Knowledge yet it proceeds onely from the Turba of the externall Reason which is in all men and God permitteth it that man might be proved and exercised and by praying and pressing unto God he might more earnestly and fervently enkindle his spirit and then the spirit of God ariseth in the Mystery of the Humanity like a burning and shining fire and all must serve for the best to the Children of God 47. But concerning some persons of your Neighbourhood of whom you make relation which make money of all they have and run to the Supposed Zion I should rather think it better advise for them to stay at home for Zion must be begotten and borne in us when they shall come to that Place it will be with them as formerly and they must however live under the yoke of Christ 48. God is in Heaven and the Heaven is in man and if man desireth to be in Heauen then must Heaven be manifest and revealed in him and this must be wrought and brought to passe by Earnest serious Repentance and hearty Resignation or unfeigned selfe-deniall and this they may doe as well at home in their owne places that which they thinke to run from they are like to run into it would be more acceptable to God to walke at home in a godly Divine way that others might take example by them 49. There be among them arrogant proud scornefull deriding People which doe nothing but contemne and despise and in many of them it is onely a received Forme and Custome and a spirituall pride or selfish Pharisaicall Devotion as I my selfe can speake by experience for I in a Christian brotherly and friendly manner besought and admonished one of them by reason of a Book which he put forth wherein I found some points of great importance against God and the ground of truth and I hoped that he would become seeing but he answered in a proud contemptuous and slanderous manner and gave forth such an answer wherein there was no Characters or Prints of Gods spirit to be seen their Confession of faith is rather an Opinion then a true and sincere Earnestnesse for all of them are not that which they boast and glory to be there may be many honest hearts among them but many of them are onely Historicall and Titular and desire onely to shew themselves and to be applauded as I my selfe had experience of one of the chiefest among them they may learne at home to despise other men without their running to an outward supposed Zion 50. It is the way of the Children into Gods Kingdome and moreover their way is Revoca and this they themselves make shew of but privately they are as they were before I would to God it were in Earnest with them as they pretend and give forth and then I would commend the same also but to slander contemne and despise others is nothing else but Babel the World is already full of such people after such I run not 51. Concerning John Weyrack so farre as I can see by these his Writings he may be one that walketh in the love of God if this his way be held in the reall sincerity of the heart but that he taunteth and dispraiseth others by reason of the knowledge of the light of nature it sheweth that he hath no knowledge therein and his gifts reach not thither and because he hath no such gift we must passe it over and yet for all this esteeme of him as a true and honest Brother for God produceth his gifts not onely in simplicity but in many in a high straine or in a deep grounded understanding or magicall meaning For he is onely high and ordereth and directeth all his workes as he pleaseth 52. In like manner I answer to the rest of the Authors which you mention some whereof were indued with high gifts but they were not sufficiently capable to comprehend all yet for their Time they have done enough but because this present time hath need of another Medicine therefore at this time also there are found other skilfull understanding knowers and shewers of the Disease and all according to Gods loving providentiall care who will not that any should perish but that all men should be helped and cured 53. If the same Authours were alive at this present it may be they might have written in some points more clearely and in another â—orme aloeit for their time they have done enough and they are in no wise to be despised and rejected although some points might be amended But their Doctrine concerning the Vnion of the Deity and Humanity is very cleare and we may see how Gods spirit hath been in them but Reason turnes all things to the worst and by its false expositions and Logicall glosses wresteth them to a perverse sense 54. Swenckfelt stumbleth at this point in that hee holdeth Christ to be no Creature he hath not as yet comprehended the Principles and therefore it is impossible for him to distinguish how and in what he is no Creature for in respect of the Deity he is no Creature but in respect of the Heavenly Essence concerning which he sayd That he was come from Heaven and was also in Heaven he is in the Humanity creaturall and without the Humanity uncreaturall 55. As we men live in the foure Elements and we our selves are the property of the foure Elements and they are in Us creaturall and without us they are uncreaturall and yet the unformed uncreaturalized Elements without us in whom we live and the formed creaturaliz'd Elements within us are but one thing and so it is in the Person of Christ 56. The whole Angelical World which is the second Principle is his bodily Being or personall Essence and as to the heavenly essentiality in the Person of the Humanity it is creaturall without the Person uncreaturall for he is the Fathers Heart and Word and the heart is every where in the Father so that where his heart is there is also Heaven and the Divine essentiality environed with the compleate fulnesse of Wisedome 57. Concerning his soule which he commended into his Fathers hands and
of the which he sayd upon the Mount of Olives That it was afflicted and heavy even unto death the same is also of the property of our soule for it was for the soules sake that God became man that he might bring the same againe into himselfe and draw our will unto him againe out of the earthlinesse this same is a Creature 58. And the third Principle which is the externall Kingdome of this World which God through his Wisedome hath brought forth out of Eternity is also creaturall in him for the whole Deity hath manifested it selfe in the Man Christ Viz. That as God is all in the spirit so likewise he is all in this man we men are likewise even so if we be borne againe of God and this point which doth exercise and trouble almost all others may be easily amended and rectified if it were well considered there would not be so much condemning and contending the spirit of God careth not for any controversie he judgeth all things in himselfe 59. Also Weigelius writeth that Mary is not the Daughter of Joachim and of Annah and that Christ assumed nothing from us but that shee is an Eternall Virgin and this indeed is true in respect of the Mark or Signe of the Covenant according to the Virgin of the Divine wisedome But what should this availe me What should become of my soule and my heavenly essentiality which disappeared in Adam which is the Paradisicall Image if Christ had not assumed on him the Essence of our soule and begotten againe to life the disappeared Image the which in my Booke of the Threefold life is set forth at large 60. Except this Weigelius writeth also of the new birth and of the union of the humanity in Christ very well with us the which to speake of here I omit because I have written clearely and punctually thereof and I neither contemne nor despise his Writings nor those that read them 61. Doth not a Bee gather Honey out of diverse Flowers and though one Flower is better then another yet she sticks not at that but taketh what serveâ—h her turne and if the sap and vertue of the Flower doth not like her should shee therefore thrust her sting into it As the despiser and mocker useth to doe Men contend and controvert much about the Shell or outside of knowledge and Religion but regard not the precious Sap of Love and Faith which serveth and availeth to life 62. What good doth knowledge doe me if I live not in and according to the same the knowing and also the will and reall performance of the same must be in me The mantle of Christs suffering and satisfaction which men doe now usually put about them shall become unto many a snare and hellâ—sh fire in that they will onely tickle and flatter themselves with the merits and satisfaction of Christ and still keepe their cunning hypocrisie and wickednesse 63. It is sayd You must bee borne againe else you shall not see the Kingdome of God You must become like Children if you will see the Kingdome of God Not onely to contend and dispute about knowledge and opinions but you must become a new man a new creature which liveth in God in righteousnesse and holinesse the wicked one must be cast out and Christ must be put on and then we are buryed in his death in and with him and doe arise againe with him and live eternally in him what need I then to contend and wrangle about that which I my selfe am which I have essentially in me and of which no man can deprive me 64. I am at variance with none but onely against the wicked and him the spirit rebuketh to his face this I desire to let you know and my intent is sincere and upright towards you 65. As for my Bookes you may easily get them I suppose if you have a minde to them for Christianus Bernard Customer at Zagan doth certifie me that he hath lent two of them namely the Booke of the Threefold life which is the chiefest in Teaching and then the forty questions concerning the soule to your Butlers Brother if you make him acquainted with it he will not deny you but if not then I will helpe you to them in another way you may also have them of Mr. Christianus Bernard if you desire them of him and you cannot get them nearer at hand I will write unto him that he shall lend them unto you for I have mine seldome at home yet in case you get them not I will as soone as I can get them home lend them you one after another 66. The severall Bookes and the Titles of them are these the first Booke called Aurora climeth up out of infancy and shewes you the Creation of all Beings yet very mysteriously and not sufficiently explained of much and deep magicall cabalisticall or parabolicall understanding or meaning for there be many mysteries therein that shall yet come to passe 67. The Second is a great Book of an hundred sheets it treateth of the Three Principles of the Divine Essence and of the Being of all beings the same is a Key and an Alphabet for all those who desire to understand my Writings it treateth of the Creation also of the Eternall birth or generation of the Deity of Repentance of the justification of man of his Paradisicall life also of the fall and then of the new birth and of the Testaments of Christ and of the totall Salvation of Man very profitable to be read for it is an eye to know the wonders in the Mystery of God 68. Thirdly a Booke of the Three fold life the same hath sixty sheets it is a Key for above and below to all Mysteries to whatsoever the minde is able to thinke upon or whithersoever the heart is able to turne and move it selfe it sheweth the whole ground of the Three Principles it serveth every one according to his property he may therein â—ound the depth and the resolve of all questions whatsoever reason is able to devise and propound it is the most necessary to serve your turne you would bee soone weary of all contentious Bookes if you entertaine and get that into your minde 69. Fourthly The forty Questions about the Soule it hath twenty eight sheets it treateth of all things which are necessary for a man to know 70. The fifth Book hath three parts the first part is concerning the Incarnation of Christ the second part is very deepe and profound treating of Christs Passion Suffering and Death and how we must enter into Christs death and both dye and arise againe in â—nd with him and why Christ was to dye wholly brought forth enlarged and confirmed out of the Centre through the three Principles very deep The third part is the Tree of Christian Faith also demonstrated through the three Principles very profitable to be read 71. The sixth Booke or part of these Writings are the six Points treating
fire of God must doe it for they remaine in one Mystery till the judgement of God every one at the houre of the Resurrection shall come forth in his owne Mystery and he shall see his workes before him and feele them in him 100. It is not understood that they shall answer for their selves selves with words for the Kingdome of God consists and proceeds in Power and albeit the ungodly shall cry out Woe upon his abominations and Seducers yet every mans worke shall bee Summoned in POWER which shall either rejoyce or torment him 101. Now the old body of this World is the Mystery of this World and the new body is the Mystery of the Divine light World and the soule is the Mystery of God the Father and the Earth with the Elements hath also both Mysteries which shal be moved through the Principle of the Father 102. And then the doores of the Mysteries shall be set open and each shall give and set forth its Figures which it hath swallowed up for the Principle of the soule must stand before the judgement with both the Mysteries 103. Happy are they which shall have the body of Christ in the Mystery of the wrath or fire of Gods anger they shall have the soules fire or the Principle of the Father surrounded with the light World and illustrate with the Majesty they shall feele no paine or hurt and shall passe unsensibly through the fire and there the outward or third Principle shall be proved and all earthlinesse or falshood shall remaine in the fire but the workes shall be renovated in the fire and freed from their earthly source and soyle and then the earthly Mystery remaineth in the fire and is a food of the fire whence the light ariseth and the Righteous looseth nothing 104. For the works of love which were brought forth in the new body doe passe with the spirit of the soule through the fire and remayne in the Divine Image in the source of the light and they of the third Principle that is of this World doe remaine in the fire-source of the Soule 105. But that which hath been wrought and acted in an wholly evill and malicious manner in the third Principle and yet in this World hath not been renewed by earnest Repentance and Reconcilment toward his Brother that falleth unto the centre of Nature that is the root of the darke World 106. But the workes of the ungodly shall not be able to remayne in the fire for the fire swalloweth them downe in it selfe to the darke Centre Viz. the Originall of nature wherein the Devills dwell and thither also goeth there-soules fire being the Fathers principle for this fire of the soule shall have no matter to make it burn aright but it shall be as a quenched darke painfull sourse-fire onely as an anguish that would faine produce fire this is called Gods wrath and not a principle a death or a dying source 107. For the principle of the father wherein the right and true soule consists is a flaming fire which giveth light and in the light is the pretious Image of God for that light doth qualify and sweeten the burning light with the essentialty of Love so that it is a pleasing delight and a cause of nature and of life 108. Therefore I tell you that you should not thinke it strange or misunderstand it when I or any other let it be Theophrastus or who it will write that man shall stand before the Judgment with his body which he had here I perceive very well that you have not as yet understood my Writings in the Book of the Threefold life and also in the Booke of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ which treateth of Christs suffering dying and rising againe and how we must enter into his death and arise out of his death you shall finde it cleare enough explained and enlarged but seeing you have them not yet at hand be pleased to have patience you may very likely get them to read and then you will be freed from your perplexity and deepe searching in this manner 109. For they lay their ground much deeper then your apprehension is in this doe but read them right you shall verily find what the Mystery is what the magicall Bysse and Abysse is also what the Being of all Beings is there needs no consulting with one or another he that understands the great Mystery whence all Beings have proceeded and doe still proceed he doth not encumber himselfe with such large circumferences 110. You have undertaken a very hard labour which doth nothing but perplex eat up and consume your life it is wholly needlesse he that findeth and knoweth the great Mystery he findeth all things therein there need no literall demonstration God Christ and the eternity with all wonders do lye therein the Holy Ghost is the Key to it are you in the new birth as you say then there is no need of such hard seeking with such hard labour seek onely Christ in the Manger in the dark Stable when you finde him then you shall indeed find where he fitteth at the righ hand of God 111. Searching onely doth nothing the Phylosophers Stone is a very dark disesteemed Stone of a Gray colour but therein lyeth the highest Tincture would you search out the Mysterium Magnum then take before you onely the Earth with its Mettals and so you may well finde what the Magicall or Cabalisticall ground is 112. The deep and Mysticall numbers which otherwise no man is able to fathom or finde out lye all in the Mystery but hee that findes it searcheth not after the numbers he taketh Gold for Earth and doth as one that hath a costly Treasure lying in an obscure place the Manger and swadling cloaths of Christ are more acceptable to him then the whole World with its Figures or externall pompe and glory he hides the Numbers themselves for the outward Kingdome must accomplish its wonders 113. Wherefore should the earthly Mystery be unvailed before the time enquire of the Magists who have understood the heavenly and earthly Magia wherefore they have kept the Tincture secret and not revealed it there is no other cause at all but that the World is not worthy of it so likewise it is not worthy of the Numbers of the Mystery 114. Therefore God hath hidden them from us that the earthly Mystery might accomplish and fulfill all its wonders on us and that all the Violls of Gods anger be poured forth on us how can a man undertake to reveale such secret things without the consent of the Mystery indeed he tampereth about the outside of the Mystery but if he comes in he must have the will of the Mystery 115. The outward instigation to manifest and reveale the Mystery proceedeth from the Starres for they would faine be freed from vanity and they drive mightily in the Magicall Children to manifestation therefore we must prove and examine the instigation
the Earth where every Hearb hath its owne Separator in it selfe which doth so make and severize it into forme 67. Now if Man beings Gods Image in whom the Divine speaking according to the Divine Science is manifest will search the Creatures and get reall understanding and knowledge in them be it either in Animals vegitables or Mettals he must then againe obtaine grace from God that the Divine light may shine in his science whereby hee may bee able to goe through the Naturall light and then all things will be opened and revealed in his understanding 68. Otherwise he runs on in his seeking as a blind Man that speaketh of Colours and doth neither see nor know any Colour this all States and Orders of the World are to consider that they all run blindfolded without the Divine Light onely in an Astrall Sydereall imaginary fansie according as the Constellations of the Stars doe forme and frame in and upon Reason 69. For Reason is nothing else but an humane Constellation which is a darke draught or resemblance of all the Principles it standeth onely in an imaginary figure and not in the Divine Science 70. But if the Divine light be manifest and shineth therein then the Divine Word beginneth to speake or worke therein out of the Eternall knowledge Science or Wisedome and then Reason is a true mansion or receptacle of Divine Knowledge and Revelation and even then it may be rightly and truely used but being voyd of this it is no more then an Astrum of the visible World 71. It is therefore declared to all lovers of Arts whose Separator is an Artist of Great Subtility in them that they first seek Gods Love and Grace and resigne up their selves selves to and become wholly one with that else all their Seeking is but a delusion or the Courting of a shadow and to no purpose and nothing is found of any fundamentall worth unlesse one doth entrust another with Somewhat 72. The which is forbidden to the Children of God in whom the grace is revealed that they cast not Pearl before Swine upon paine of Eternall Punishment 73. Onely it is freely granted them to declare the light and to shew the way of attaining the Pearl 74. But to give the Divine Separator into the bestiall hand is prohibited unlesse a man knoweth the way and will of that man that desires it 75. Thus my beloved brethren upon such consideration and instruction I will through the permission of divine grace and the Cooperation of this present time a little decipher and represent unto you the Divine Mystery how God through his word hath made himselfe Visible Sensible Perceivable moreover Creaturall and formall be pleased to consider further of it yet let it be done as is above mentioned otherwise I shall be as one dumbe unto you and the blame thereof is not to be imputed to me 76. God what he is in himselfe is neither nature nor creature neither this nor that neither high nor deep he is the Abysse and the Bysse of all Beings an eternall One where there is no ground or place he is to the Creature in its strength or capacity a Nothing and yet is through all things 77. Nature is his Something wherewith hee makes himselfe visible sensible and perceivable both according to Eternity and time 78. All things are arisen through the Divine Imagination and do yet stand in such a birth station or Government 79. The foure Elements likewise have such a ground birth or Originall from the Imagination of the Eternall One concerning which I will here set downe a Table how the one doth unfold and spirate or breath it selfe forth out of another 80. In which annexed Table the ground of all the Mysteries of the Divine Manifestation is pourtrayed for a further consideration of the same the understanding and capacity whereof is not in Natures owne ability without the light of God but it is easily to be understood of those who are in the Light and it is childlike simple plaine 81. Like as my Writings doe sufficiently and largely shew and here onely is represented briefly in a Figure or Scheme 82. And so Sirs I commend and commit you to the salutation of the Love of Jesus Christ who by his aspect and salutation is the very Key to understand this Table Dated 11. November 1623. J. B. THE SEVENTH EPISTLE TO One of the NOBILITIE IN SILESIA Our Salvation is in tâ—e life of Jesus Christ in us 1. NOBLE and right Honourable Sir The Divine light and the internal Divine contemplation of the Soule in it selfe and all bodily wellfare with syncere wishes and cooperating desires of fellowship and Member-like society in Our IMMANVEL premised 2. Seeing I have observed that you are a lover of Divine Wisedome and also a growing branch in the Life-Tree of God in Christ in whom all the Children of God are as Members and moreover perceived how the drawing of the Father hath brought you into an hungry desire after the true Sap and Divine Power and likewise in some measure hath enriched you with the knowledge of the same Tree of Life thereupon I have taken occasion in a Christian and Member-like property and desire after the same Life-Tree of Christ once more to salute you and mutually to exhort one another as Labourers set in the Vineyard of Christ and called to this Worke. 3. Especially that we looke well to our selves in this valley of darknesse and lift up our eyes and heads in that we see the darknesse and the very workings thereof before our eyes and put our selves in minde that Christ hath taught us that Our Redemption draweth neere and indeed Goe out from Babel which hath a long time held us captive and imprisoned 4. And not regard the loud cry and pratings where they promise to us golden-Mantles of grace and put them about us and comfort â—ickle and flatter us with a strange pretence or shew of holinesse as if we were received to be Children of grace from without by a sundry particular Election also that we looke not upon or regard Our owne Merits or abilities 5. All which availe nothing before God but a new Creature in Christ borne of God availeth before God for Christ is onely the Grace which availes with God 6. Now whosoever is borne of Christ and liveth and walketh in him and puts him on according to his inner man in his Suffering Death and Resurrection he is a Member on his body from him onely flow the streames of living Water through the powerfull Word of Christ which as to the internall ground is become Man in him and doth speake forth it selfe out of him through the Creature in the Cosmick Spirit of the externall Man 7. For as God hath manifested the grand Mystery wherein the whole Creation hath lyen in an Essentiall manner without formings out of the power of his Word and through the grand Mystery hath expressed the word of powers into the
working for without this none is a Christian 11. Christ must wholly receive and take possession of the internall ground of the soule that the severe justice of God which holdeth us captive in the Anger might be satisfied with Christs fulnesse and effectuall merit that Christ may fulfill the anger of God in us with love and mortifie the will of the Devill and also the nature in the wrath of God and wholly annihilate it's will that so he may dye in the love of Christ and bring forth a new will in the Lâ—ve-spirit of Christ through the nature of the soule which liveth and walketh in God as St. Paul saith Our conversation is in the Lord. 12 Lip-labour and the Pratings of the mouth avail nothing the same make no Christian a Christian must alwaies be borne or regenerated of Christ else he is no Christian no outward imputed righteousnesse or grace helpeth at all 13. All the comforting flattering soothing and dissembling is but in vaine where the purple-mantle of Christ is put upon the man of iniquity and malice or the Cain-like hypocrite who from without will be an adopted Child of grace 14. For no Whore or one that is impregnated can be a Virgin albeit she puts on a maides Garland yea no Prince or Potentate can grace her with any Virginitie 15. Thus the flattering hypocrisie and comforting with Christs Merits and promises is to be understood unlesse we be converted and become like Children which hang on the breasts of their Mother and receive and conceive in us the Ens or essentiall Power of Christ which destroyeth the Harlot that a new spirit may be borne in us out of Christ which hath in it Christs sufferings and death that we be borne out of his Resurrection and resigne up our selves into the whole processe of Christ which is the imputed grace in Christ 16. A Christian must be begotten and regenerated of the same grace that he be a christian in and of Christ namely a true branch in the tree which is Christ that the Engrafted word of life may spring forth and become essentiall living and working in the soule and then the merit of Christ and the imputed grace doth avail when he is growing on the tree as to the internall ground 17. Beloved friend Mr. Frederick your questions require a large declaration in the Treatise or Commentary upon Genesis they be all determined at large and if you obtain the eyes and fight of Christ then there need not any such questions at all in such smal things which indeed are too high for Reason but in Christ they are nothing but a Childlike play but however I will answer you breifly thus The First Poynt Of the Serpent which after the Curse must eate Earth and Creep upon the Belly 18. First concerning the Article of the Serpent which after the curse must feed upon Earth and creep upon the Belly I answer that her Shape and Forme was such but her Body and Spirit was not so evill in the fiery Science of the ground of nature as after the Curse 19. For both Tinctures of good and evill of the originall of the first and second principle were manifest in her and therefore she was so exceeding Cunning that the nature was able to see in her Centre in the Tinctures the ground of the whole creation 20. She was in her ground before the Creaturall originall whence she in the Grand Mystery was put into the Severation to a creature a faire and excellent Ens of great power and vertue 21. But the Devills Imaginations when he sate like an Enthroned Prince in the ground of nature in very high power and dominion poysoned this Ens which in the Severation formed it selfe into a Serpent and therefore he made use of her for his Instrument by the same cunning and by the same poyson in which lay the mightiest power to make Eve monstrous 22. Yee Physitians It behoveth you doubtlesse well to know and understand the Mystery of the Serpent and whaâ— lyeth hid under her poyson if you take out the same and proceed aright in the processe thereof then you may get a Tincture against poyson the like whereof is not to be had 23. Shee was in the Ens of the Grand Mystery before shee was a Creature a Virgin but after the Curse shee became an Whore Magically or Parabolically to be understood 24. She saw in her the ground of the inward and outward World and therefore one must come out of the inward World and kill her monster which she hath putt upon Eve and an whole Booke might be written of what the desire of the Devill hath wrought by and through her 25. But when she did helpe to deceive the Image of God then God accursed the same that she became blind as to the internall ground and was also altogether Manifest in the four Elements and so she fell into the Earth whence the body was taken and moreover she fell onely to the wrath or bad part of the Earth she can no more obtain or reach the good part or quality of the Earth as other Beasts doe and therefore shee must eate Earth namely the property of the curse in the Earth 26. Shee was a flying Worme else nature would have provided her legges as other Wormes have on Earth but her nimblenesse wily subtlety and cunning made Eve to long after the forbidden fruit The Second Point Of Paradise and the Garden Eden 27. Paradise was the temperature in Man when hee knew not what good and evill was where the Divine light did shine through Nature and Tinctured and tempered all things for Paradise is revealed in us againe in Christ as to the internall ground 28. But when God saw and knew that he would fall then Paradise sprung not forth with fruit any more through the Earth in the whole World albeit it was every where manifest but onely in the Garden of Eden where Adam was tempted for that is the place but Paradise is the quality to wit the life of God in the similitude or Harmony of the universall Being The Third Point Whether the Beasts being they were in Paradise and more-over wholly earthly did also feed upon Paradisicall fruit 29. Beloved Friend Mr. Frederick every Spirit eateth of its Mother out of what the Eeasts were of that likewise they did eate namely of the fifth Essence of the Earth in the Cosmick spirit for the deepest ground of the Beasts is not by many degrees like unto Man thus did they feed upon their Mother namely the spirit of them feeds upon the Cosmick spirit and the body upon the foure Elements 30. God knew very well that man would not stand but fall what use or profit then should the Paradificall food be to the Beasts in the Quintessence there lyeth indeed a Paradificall property upon that they feed even to this day for in every Beast there is a power which is incorruptible which the Cosmick spirit draweth
you and will no longer to your selfe but onely what Christ willeth through you 20. Deare Sir I feare me there is yet somewhat in you that is displeasing to Christ by reason whereof there is such strife in you Christ willeth that you should with him dye to your owne will in his death and arise in his will and live with him and Christ is at present in your soule and striveth for your soule 21. Let all earthly will goe and resigne up your selfe wholly and fully let joy and sadnesse comfort and conflict be all one unto you and so you shall with Christ be a Conquerour over the World Devill Death and Hell and at last finde by experience what Christ hath beene in you and wherefore this hath hapned unto you which hath been the processe of all the children of Christ I speake out of Christian affection Dated on the day of Christs going to his Suffering and Dying AN. DOM. 1623. J. B. THE FOURTEENTH EPISTLE TO FREDERICK CRAUSEN AT GOLTBERG The open Fountaine in the heart of Jesus Christ be our refreshment and constant Light 1. WORTHY Learned and kind Sir my Friend and beloved Brother in Christ all hearty wishes of the love illumination and blessing of God premised your diligent Study in the Divine Wisedome is very acceptable and joyous to me 2. And so much the more in that I perceive in your Letter that God hath opened your heart and spirit to a right understanding and I wish from my heart as indeed I doe not at all doubt that the precious Corall in the humanity of Christ might againe spring forth in the spirit of Christ and his tender humanity in us from the inward man in your Paradisicall Plant withered in Adam and bring forth true fruits for the Table of God 3. And that the noble and pretious branch may be fast engrafted in the vine of Christ and spring forth a fresh from the same and may blossome with us amidst this present wicked Thorny World and helpe to â—oretell the Summer of Christ in his time of the Lilly indeed some branches out of Christs Rose-garden doe here and there appeare and doe spring forth as a wonder of God in the midst of the fire of tribulation in Babel 4. But that you say my Writings have given you some direction goe to be thankfull to God for it who thus manifesteth his wonders and deep hidden wisdome by mean and unexercised People and sets them for a light to the children who in the Cradle of the World worke in their Babel and Fable and that they are convinced by mean Simplicity that their workes will and life is onely a carved Image and a forged selfish invention that hath not its foundation and root in him 5. As at present the most high hath given us manifoldly to understand whence in short time his wonders in his hidden wisdome are and shall be declared to the World in Writings for the light thereof in which our posterity and all those who obtain understanding from God in them shall not onely wonder but exceedingly rejoyce 6. I understood by Mr Walter that you have received some of my Writings which doe much delight you yet I could wish that you had the last peeces also which are more plaine and cleare and have a Sweeter foundation in which the manifested God may be knowne in all his wonders and workes very clearely 7. They will in many places open more light unto you in your practice for the ground of nature is very clearly discovered therein as also our very fair pleasant Garden of Christ of the new birth 8. Beloved Frederick it will give you much furtherance to temporall and eternall exercise and I hope that you being an engraffted cyon shall not breake of from the tree of the Divine wisdome for shortly there will come a time when it shall be of needfull use and you shall rejoyce among the firstlings that goe out from Babel 9. I highly thank you for your Present which I have received and I shall for its recompence cary it in my will into the Mystery of the most high and it shall be received as a treasure for you and I acknowledge hereby your true open heart 10 However the Pearl will not be therefore given but for nothing as God hath done for us in Christ and so one member is bound unto the other and I commend you to the sweet and pleasant love of Jesus Christ and exhort you further to seeke after the Pearl Dated 17. July 1622. J. B. THE FIFTEENTH EPISTLE The Salvation and Light of God in the life of Jesus Christ enlighten you and give you further to understand his will 1. COURTEOUS Sir and good Friend I cannot but rejoyce with you in that you have given up your life to be a plant of God and so it springeth and buddeth sorth in the body of Jesus Christ the Sonne of God who hath begotten us againe to a living creature in himselfe and hath set us before his Father as a lovely plant in his pleasant Paradisicall Garden to his joy and deeds of Wonder 2. And I finde if I consider aright that you are not onely a Plant of God for your selfe but as a pleasant Hearb and Flower doth not hold its strength and vertue within its Selfe but doth cast forth and diffuse its vertue for a sweet rellish unto all living Essences and freely presents it selfe unto all creatures what ever become of it and so it doth not spare it selfe but continually produceth its power and smell 3. And thus I finde it to be with the soule of man which continually groweth and freely yeeldeth its power or vertue for him to tast that desireth it and is capable of receiving its power be it either to love or anger to the life of God in Christ or to the life of pride leading into the utmost drift of misery which in the end befalls those that are not growne in God 4. But praiâ—e glory and honour unto those who are regenerate in Christ who although they doe here lose their life and appeare before the Sting of the Thoâ—ny Plant as a poore uselesse Hearb that is trampled under foot but as an Hearb that is out downe and â—s no more seene or discerned and reason sayth it is quite gone but for all that it hath its root in the Earth and springeth up thus likewise the soule of the Saints is engrafted into the holy life of Jesus Christ and standeth in God his Father and springeth forth againe through Death 5 At which seeing we have knowne the same effectually we doe rejoyce and therefore we esteeme the life of this World which confisteth in the source of the Stars and Elements as the least and doe rejoyce that we are the Children of God 6. Seeing we know that God is really in us and yet he is hidden to our earthly life therefore we know that our soule is in God and springeth up in God and the
snarl us in despaire and so to open a gate of all lewdnesse and wantonnesse 4. And therefore he liketh not the tast of the open fountaine of Christ in my writings whereupon I have made short a declaration upon his annexed pamphlet and have given it onely in breife to the consideration of him that reads my Book seeing the ground is else where sufficiently and satisfactorily to be found in my writings that men may see how this Carping Pamphletter thinketh to beguil and bereave us of the cheifest treasure on which our Eternall Salvation and happinesse dependeth and that with Cunning words by alleadging and quoting of the Scripture as a Toad that sucketh poyson out of honey even so he Perverteth the Scripture as is to be seen in his description of the Virgine Mary and the promised seed of the Woman how he therein falsifiyeth and imbittereth the Scripture whereupon he buildeth the Election 5. At the which I am much grieved in my heart that the man is so burthened and possessed with such an opinion which burthen is very heavy and he cannot get rid of it unlesse he learne to understand the Centre of all Beings whence good and evill arise what Gods love and anger is and learne to understand the Three Principles else he will not be freed from such Opinions 6. Albeit I wonder not that my Writings seeme strange unto him for there is somewhat New that surpasseth the reach of reason they have another sense another understanding then his another root whence they spring for I have not gathered them together from the Letter neither learned I them from other mens Writings I was an ignorant childe in that respect as Lay men usually are I knew nothing of such things I sought it not also in such a way I sought onely the heart and open well-spring of Jesus Christ to hide my selfe from the Tempest of Gods anger and from the opposition of the Devill that so I might get a guid and leader that might rule and direct me in my life 7. But when this did presse so hard upon me and my minde forced so strongly into the Combate against sinne and death and towards the mercy of God that I was resolved rather to part with my life then to give in or desist such a Garland was then set upon me which I hope to enjoy and rejoyce in it for ever and I have no Pen sufficient to describe it much lesse can I expresse it with my mouth and from thence my knowledge came and also the desire to set it down onely for my owne memoriall and I was intended to keepe it by me till the last of my dayes and how it came to passe that it was published you know Sir very well by Mr. N. But Gods providence and permission herein was such that you and your Brother were called as Firstlings unto it by whose meanes it was propagated 8. Therefore I exhort and entreat you for the eternall salvation sake to heed and minde well the Pearle that God favoureth us with for there will come a time that it shall be sought after and greatly accepted of let no stormy gusts drive you to and fro but looke upon it aright and pray God the most High that he would be pleased to open the doore of knowledge without which no man will understand my Writings for they surpasse and transcend the Astrall Reason they apprehend and comprehend the Divine birth therefore there must also be the very like spirit to understand them aright no speculation or acute apprehension or notion of reason reacheth them unlesse the minde be illuminated from God to the finding of which the way is faithfully shewn unto the seeking Reader 9. I speake in good truth and syncerity before God and Man and appeale also therewith before the judgement of God and declare that there is no good at all in any Disputing without Gods light and spirit also nothing that is permanent constant undoubtedly grounded or well-pleasing to God may arise from thence 10. Therefore he that will learne to understand the right and true way to God fundamentally let him depart and forsake his owne Reason and enter into a penitent humble and to God resigned childlike or filiall life and so he shall obtaine heavenly power and skill and shall put on Christs filiall spirit that shall lead him into all truth else there is no true way to God but this onely 11. If it come so farre that the Virgins Garland be set upon him he shall not need say any more Teach me c. For it is written They shall all be taught of God otherwise I have no knowledge skill or understanding I have been in my Writings as a young scholar that goeth to schoole or as a shower that passeth by what it lighteth upon it hits thus hath my apprehension beene even to this day 12. The Booke Aurora was my first childish beginning I wrote also contrary to Reasons conceit onely according to the appearance of light in a magicall cabalisticall or parabolicall manner I understood it very well but it was not sufficiently explained it needed a more large description and exposition for I intended to have kept it by me but it was taken from me against my will and Published as you Sir know and I commend me into your favor and us all into the meeke love of Jesus Christ Dated the third of July Anno Dom. 1621. THE SEVENTEENTH EPISTLE Worthy and much respected Noble Sir 1. THE hearty salutation and desire of Divine love and fulnesse of joy in Our IMMANVEL in his wondrous sweet power with all bodily and temporall welfare premised I give you friendly to understand that I have entirely considered of the conference lately held and being I perceive you to be a zealous lover of the truth and Divine Mysteries I would not omit to visit you with this Epistle seeing opportunity hath beene given me to answer somewhat upon the Article of a Person who opposed me in the Article of Gods Free-grace of Election and I have sent this my Answer for you to read over 2. But so far forth as the minde cannot rest satisfyed with this little I am ready and willing if it be desired to write such a Book and to enlarge and unfold it so out of the Centre that the heart might rest satisfyed thereupon albeit I should suppose that Christian might finde so much in this little that he might be satisfyed in reference to this and other Articles 3. But seing neverthelesse that this Article hath perplexed many men and thereupon such opinions are stated and concluded which doe set open a gate for all iniquity unto the World I am therefore greived at it being it is given me to know from the most high that this article hath not as yet been understood from the very ground and I wish from my heart that it might be understood that we might not looke so strangely one upon another as Men Devills
light and effectuall working power of God in our Life-Tree Jesus Christ together with all bodily welfare 2. Upon the desire of your selfe and Mr. N. I have considered those sayings of scripture which Mr. N. set downe in his Letter which you delivered to me wherein I was exhorted to expound the same in Christian love according to my gifts and understanding but especially the ninth and eleventh Chapter of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans at which Reason stumbleth which I have not onely done willingly and readily in Christian obligation and good affection with expounding those alleadged Texts but I have also set downe and described the true GROVND of the Divine Manifestation in such a manner that I hope men will see the truth 3. But if there be a minde divinely bent and addicted that can give the honour unto God I hope it will be understood and taken according to my meaning and apprehension and not otherwise interpreted as was done formerly which I passe over and rather prefer christian love as we are bound in Christ to instruct one another friendly in our severall gifts and therein give God the honour and despise none in his Divine gifts for he that doth so he blasphemeth the holy spirit and against such a one the Scripture pronounceth an hard sentence 4. Now although this Treatise be somewhat large yet let not the Reader account it tedious and irksome for I thought it of little importance for me to goe about to prove and cleare such a writing without sufficient ground and therefore I have set the alleadged places of Scripture upon the inner most ground and shewne how they Originally arise out of their centre and what their sence and understanding is 5. For it is not enough that I should gather together a great heap of scripture places for to oppose and contradict the alleadged no no this avariseth nothing before God and the truth for the least tittle or letter of this Law shall not passe away till all be fulfilled saith Christ the sayings of the scripture must remaine true and not clash one against another and though they seem to be contrary and gainsay one another yet it is onely to those to whom the understanding of them is not given and are not gifted or made capable to explain and interpret them 6. But he that will undertake clearely to interpret them aright he must have the understanding of the Accordance that he may know how to reconcile those places which unto reason seem contradictory and not transfer or place them upon a conjecture or opinion whether it be so or no if he will teach fundamentally and assuredly thereof for from opinion and conjecture ariseth onely strife and controversy upon which great Babylon is erected Viz. the spirituall pride and Whoredome where one will be an Apostle and yet is not sent or acknowledged of God but he runneth in opinion and in the driving or instigation of the Cosmick Spirit 7. And albeit many runne in the Drawing of the Father yet if the true light of the eternall life in the word of the Divine essence being an expressing or spiration of the holy and also of the naturall word in its severation whence the creation is arisen and whence good and evill have their Originall doth not appeare unto and illuminate him he will be far from being able to unite the supposed contraries of the Scripture-sayings and to speake from ONE centre so that not the least tittle be diminished in the Accordance or reconcilement of them 8. The which I set downe not to displease N. or any other but onely by reason of the long continued opposite disagreement of reason in which the World runneth astray and truth lyeth Vailed wherby men in this article about the will of God doe so judge and run on in reason and its reasonings without ground but where Christ is borne in man there strife ceaseth and God the Father speaketh his Word in Christ through the soule of man to such conclusions and reasonings there must be an inward divine light which affordeth certainty else there is no grounding upon the reason 9. You may get this Treatise of Mr Michael of Ender who hath now received it which containeth in my owne hand Writing about 42 sheets and if you are pleased to communicate the same to N as your good friend and Kinsman I am content provided that you tell him that he would not understand it so as if I had written anything therein passionately against him or any other for such passions or affections lye not so near in my soule without Vrgent and great cause albeit I am not without failings and declinings yet my Saviour Christ in me hath shewne me such grace that all invectives and opposite objections against me by one word which proceeds out of Divine love towards nâ—e where I perceive a divine earnestnesse doe fall away and are rejected as a weed which I would not williâ—gly plant in my Garden for from thence groweth nothing but a naughty weed again 10. Further it is againe desired of N out of christian love that seeing upon his desire I have expounded his alleadged places of Scripture according to my small gifts which are knowne unto God he would be pleased if this my exposition did dislike him and were not in his opinion sufficiently grounded and fundamentall to doe me so much favour as to expound the alleadged texts especially the 9. and 10. Ch. of the Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans and even those very Scriptures which I have explained together with the whole ground of the Divine will to good and evill how its originall is in man or out of man and unâ—old and declare them in a sensall manner 11. And then I desire that he would declare and expound unto me the inspired word of grace in the seed of the Woman in Paradise and then the two lines Viz. Of the Kingdome of the Corrupt humane nature and of the Kingdome of grace in the in-spoken voice of grace 12. Or if my exposition in respect of Abraham Ishmael Isaac and also of Jacob and Esav did not like him that he out of christian love would shew his gifts and expound the ground of them that I might finde his gifts and understanding in those places and then if I can see that God hath gifted him with a larger measure of understanding in these high Mysteries then me I will accept it with great gladnesse and will love him in his gifts and give thankes unto our God therein and I will rejoyce with him as a member in our gifts in the spirit of Christ all which would conduce more to the profit and benefit of our brethren and christian fellow-members and would be more Godly commendable and praise-worthy then a raw contradiction out off affections for mans willfull selfe sake 13. But I pray unto my God in Christ that he would be pleased to open his heart that his soule
our secret discourse as you know you must yet be patient to goe on in that knowne proâ—esse a good while and in this beginning no other will be admitted it may well in the seventh yeare be accomplished in this processe for it must bee opened through all the six Properties of the spirituall Ground albeit it is already opened through the Sunne yet the Key is scarce come into the first or second degree of the Centre of nature for each property among the six formes of the spirituall life hath a sundry or peculiar Sunne in it from the strength influence and originall of the light of nature that is of the Essentiall Sunne and are to be opened in order as their birth and originall is 9. First Saturnes Sunne is opened through the Key of the outward Sunne that the Severation of nature is discerned Secondly Jupiters Sun is opened and then the powers are discerned as a blossoming Tree and hither to you are come 10. Thirdly Mars Viz. the fire-soule is opened and then Virgin Venus appeareth in her white robes and playeth with the soule to see if it might move the same to the desire of Love it goeth out and in up and downe with the soule and lovingly accolates with it to see whether it would introduce the fugitive properties of selfe-will where the soule departed out of the temperature into the fugitive life of the divided properties of the body againe into her that Virgin Venus might be againe animated or Soulized and re-obtaine the Fires Tincture wherein its joy and its life consisteth 11. For Virgin Venus is the splendor of the white in the Sunne understood in this place but the ability to the shining is not its owne the spirituall water is its owne propriety which water ariseth out of the fire where the separation beginneth in the Salniter in Mars his Sun then Virgin Venus separates it selfe in it selfe and covereth her selfe with a Copper Vesture for Mars would have her for a propriety but he desiles her exceedingly in his malignity and spatters in earth and rust for he cannot have her as his espoused unlesse he gives her his owne fire will for a propriety and that hee willeth not and therefore they strive a long time they are marryed ones but they are faithlesse to each other 12. And even then comes the Sun and openeth the Sun of Mercury which is the fourth Key where you shall see great wonders how God hath created the Heaven and the Earth and moreover the ground of the foure Elements and if you then rightly observe you shall see your owne proper Genius unfolded before you and see how the Word is become Man Viz. the expressed Word in the re-expressing or speaking it selfe forth into the severation of the Powers you will see how Virgin Venus is severed and how the formes of nature doe take her into them and goe about in a pitifull estate with her and take her into their owne Domination and change themselves in her into a purple colour they would murther but shee is their Baptisme to the new life in this place 13. The fifth Key is Virgin Venus her selfe wherewith shee openeth her Gold Viz. the Sunne that shee giveth her will and faire Garland to the murtherers so that shee standeth as one impregnate or humbled then supposeth the Artist that he hath the new child but he is far enough from it till the birth thereof 14. The sixth Key is Luna when the Sun openeth this then Mars Jupiter and Saturne must all forsake their owne will and let their fugitive aspiring Pompe fall for the Sun in Luna taketh them into the Incarnation then the Artist beginneth to be sad and thinketh he hath lost but his hope shall not be ashamed for the Moone in its opened Sun is so hungry after the true Sun that shee attracteth it with force and effect into them whereupon Mars quaileth in his wrath and dyeth away in his owne right and then Virgin Venus receiveth him and insinuates with her love into him whereby Mars in Jupiter and Saturne is quick in this love of a joyfull life and all the six properties doe give their will in to Venus and shee giveth her will to the Sunne and then the life is borne that standeth in the Temperature 15. Deare Mr Doctor the pen is not to be trusted yet have a care unto the worke it will be so and no otherwise move it not least Mercury be enraged before his opening for outwardly he is evill but inwardly he is good and the true life yet Mars is â—ne cause to life also they proceed not so plainely and punctually in the order with their opening albeit the opening is done in Order but the sensall wheel turneth it self about and windeth inwardly till Saturne cometh with his will into the internall ground and then he standeth in the Temperature and produceth no longer inclinations but all that you now see are the revolting fugitive spirits and Vaunt with Virgin Venus but they live all in Whoredome and they must be converted and turne into the inner ground that they may be fixed this is done so long till Virgin Venus looseth her materiall grosse impure water in which the Adulterers wantonize with her in false-will that so she may become holy spirituall and then the sun shineth in her which changeth the nature into love 16. Loving Mr Doctor the Phylosophicall body is the spirituall water from the fire and light Viz. The power of the fire and of the light when it is severed from its grossâ—esse through the opening of all the properties of nature then it is rightly spirituall then the Solar spirit receiveth no other property at all into it selfe save onely that which is able to reach its sensall Sun in the opened for the sun taketh nothing into it selfe but its likenesse it taketh its Heaven out of the earth if you will understand me aright for it is its food whence it generates a young Sun in it selfe which is also called Sol but it is a body therefore I say unto you keep you diligently and precisely to it you shall well rejoyce if God let you live so long if onely you have the right Father which I have sounded for and am greatly in love with him 17. This is well knowne to me for I have lately seen it at which I doe not onely wonder but rejoyce therein much is revealed to me and albeit I might write somewhat more largely yet it is not necessary in this processe also the pen is not to be trusted it may be done another time and I pray you to keep this Letter secret and in faithfulnesse if I come to you I may entrust you with somewhat which I have lately seen and received yet I shall goe so far as I dare if opportunity give way and the troubles which are nigh hinder me not then I come to Breslaw about Shrovetide and so I may visit you
in my returne 18. Mr Doctor become seeing read the treatise of Election with inward deliberation or ponderings it hath more in it in its internall ground then outwardly in reference to the sayings of the Scripture is to be expressed which inward ground I dare not give or unfold to the unwise 19. Be faithfull in the Mysteries and account the wicked World not worthy of them in its coveteousnesse what you cannot understand Parabolically there questions are requisite somewhat more shall be revealed to you yet in order onely to doe that I am prohibited by the Prince of the Heavens in nature and manner of the blossoming earth I dare well doe it 20. Therefore imitate the Bees that gather honey of many flowers often writing might doe you service yet what you please God takes God need takes need each thing receiveth its like THE THREE AND TWENTIETH EPISTLE TO CHRISTIANUS STEENBERGER DOCTOR OF PHYSICK Our Salvation is in the life of Jesus Christ in U S. 1. WORTHY Learned Christian deare Friend all hearty wishes of Divine Love and Grace premised Desiring that the Fountain of Divine love might be opened through the Sun of life unto you whence the Divine water springeth as I doubt not but the Bridegroom hath called his Bride Viz. Your soule to this well-spring seeing I understand that God hath placed you under the Crosse and Tribulation 2. This is the first marke and signe of the Noble Sophia wherewith shee signeth her Children for shee useth to manifest her selfe through the thornes of Gods anger as a faire Rose on the thorny Bush so farre forth as the soule keepeth it vow and fidelity for there must be a faithfull and firme Bond and Covenant between the soule and this fire burning Love of God 3. Man must set upon such a purpose that he will enter into Christs bitter passion and death and dye therein dayly to his sins and evill vanities and pray earnestly unto God for the renewing of his minde and understanding He must be anointed and illuminated of the holy spirit and put on Christ with his suffering death and resurrection that he may be a true branch on the vine of Christ in whom Christ himselfe worketh and ruleth according to the internall ground of his Spirit 4. Which Mystery is comprehended in faith where the deity and humanity are then conjoined according to that same internal ground in manner as the fire doth through heare the Iron and yet the Iron retaines its substance but so long as the fire burneth therein it is changed into a meer fire 5. Not that the creature apprehends it in its owne might but it is apprehended when the will doth wholly resigne it selfe up to God and the spirit of God ruleth in this resigned will and the will is the true Temple of the holy Ghost wherein Christ dwelleth essentially not in an Imaginary thought-like creaturely manner but as the fire in the Iron or as the Sun in an hearb where the influentiall power of the sun doth forme and make it selfe essentiall in and with the tincture of the hearb 6. Thus it is to be understood likewise in the spirit of man when the holy power of God doth sorme and Image it selfe in mans spirit and faith and becomes a spirituall being or essence which onely the soules mouth of faith doth lay hold on and not the earthly man in flesh and bloud which is mortall it is an Immortall Being wherein Christ dwelleth in man it is the Heaven of God enstamped on the little World and it is a Revelation of the place Throne or seat of God where the paradise doth again spring forth and beare fruit 7. Therefore the Dragon must be first slain and albeit he yet hangeth unto the earthly flesh as the rind and barke on the tree yet the spirit liveth in God as Saint Paul saith our conversation is in Heaven and as Christ also said he that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud he abideth in me and I in him also without me you can doe nothing 8. Therefore I say if any one be a true Christian he is so in Christ he is begotten and innate in the life and spirit of Christ and puts on the Resurrection of Christ for thus the satisfaction of Christ is imparted to him and thus also Christ doth overcome sin death Devill and Hell in him and thus he is reconciled and united with God in Christ 9. For the new birth is not a grace imputed from without that we need onely comfort our selves with Christs Merits and continue in the Hypocrisie of sin no it is a childlike innaâ—e grace that God hath put Christ with the Justification on the convert that Christ also doth redeem him in himselfe with the power of his Resurrection from Gods anger else he is no Christian let him flatter and make devout shewes in hipocrisie as he pleaseth 10. Concerning the interpretation of some words and also of that which you desire of me which are specifyed in my Book called Aurora which have very hidden Meanings the knowledge whereof was given me of the most High I give you to understand that at present it is not convenient to write at large and Expressly thereof in Letters seeing the time is dangerous and the Enemy of Christ doth horribly rage and rave till a little time be past yet I will give you a short hint further to consider of it 11. As first there is a twofold meaning of the Northern Crowne The first poynteth at the Crowne of life Viz. The Spirit of Christ which shall be manifest in the mid'st of the great darknesse Viz. In the contrition or distresse of the sensible nature of the Conscience where a peculiar motion is present then commeth the Bridegroome Viz. The power of Christ in the mid'st of such a motion 12. The other signification is a Figure of the outward Kingdome where the great confusions entanglements and contentions shall be when as the Nations shall stand in controversie There also is the figure Viz. the Victory intimated as it stands in the Spirituall figure how it shall goe and what People shall at last Conquer and how in the mean while in such lamentable time of Tribulation Christ shall be made manifest and knowne and that after and in that miserable time the great mysteries shall be revealed that men shall be able to know even in Nature the hidden God in Trinity in which knowledge the strange Nations shall be converted and turn Christians and therein is signifyed how the Sectarian contentions in Religion shall be destroyed in such Manifestation for all gates will be set open and then shall all unprofitable Praters which at present lye as so many Bars before the Truth be done away and all shall acknowledge and know Christ which Manifestation shall be the last then the Sun of life shall shine upon all Nations and even then the Beast of inquity with the Whore end their dayes which is
his Mother of the great World did set his Imagination lust and longing upon the Mother of nature and desired the food of the first Principle wherein the Originall and birth of nature the source of Anger and the most Anxious birth whence all the comprehensible things of this World are made doe consist whereupon he is become capable of the same being he stood upon the same root 9. Thus he is according to the body and also according to the spirit become a Child of this created World which ruleth acteth and leadeth him and also giveth him his meat and drink and hath conceiveth in him the corruptibility and painfulnesse and hath gotten a Bestiall body which must again Corrupt in its Mother 10. For he should not have the Monstrous form the constellation of the great World should not domineer over him but he had his owne Constellation in himselfe which did assimulate with the holy Heaven of the Second Principle of the Divine Being that is with the rising and birth of the Divine Nature 11. Now man is not so farre broken and decayed as if he were not any more the first man whom God created onely he hath gotten the monstrous forme which is corruptible and hath its beginning onely and meerly from the most outward and third Principle and hath awakned and opened in him the Gate of the first Principle being the severe earnest Source which however burneth in the great created World and is wholly enkindled in the damned 12. But the right man which God created which onely is the true right man is yet hidden in this Corrupt man and if he denyeth himselfe in his beastiall forme and liveth not according to the acting driving and will of the same but surrenders himselfe to God with his whole minde thoughts and senses then this man liveth in God and God worketh in him the will and the deed for all is in God 13. The right holy and heavenly man which is hidden in the monstrous is as well in Heaven as God and the Heaven is in him and the heart or light of God is begotten and borne in him that is God in him and he in God God is nearer to him then the Bestiall body 14. The Bestiall body is not his owne native Countrey where he is at home but he is therewith without Paradise but the right man regenerate and borne anew in Christ is not in this World but in the Paradise of God and albeit he is in the body yet he is in God 15. And though the Bestiall body dyeth yet nothing is done to the new man but it then commeth forth right out of the contrary Will and Torment house into its native Countrey there need not any farre removing or distance of place whither hee supposeth to goe that it might be better with him but God is manifest in him 16. The soule of man is out of the first Principle of God but in that it is no holy Being but in the Second Principle it is manifest in God and is a Divine Creature for even there the Divine light is borne therefore if the Divine light be not borne begotten or brought forth in it Viz. the Soule then God is not in it but it liveth in the most originall earnest Source where there is an Eternall contrariety enmity or contrary will in it selfe 17. But if the light be borne then there is joy love and pleasant delight in the Creature and the new Man which is the Soule is in God How should not there be knowledge where God is in the Creature 18. Now it lyeth not in the willing running and toiling of the Creature to know the depths of the deity for the soule knoweth not the divine Centre how the divine essence is generated but it depends on Gods will how he will manifest it 19. Now then if God doth manifest himselfe in the soul what hath the soule done towards it nothing it hath onely the Longing or travelling to the birth and looketh to God in whom it liveth whence the divine light commeth apparent and shining in it and the first fierce earnest Principle whence mobility doth originally arise is changed into Triumphing joy 20. Therefore it is a very unjust thing that the World doth so rage and rave so Tyranize reproach contemne and revile when the gifts of God doe shew themselves differently in man and all have not one and the same knowledge 21. What can a man take unto himselfe if it be not borne in him which notwithstanding standeth not in mans choise as he desires or liketh of it but as his Heaven is in him so likewise is God manifest in him 22. For God is not a God of Destruction in the birth or Universall Generation but an illuminator enkindler and nourisher and each Creature hath its owne Centre in it selfe let it live eyther in the holynesse of God or in the anger of God God will however be manifest in all Creatures 23. If the World were not so blind it might know the wonderfull Being of God in all Creatures but now that it doth so rage and rave it doth it wholly against it self and against the holy Spirit of God at whose light they shall once be astonished they shall not hinder the Sonne which the Travelling Mother bringeth forth in her old Age for this the Heaven declareth 24. God shall enlighten him against all the raging and raving of the Devill and his light splendor or glory shall reach from the East unto the West I write not of my selfe but I onely foreshew that this is at hand and shall come 25. I would gladly have pleasured you at present with what I promised wherein all that is herein touched and hinted at might be clearly explained and also what that good and known Doctor hath desired touching the Originall Being life and drift of man and of his soule and also his Finall End onely it is not yet finished 26. For the gifts which were once given mee of God are not therefore quite dead and gone albeit they were hid by the Devill and the World yet now they oftentimes appeare and shew themselves more deep and more wonderfull 27. And very shortly God willing you shall receive somewhat thereof for there is an higher beginning made towards it especially of the THREE PRINCIPLES of the Divine Being and so forth of all the things which are promised in my Booke 28. Onely I am much busied with worldly affaires and employments else a great part might have been finished but I will be diligent by Divine and earnest Exercise what God will shall be done And herewith I commend you into the Protection of the Almighty Dated 18. Jan. 1618. Written in haste J. B. THE SIX AND TWENTIETH EPISTLE TO CHARLES of ENDERN 1. THE Love in the heart of God the Father and the light of his power in the life of Jesus Christ be our refreshment and helpe us to the new birth that
the true Image may appeare to Gods honour and deeds of wonder and cause the faire sprout of his Lilly to grow in us in the Paradisicall Garden of Jesus Christ 2. Noble Right Honourable Sir my humble and most willing Service with hearty wishes of all temporall and eternall prosperity premised I have received by the Bearer your Man a measure of Corne which you have sent unto mee and I thank you most kindly and I pray God Almighty Blesse you in abundance for it 3 Being Noble Sir you are so humble and doe not looke upon and regard what the World doth and also you doe not value the subtilty or pert prudency of the high but you seek and labour after that which the Lord of Heaven buildeth albeit it appeare foolishnesse in this World but it seemeth good in his sight to drive on his worke in meane low plaine and Childlike people that he onely might be exalted and no man might have wherewithall to boast and you likewise may surely hope for the same knowledge which is more beautifull and excellent then all pompe and riches of the World for all whatsoever is temporall doth leave and forsake Man but the honourable Garland or Trophy of Christ doth not forsake man in death but it bringeth him to the heavenly tryumphing Hoast of Angels into his right eternall native Countrey or home 4. Now seeing we know and exceedingly well understand that we are onely Pilgrims in this World in a strange lodging in very great danger lying captive in a sore and hard prison and must continually feare and expect death therefore Noble Sir you doe very well and deale more wisely then the prudent of the World in that you looke about you and endeavour after your Eternall native Countrey and not after the Pompe Power and Riches of this World as generally the high and great Ones doe 5. I make no doubt but that you herein shall obtaine a very faire Garland from the Virgin of the eternall wisedome of God which if it come to passe will be of more value and acceptance with you then all temporall riches and this whole World with all its Being and Splendor of which Crowne or Trophy of Sophia if I had no effectual knowledge I would not write for of the wise of this World who onely out of selfe pride without Gods spirit doe arrogate and attribute all knowledge and understanding to themselves I have not onely poore thankes but also nothing else but derision and scorne at the which I doe rejoyce the rather in that I beare reproach for the Name and knowledge-sake of God 6. For if my knowledge had beene gotten in their Schoole then they would imbrace and love their owne but that it is from another Schoole therefore they know it not and moreover they despise it as they have done unto all the Prophets Christ and his Apostles this shall not trouble or turne me aside but as I have begun I will depend on my God and Creatour with the greater earnestnesse and fixed resolution I will commit my selfe unto him let him doe with me what he please 7. I attribute no wisedome unto my selfe moreover I rely not upon any purpose or intention of reason for I see most plainly and finde it as cleare as the Sun that God goeth clean another way to worke 8. Therefore if we deal in a childlike manner and not in our reason but onely depend one him with true desire and right earnestnesse and put all our confidence in him then we obtain sooner the noble Virgin of his wisedome then in our sharp inventions and acute reasonings for when shee cometh shee bringeth true Wisedome and Heavenly understanding along with her and without the same I know nothing 9. But seeing you have a great delight to read such Writings concerning the highest being and as I hope it is Gods providence therefore I will not withhold from you what the cheifest good hath put me in trust withall but shortly I will send you something that is more full for there is a very wonderfull and excellent Booke begun concerning the life of man which if the Lord please to continue his hand over me shall clearely open what man is and what he hath to doe to obtain the cheifest good 10. For it goeth very clearly through the three Principles and sheweth the whole ground so that a man unlesse he will willfully of himselfe be blind may know God and the Kingdome of Heaven and also himselfe likewise our lamentable fall and also the restauration in the life of Jesus Christ and it shall especially treat of the fair Lillies which God will bestow upon the last World which will be very pleasant to be read 11. And though I know not sufficiently the full and whole ground what it shall be yet I see it in a great depth and I hope if God grant so much grace not to give over till it be finished and also for the future finish the promised writings which are now kept back by the Oppressour as also my Exposition upon Moses where the great wonders of God shall be clearely manifest to the light of the Day the which God will freely bestow and afford unto the last World 12. However at present all is in Babel and there shall a great rent be made yet let none despaire for as God helped the Children of Israel with Consolation in the Babilonicall Captivity and sent them Prophets even so shall now also Lillies grow up in the midst of Thornes and this is wonderfull 13. Also none need thinke that even now the whole Destruction of the City Babel shall come to passe there shall verily be an exceeding great Rent such a one as men now doe not beleeve for the Antichrist is not wholly revealed though verily in part 14. Men shall suppose that they have wholly rooted him out and after some sorrow great joy shall follow and they shall make Laws and Covenants together with severe sharpe Articles of Religion yet for the most part for the advancement of their Honour and Might and men shall suppose that the holy spirit of Heaven speaketh and now there is a golden World yet it sticketh full of Gods Anger and is still in Babel and the true Essence of the right life in Christ is not yet therein 15. Also the Rider on the Pale Horse shall come after and cut off many with the Sickle yet in the meane time the Lilly springeth in the wonders against which the last Antichrist shall raise Persecution even then commeth his End for the appearance of the Lord terrifieth him 16. And then Babel burneth up in the zeale and Anger of God and the same is wonderfull of which I have no power to write more plainely yet at that time my Writings shall be very serviceable for there commeth a time from the LORD which is not from the Starry Heaven 17. Blessed is he that seekes the Lord with full earnestnesse for he shall not
time given me out of his wel-spring of Grace 3. And albeit I have no ability to doe it at my pleasure yet my minde is so wholly enkindled in its Centre that I would very heartily and readily impart it to my bretheren in Christ and I continually entreat the Lord that he would be pleased to open the hearts of men that they might understand the same and that it may come in them to a right quick essentiall and living effect and operation 4. And from a syncere intention I would not conceale from you that I since the new Yeare upon the desire of some learned men and persons of quality have written a treatise of Election or of Gods will concerning man and so expressed and inlarged it out of such a ground or deep soundation that all Mysteries both of the outward visible Elementall and then also of the hidden spirituall World may be therein discerned and thereunto I have in an especiall manner alleadged the sayings of the holy scripture which speake of Gods will to harden and then of his un-willingnesse to harden and so tuned or harmonized them together that the right understanding and meaning of the same may be seen 5. And it is so proved and demonstrated that I hope in God that it shall give furtherance and occasion to take away that strife and controversy in the Churches which is known and manifest that the time is nigh and at hand that the contentions about Religion shall enter into the Temperature but with great ruination of the false Kingdome in Babel that hath set up it selfe in Christs stead together with other great alterations concerning which although men now will hardly believe me yet in a short time shall really appeare and shew themselves and this beloved Sir I would not for your further consideration and christian meditation omit to hint unto you c. THE THIRTIETH EPISTLE IMMANVEL 1. MY very Christian Brother and Friend all Cordiall wishes of Divine Love and further illumination with true persevering constancy and patience patiently to endure the Crosse of Christ premised 2. God in the very beginning of your knowledge hath Sealed you with the mark of Christ unto a further confirmation and hath Crowned you to be a Champion that you should worke as a true owner in his Service 3. And I exhort you as a Christian that you would with Prayer and supplication commit the cause to God in patience and stand qnietly under the Crosse of Christ and be diligent in your Talent entrusted to you you shall see great wonders and your Talent will be more and more pleasant and beloved for so Christ hath also taught us that we should forsake all for his Name sake and cleave onely unto him for he requireth a pure resigned soule in that he will dwell 4. You have no cause to be amazed or terrifyed God knoweth well for what use he employeth you commit your selfe onely to him in Patience and strive against reason which gainsayeth and contradicts and so you will dye unto the World and live unto Christ and then you will exercise your warfare aright for his loves sake and therefrom gain the Noble Crowne of eternall life where we shall rejoyce and injoy one another eternally 5. God hath planted him a Rose Garden in your young heart take heed that the Devill sow not thornes and thistles therein there will soon come another time that your Rose-bud shall bring forth its fruits strive not to be in Office but stand still unto the most high to what he will have you let the smoak of the Devill passe away rejoyce rather at this reproach in the mark of Christ c. THE ONE AND THIRTIETH EPISTLE Our Salvation is in the life of Jesus Christ 1. DEARE Sir and Christian Brother all faithfull Cordiall and syncere desires of my spirit of true Divine light power and knowledge with intimate joy in the Divine contemplation and in our Eternall fraternity in the life of Christ 2. I have received your Letter which you sent and I rejoyce in the Lord my God who doth so richly and abundantly impart his grace unto us and so open our hearts that we in the conjecture of our Gifts desire to Search into his wisedome and wonders 3. And your tendred friendship is very pleasing and acceptable to me and according as this letter doth import I acknowledge you for a springing and very desirous branch on the Vine Christ and also for my member and fellow twig on this Corall and I wish in the power of my knowledge that it may be a true constant and immoveable earnestnesse as I make no doubt but the pretious Coralline branch of the new birth is begotten in you out of Christs spirit and wisdome 4. Thereupon I also would faine with all my heart impart my little sap strength and influence out of Gods gifts unto my fellow-branches and twigs and helpe to quicken and refresh them in my weake power and also receive enjoyment of their gifts as we are obliged and bound mutually to doe for each other both from the command of God and also in the right of Nature unto which I am in an especiall manner driven in my gifts and for which sake I have spent much time and paines yet in great desire longing and delight and it hath been continually my earnest hope and the very drift and ayme of my desire to serve my Brethren in the Lord in the Vineyard of Christ 5. And though I am a simple man and un-expert and un-experienced in Scholastick Learning and Arts neither have I ever been â—ayned up to exercise my selfe in the workes of high masters and to comprehend great Mysteries in my Reason but in my outward occupation I have been a Tradesman wherein I have honestly maintained my selfe a long time yet my inward occupation and exercise hath with very earnest strong desire entred into the mortification of my sinfull man inherited from the corrupt Adam how I might dye to my selfehood and selfe will in the death of Christ and arise in his will to a new spirit and will of Divine renovation of minde and understanding 6. Thereupon I once so strongly and sixedly resolved rather to for one my earthly life then to desist from this Purpose and Combate and â—hat I have suffered therein and therefore the Lord knowes who so led me through his judgement of my sinnes but afterwards Crowned me with the fairest tryumphing aspect of his Divine Kingdome of joy which to expresse I have no Pen sufficient but doe willingly beteeme and heartily wish it to the Reader of this Epistle and to all the Children of God 7. And from this Tryumphing light or joyfull convincing illumination of God that hath been given to me which I hitherto have written for many yeares for I obtained therein so much grace as to see and know my owne Booke which I my selfe am Viz. the Image of God and moreover to
whether it proceed from Gods light from Gods spirit or from the Dominion or Government of the Stars 116. For Gods spirit speaketh plainely of his Mystery he onely declareth the Turba and letteth the Numbers alone he hath once signed and sealed the Mystery with the might of the first Principle in the Seven formes of Nature to the wonders of God and againe he hath signed it in the Love in the humanity of Christ with the Seven golden Candlesticks and lights and therewith hee continues untill the judgement each number manifests it selfe in its owne Age no creature hath power to manifest the same for he that hath it dares not else he transgresseth the Magicall order and becomes a loathing to the Mystery 117. And therefore the Prophets and also Christ himselfe have spoken all in Parables after a Magicall manner and even to this day none who is capable of the Mystery dare speake otherwise unlesse there be a peculiar purpose of God that the Number shall bee plainely revealed as Daniel who did clearely denote the time of Christ with its owne Number he had command so to doe this I tell you syncerely and in all faithfulnesse also in right Christian love towards you not out of contempt but from my knowledge and gifts seeing you desired it of me I have given you a short hint what you are to doe herein and entreat you to looke upon it in a Brotherly way 118. But yet what I am able to serve you in with my few gifts if you shall further desire it shall be done with a good will provided I shall perceive you are in good earnest and that it shall serve to the honour of God and the welfare of mankinde and so I commend you into the Love of Jesus Christ Dated Gerlits 14th of August ANNO DOM 1620. ANOTHER LETTER TO PAUL KEYM Concerning the way to true Knowledge and the Regeneration in CHRIST Likewise concerning the thousand yeares Sabbath and how the Mysteries in the Revelation are to be understood Our Salvation in Christ Jesus 1. WORTHY and much respected Sir and in Christ beloved Brother I have received your last Letter and therein I have once more understood and well observed your zealous inflamed minde in your intended labour and hard Study and then your anxious earnest desire after the light of the true knowledge thereof and thirdly the great thirst after the fountaine and well-spring of Christ wherein the minde is refreshed quickned comforted satisfied and appeased and considering that I am a Servant to my Brethren and no lesse then a Debtor in the Love of Christ to them therefore I shall in the same Love shew and impart to you what I know and what is given to me seeing your desire also requireth it 2. Christ said I am the vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him shall bring forth much fruit for without me you can doe nothing also he that abideth in me and hath my wordes abiding in him hee bringeth forth much fruit herein lyeth the whole ground and it is the onely root or spring to the Fountaine whence the Divine understanding floweth there is no other ground to the true and reall-knowledge in the wisedome of God no other seeking studying or searching doth availe any thing 3. For every spirit searcheth onely its owne depth or reacheth no further then its owne naturall capacity or instinct and apprehendeth that wherein it doth enkindle its selfe and though it doth search in its owne enkindling yet it findeth no more but a type or representation of things like a shadow or dreame it is not able to behold the Being it selfe for if it would see the Being then it must be in the Being and the Being in it that so it may be capable of the Being and see really in the Being it selfe 4. Now then seeing that we are dead in Adam to the Divine essence and are become blind and estranged we have no power in us as from our selves we know nothing of God in our Reason but onely the hystory that there is a God we doe neither feele his power nor see his light unlesse we returne and become like unto Children which know nothing but are guided and ruled and as a Child lookes upon its mother and longeth after her and shee also cherisheth and bringeth it up so must the externall reason be blinded beaten downe and quite quasht 5. And the desire must resigne and cast it selfe into the grace and Love of God and not reguard the opposition and contradiction of the outward reason which saith it is nothing so God is afar of you must search meditate and represent him onely to your selfe by your apprehension you must seeke after his will how he hath revealed himselfe so he will be knowne and no otherwise thus the externall hystoricall Astrall reason doth judge and it ruleth also the whole World except a very small number of Gods Children 6. Christ said you must abide in me for without me you can doe nothing you can neither know nor search out any thing really and fundamentally of God for he that cometh to me him I will in no wise cast out in me you shall bring forth much fruit now every branch groweth on its owne tree and hath the sap power influence vertue and property of the tree and beareth fruit according to the quality kinde and property of the tree 7. Thus likewise he who desireth to be taught of God and to have Divine knowledg must stand in the tree whereinto God hath engrafted us through the Regeneration he must have the sap and vertue of the tree else he bringeth forth strange unsavory wild fruit which hath not the tast and relish of the good tree we must become like unto a Child which understands nothing but onely knoweth its mother and longeth after her 8. We must drink of the new milk of Christs Incarnation that so we may be made partakers of his flesh and spirit his vertue and sap must be our vertue and sap we must become Gods Children in Divine Eating and Drinking 9. Nicodemus said How can it be that a man should be borne againe in his old age Yes good Nicodemus and good externall earthly Reason how could it be that Adam who was a perfect Image of God did perish in his perfection and became earthly did it not come to passe by Imagination because he induced his desire longing and lust into the outward Astrall Elementall and earthly Kingdome and did set his minde upon the Dominion of this World whereupon he in his desire lust and imagination was forthwith impregnated and became earthly and thereby he fell into the sleep of the externall Magia and thus it is also with the New birth 10. Through Imagination and an earnest serious desire we become againe impregnated of the Deity and receive the New body in the Old the New doth not mix it selfe with the Old like as Gold
in the grosse and rough stone is quite another thing and hath another Tincture and spirit then the rough matter in the stone thus also is the New man in the Old the rough stone knoweth nothing of the Gold and so likewise the earthly Adam knoweth nothing of the Divine heavenly Adam and therefore there is strife in Man and Man is contrary to himselfe 11. The earthly Adam will see feele and taste but he receiveth onely a ray type and twinckling reflex from the internall Man where he indeed at some times tasteth somewhat of the Divine Man but not essentially but as the light of the Sunne doth disperse or swallow up the sad darknesse so that it appeareth as if there were no darknesse more at all and yet the darknesse is really hidden in the light which againe is manifest when the light of the Sun withdraweth 12. Thus oftentimes the New man doth in the Divine Power swallow up the Old that the Old man supposeth that he hath apprehended the Deity whereas he is not capable of that essence but the spirit of God from the New man doth passe through the Old but when the same entreth againe into its Mystery then the Old man knoweth not what hapned unto it but it seeketh wayes to come to God and searcheth after the purpose and will of God and yet findeth nothing but invention fiction and opinion and it is very zealous in its opinions and knoweth not what it doth it findeth not the root for it is not capable or worthy of it and this sheweth that it must dye and perish 13. But the New man which in an earnest serious will and purpose ariseth through Imagination or the effectuall operation of true Faith abideth stedfast in the rest of Christ even in the Tree which God the Father by his motion when he moved himselfe the second time according to his heart did ingraft into the humane soule and it springeth forth in the life of God and doth grow and flourish in the power vertue and sap of the Divine Essentiality in Gods Love this receiveth Divine knowledge and skill not according to the measure of the externall will what the externall man will know and search out but according to the measure of the internall Heaven the internall Heaven doth enkindle and enlighten the externall so that the understanding or intellectuall faculty of the soule doth comprehend and understand the externall 14. For God who is a spirit and also a Being hath manifested himselfe by the externall World in a similitude that the spirit might see it selfe in the Being essentially and not so onely but that the Creature likewise might contemplate and behold the being of God in the Figure and know it 15. For no Creature is able to see the Being of God without it selfe the spirit seeth God in the Essence and Lustre of the Majesty and the same likewise in its selfe and its owne fellow creatures like it selfe for God is himselfe the spirit of all Beings understand of heavenly Beings so that when we see the Divine Creature then we see an Image or likenesse proceeded from Gods Being and when we see the will and working of that Creature then we see the will and working of God 16. Thus also is the New man borne of God what it willeth and doth that is Gods will and worke its knowing is Gods knowing for we know nothing of God without Gods spirit 17. The externall cannot see the internall but if the internall draweth the externall by a glimps or influence of light in its owne Idea or speculation into it selfe then the externall apprehendeth the mirrour or resemblance of the internall for an instruction and direction to shew that the externall World taketh its rise and originall from the internall and that Our workes shall follow us in the Mystery and that by the separation of Gods judgement by the sire of the Principle they shall be set into the eternall World 18. To which end God hath created Angels and Men namely for his deeds of Wonders that the wisedome of the Divine Power might appeare and that God might behold himselfe in the resemblanâ—es and Ideas of the Creatures and have joy in himselfe with the Beings created out of his owne wisedome 19. Loving Brother take it not ill that I speak roundly to you you complaine that you are not alwayes able to reach comprehend and keepe the Divine Mysteries and moreover you say that many times you get a glimps of them and that my Writings are hard and difficult to be understood of you I wil therfore shew unto you according to the power and ability that I have received from God how the being of your hidden Mystery standeth which at present you are not able to understand 20. Your meaning and will is to keep the light of the Mystery in a continued stedfast comprehension this is the will of the externall World in you it would faine be capable of the Deity and be freed from vanity but the spirit of the externall World must stand in continuall travell and earnest Seeking sor by its seeking it findeth the wonders of its owne Magia namely the Type and resemblance of the internall World 21. For God doth not alwayes move himselfe but the longing and earnest travelling of the Creature moveth the Mystery that the Image or Idea of the Divine wisedome may be sought and found therefore Christ commandeth us to Seeke and knock and withall promiseth to give us the Pearle or Jewell in the seeking 22. The externall World likewise is of God and from God and Man is to that end created into the externall World that he might bring the externall Figures into the internall that he might bring the end into the beginning 23. The more man longeth after God and the more he panteth and runneth after him the more he commeth out of the end into the beginning not onely to Gods wonder but to his owne edification for the twig of the Tree continually thirsteth after the sap and vertue of the Tree it travelleth in desire after the Tree and draweth its sap and influence into it and so thereby it groweth up to be a great branch thus the anxious hunger and earnest longing in the Humane Mystery draweth the Kingdome of God into it selfe of which Christ sayd The Kingdome of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force to themselves 24. A Being or Essence that is not attractive cannot grow up or get a body to it selfe but it starveth and pineth away as we see the fire of the Candle draweth or attracteth the fat into it selfe and devoureth it and yet it affordeth from its devouring a shining light thus it is with Man he is shut up and enclosed with his first Divine Essence in the darknesse of death but God hath againe opened the same to the soule in Christ 25. Now the poore captivated soule is this very hungry Magicall fire which doth agaâ—ne attract
otherwise God should be finite and measurable if the gifts were onely one but he is a meere Wonder whosoever apprehends him he walketh in his Wonders 55. This I doe impart unto you in all syncerity out of a true Christian zeale from my Fountaine Gifts and knowledge and I doe exhort you to understand it in a right sense as it is meant I doe not extoll or set up my selfe but I speake brotherly to your minde to stirre you up and to comfort you that you should not thinke the yoak of Christ to be heavy when oftentimes the externall man doth cloud the internall that the poore Soule mourneth for its Image which yet is purified and truly begotten and brought forth under Tribulation and the Crosse of Christ it is even so with me and other Christians besides thinke not strange at it 56. It is very good when the poore soule is in Combate much better then when it is imprisoned and yet playeth the Hypocrite and maketh devout shewes it is written That all things shall serve for the best to them that love God 57. Now when the combate of the soule doth arise and proceed that it would faine see God and yet cannot at all times attaine the same then know that it fighteth for the Noble Trophee of which the externall man knoweth nothing yea the spirit of God fighteth in the naturall soule for that which is supernaturall that so he may lead the Creature into God hee would alwayes faine Crowne the soule with the precious Image if the blinde Reason would but give him roome and suffer the understanding to Cooperate 58. We must labour and strive against the externall Reason and also against flesh and blood and wholly oppose the assaults and objections of the Devill alwayes breaking them and casting them away and resist the evill thoughts motions and influences and effectually with our whole soule with prayer supplication or internall resignation presse into Gods mercy 59. Thus the precious graine of Mustard-seed is sowne which if it be well preserved becommeth great like a Tree upon which Tree the fruits of Paradise doe afterwards grow on which the soule feedeth when it will Prophesie and speake of the Kingdome of God when as it beholdeth the Divine Magia even then it speaketh of the Wonders of God 60. For the Being of God is undivided it needeth not any room or place but it ariseth moveth and flyeth in the spirit of understanding as the splendor of the Sunne in the ayre it shooteth or glanceth into the Image like lightning whereby the whole body is oftentimes enkindled and enlightned 61. Moreover know that we in this life are labourers and not idle persons for the birth of life is a continuall strife and labour the more we labour in Gods Vineyard the more fruit we shall obtaine and eternally enjoy and it maketh for our owne edification for our labour remaineth in our owne Mystery to Gods deeds of Wonder and to our owne eternall Crowne and Glory before God as in my other Writings is set forth at large 62. Concerning the Sabbath in this World of which you have written and still continue in the same opinion the knowledge and understanding thereof is not given to me also I doe not know how there can be any perfect Being in the Torment-house of the Starres and Elements I cannot finde such an understanding thereof in the Mystery being the first man was not able to stand when the heavenly Governour did rule in him but was overcome by the Kingdome of the Starres and Elements Might it not therefore be still dangerous 63. When we consider the possibility and the impossibility thereof in the Mystery it doth then appeare as if there would be no Sabbath in the sad and sorrowfull Mirror of the Divine Being for the Devill is a Prince of this World and though he should be bound for a thousand yeares in the darke World yet the fierce wrathfull Starres and also heat and cold have their rule and predominance in this World and this World is nothing else but a Valley of Misery 64. Now if the Dominion of the Starres should not reach us or have any influence upon us then we should not be in this World but in Paradise where no wicked man could oppose us or see us for in Paradise we are swallowed or shut up in God 65. As little as we with our earthly eyes see the Angels so little likewise shall a wicked man of this World see a new regenerate man in Christ when we attaine the new man in Christ then we are as to that new man already in the Sabbath and doe onely waite for the Redemption of the wicked earthly life 66. For we are with Christ in God we are together with him planted into his death we are buryed in him and arise with the new man out of the grave with him and live eternally in our owne Being or Essence understand in his corporiety we are with and in Christ in God and God in us Where should wee then keepe Sabbath Not in this World but in the Angelicall World in the light World 67. And if the wicked should be tormented for a thousand years in this World then the place of this World must be translated or withdrawne into the darke World for in this Solâ—â— World there is not yet any Hellish Torment but if the Sunne were taken away then it would be so indeed and then the wicked would be yet far separated from the judgement and there would be a Gulfe of a Principle interposed and fixt 68. Moreover God is not a God of evill that desireth revenge or Torment that he should out of his vengeance Torment and plague the Wicked a thousand yeares before the Iudgment the wicked Tormenteth himselfe in his owne Lifes birth the one forme of life is enemy to the other And that shall be indeed his hellish Torment and God hath no blame in it 69. He hath never desired the fall of man but the wrathfull Nature gott the upper hand and the spirit of mans will which is free as God himselfe did freely and willingly yeeld it selfe up into the Combate supposing to domineere and rule 70. It was out of pride that the Devill sell and man also if they had stayed in humility God would have continued in them but they themselves departed both away from God but God did so exceedingly love mans Image that he himselfe out of love did re-enter into the Image of man why should he then desire his Torment 71. In God there is no Evill desire but his wrath which is the dark World is a desire of evill and destruction which hath brought the Devill and also man to fall the dark World caused the Devill to fall and the externall wrathfull Nature caused Man to fall and yet both these are tyed and bound one to another which we should well see and feel if the sun were taken out of this World 72. Therefore