the Virgin remains a Creature not so mixt as to be confounded and swallowed up by the Deity 3. The two Men in White testified he should so Descend as they had seen him Ascend as is also asserted in the 11th Particular of the Incarnation 4. But the New Man is the Heavenly New Man or Heavenly Humanity of Jesus Christ being the humble pure Virgin of Wisdom which Adam lost and as it were died to him disappeared retiring into its own Ether The first Adam had as it were repudiated This Chast Holy Image This is by the second Adam the Lord from Heaven restored and married to His and in His to our Earthly Humanity It was His at the instant when the Holy Ghost overshadowed the Virgin Mary It is Ours when by the Holy Ghost we are begotten again and That Divine Image is awakened and stirred up in us 5. Of This let none marvel that my weak hand begs Strength and delights to speak for This is That dear pretious Image of Virginity Purity and Modesty whose Eternal Perfect Sweet Love was by Apostate Adam exchanged for the Lust of a Woman which soon sway'd him to Mortality 6. This as the Sun to the outward World would have been Man's Guide being her self out of the Abyss of Infinite Wisdom This the Promised Seed bringing with him still sweetly and convincingly woo's at the Door of every Man's Heart 7. But in regard she is Heavenly she can have no acquaintance with one that is resolved to be Earthy she will be Married only to That Soul that It regenerateth which Nicodemus understood not at first and none ever can who like not to be divorced from the Old Man and die daily To others these Writings are Sounds not Substances for This Tree of Life may not be toucht by them who love That of Good and Evil. 8. This Heavenly Humanity that disappear'd when Adam fell yields the Water of Life which becomes a Well springing up to Eternal Life This is the Childrens Bread It fills Paradise feeds the Angels and all the Blessed for ever 9. This is the Quintessence of Things the Holy Element whence streamed out the four Elements It is the Life and Vertue of the Eternal Nature or great Mystery It is That Pearl which whoso finds and buys is a cheap Bargain whatever it costs 10. This is Christ's Heavenly Flesh and Blood wherewith he feeds His in the Sacramental Feast But being come now to That which men make occasion of Controversie it may be profitable to discourse it John 6. from 47. v. to 59. v. And again in 63. v. it is said I am the living Bread that came down from Heaven v. 53. Except ye eat his Flesh and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you 11. The Jews understanding This as many still do to be meant of his outward Flesh and Blood said and that rightly How can This Man give us his Flesh to eat for That had been so understood not intended by him and Canibal-like to them 12. But the Lord interprets himself first Negatively in 63. v. not his outward Flesh as they thought to be meant profiteth nothing But Affirmatively v. 50. and 58. the Lord himself is express That the Flesh he meant was also Bread and that Bread was the Bread which came down from Heaven viz. the Word of God Hence arise Two controversial Points different from each other and both from the Truth 13. One Party say they eat the outward flesh which being eaten they swallow into their Beastial Carkass This the other Party opposeth saying That flesh though now glorified remains a Circumscriptive Creature therefore may not be eaten every where at once and that it is not Many but One therefore may not be eaten at all This last Party in opposition to the former yet farther say they eat That Flesh and drink That Blood only by Faith or Imagination but know nothing of the Heavenly Flesh or Humanity but still understand only the outward Flesh. Though the Lord is express in This that it is the Spirit that quickneth the Flesh profiteth nothing and that his words are Spirit and Life and that it is That Bread which came or cometh down from Heaven 14. The Mouth and Eating of the Soul are real and substantial though not Palpable yet not Imaginary 15. It was not the outward Flesh and Blood they did eat and drink for He sate with them when they did eat and drink Shewing plainly that the Sacramental Flesh and Blood is the Divine Flesh and Blood that came down from Heaven 16. In This Enoch walked with God and fed so heartily on This Food that the Food of the third Principle would no longer down with him This New Wine made the Bottle New This like the Tincture that transmuteth Metals Enflamed and Translated his whole Man so that his very third Principle was swallowed up by the Divine second Principle By This all the Holy Men before Christ's Incarnation were nourished in their Pilgrimage on Earth and by This were carried home to their Native Country 17. This was the Rock that followed them in the Wilderness for they did all eat the same spiritual meat and drink the same spiritual drink and That Rock was Christ. 18. This is the Tree of Life which is Angels Food and had never returned to be the Food of the Fallen Posterity of Adam had not the second Adam opened a door in our hearts thro' which to enter and given as a mouth to eat it and receive Life and Vigour from it This First-Born of every Creature was Heir of all things 19. But This is not the Only begotten Son for so He is the true second Person of the Trinity and Lord of all things but This is the Created Son or Word who is the Heir of all things This is the New Man it is not said This is the Omnipotent God but That Holy Heavenly Image of God wherein the first Adam was Created and which on his Disobedience disappeared as to him and as to him was Dead and said to be the Lamb slain 20. This did the Only begotten Son of God bring with Him He who was the True Second Person of the Trinity did Reunite This in himself to the Fallen and so by Him Restored Human Nature and having made Men Priests made them also Kings reigning over the first and third Principles in Man irradiating and divinely governing the first and sacrificing the Wills-Lusts and misplaced Love to the third Principle 21. This Holy Thing was begotten by the Holy Ghost as the Pure Heavenly Humanity united to the Earthly or Fallen Humane Nature comprising the Essences of the Virgin Mary as a Daughter of Eve 22. The Lord saith He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath Eternal Life He saith not He that eateth and drinketh it worthily hath Eternal Life but he that eateth and drinketh For none can be said to eat That Flesh and drink That Blood that
the Incorporated Covenant in the Seed of the Woman but they look'd only on the outward Eve and committed Whoredom with her but the inward Eve was fruitless Therefore God slew Er the old World and bid the new Marry Thamar and raise up Seed to his Brother viz. in the Covenant but the second Son brought this Seed into Vanity as did Nimrod then the Lord slew him also viz. Sodom and Gomorrah and the Canaanites whom â—â—â—â—el drove out Then said Judah to Thamar remain a Widdow till my third Son Salah be grown up 6. But the Woman was not given to the Law but Judah Gods Word and Power must raise up this Womans Seed which was fulfilled in Mary 7. The Pledges given were his Ring Bracelet and Staff The Ring is the Soul the Bracelet the â—â—â—ward â—â—rit of Spirituâ— Mundi the Staff the Body Then she put on again her Widows Apparel so do Gods Children after Christ is conceiv'd in great Joy in them that the noble Seed be not known they do after this Union enter again into the state of Mourning as of a forsaken Widow 8. And as Judah committed and intended Whoredom so did the Jewish Priests in their outward Sacrifices which God boâ—e with but mixed himself only with the Faith in the Body Soul and Spirit of Man 9. Tho' the precious Line of the Covenant pressed in Perez through Judah's Whoredom yet it shews Mans Misery that even the children of God in their corrupt Nature in their Wedâ—ock have nothing chast and pure in the sight of God but is Bestial and a Whoredom 10. How then should we pray that Christ would enter with his Heavenly Virgin Seed and change it into the Paradisical Image again 11. Such a Figure we see also in David with Bâ—thsheba under whose Murther and Adultery God set the Line of the Covenant in the middle And after again in Solomon who had so many Wives and â—oncâ—bines and joyned himself to Idolatrous Women To shew Christ should set himself in the midst amongst the Heathen and tear away their Idolatry and convert their Hearts to himself 12. Of the Twins the first put forth his Hand and the Midwife tyed a red Thread on it but he pulled back his Hand and the other came out first First the Humane Nature according to Adam's right and self-will puts forth about this Humanity of Christ the red Thread with shedding of Blood is bound then must it return again into the Word then cometh the inward new Man first Thus is modellized Christs breach through Hell Death and Wrath of the first Principle CHAP. LXVI How Joseph was sold to Potiphar And of his Chastity and Fear of God 1. POtiphar having bought Joseph set him over his whole House so must the Christian let the Government be Christs then shall his twenty pieces of Silver become thirty pieces viz. the Adamical Humanity be exalted 2. The Wife of Joseph's Master cast her Eves on Joseph viz. The Whorish Eve the Bestial Lust in the Prison of Flesh and Blood wherein is the Serpents â—ting assaulteth the new regenerate Child who must converse in this World with such impure Lusts for which cause the Body must die and rot and this Bestial Spirit be destroyed for in it the Devil draweth the Noble Virgin Child the chast Joseph who saith I will not lye with thee nor be near thee thou art the Wife of the Spirit of this World 3. Joseph was alone and she caught him and he fled and left his Garment c. The Soul is alone the Spirit of God not stirring in it and then doth the Devil by the Whorish Woman storm the Soul in the Lifes Essence to defile the precious Virgin Child for the Serpent would copulate with the Soul but the chast Divine Child flies viz. hides it self in its own Principle that it comes not near this Whore in Flesh and Blood thus strongly the Divine Purity shields it self 4. Gods Children have no danger greater than worldly Exaltation for that is the Throne of Pride Lust Cruelty Wrath and of the Prince of this World which is not resisted but by giving up self as did Joseph and Daniel 5 Then his Master put him in Prison c. This figureth the final Tryal of the Child of God who is resigned wholly to God and dead to himself and his own will As a Prisoner condemn'd expecting Death knoweth not how to get comfort from any Creature But liveth in the unsearchable will standing again in the first Image is a similitude and spark of the One and the All. 6. It is better not to know than to will according to self for the will of that which knoweth not passeth away with the creaturely Life but the will to self rendeth it self off from the intire will into restless inquietude which is the Source and Torment of all the Damned the strife of the will bringing Enmity 7. But God is the will of the intirely resigned Man in him Sin ceaseth and tho' Gods will of Anger stir in him to bring down Fire as Elias yet all is right for God doth it by him as an Instrument Night is turn'd into day the Curse and Malice of the World into Paradise as did Joseph's Prison and Daniel's Den lift them up CHAP. LXVII Of Joseph's Expounding the Dreams of Pharoah's Butler and Baker 1. THE Art of Astronomy according to Astrology may Interpret But Joseph got by resignation into the total and in it the Divine Eye which sees the ground of all 2. Every Man hath the Image of his Constellation in himself and when time comes for kindling the Magick Image to work the Astral Spirit seeth what Figure it self hath in the Elements But the Elements affording only a Bestial Figure the Astral Spirit hath only a Bestial appearance So a Beast dreameth according to Fanâ—y as doth a Bestial Animal Man But there is great difference betwixt the false wicked Soul which daily willeth and figureth Bestial things and the pious Divine Soul wherein Gods Spirit is manifest 3. But the right Visions are when Mans will resteth in God then it seeth with Gods Eyes for then the Astral Spirit cannot model it self into the fancy CHAP. LXVIII Pharoah Dreaming saw seven Fat Kine c. 1. THese Dreams were shewn Pharaoh out of the Centre of Nature therefore the Natural Magicians who saw only into the working of Nature in the Constellation understood them not but Joseph being a Divine Magus understood them 2. The Egyptian Art Magick was common but being abus'd to Witchcraft was â—upprest by the Divine Magia in the Kingdom of Christ. And it was well that thereby the Heathens Faith in their Idols which tho' they had their ground in Nature were above their Sphere worshipt for Gods Might be rooted out of Mens Hearts 3. But Titular Christendom is surcharg'd with such Magi as have only an empty babling of supernatural Magick without natural understanding of God or Nature but make Images of
Transformation of Nebuchadnezzar that his Hairs were as Birds Feathers and his Nails as Claws 14. Such a Subjection hath our Elementary Structure lapsed into by the Fall that it may as really be Transformed as an unburnt Earthen Vessel may And that tho' usually by consent of the Will as in Witches 15. Yet may it also be sometimes without consent and by the Arch Enemy be imposed on as was the Woman at Isenach who in a Conflict of fifteen or sixteen hours was Transformed into That of a Calf her Hands and Feet bent and like Horns or Hoofs her Tongue rough and dry her Body cold and swoln yet her Soul found to be safe and her Body by Prayer Restored to its Human Form 16. Man became vain in his Imagination and his foolish Heart was darkened They were Worshippers of Angels of the Host of Heaven of Devils of Brute Creatures of Garlick as in Egypt of Stocks Things almost incredible to us That Rational Creatures should make Their Hope and Confidence to be in Irrational till we reflect on all Nations in This Age pretending Improved Skill and Knowledge yet still do place Their Confidence in Money CHAP. XX. Of Mans Recovery how he was helped again by Christ and by what wonderful way and method Redemption was is wrought 1. WHO is sufficient to tell This what Vessel may carry This Treasure It was studied by the Holy Angels is the Ornament of Heaven will be the Song in Eternity It is the sum of what the Spirit of God hath been dictating to the Prophets pointing at by the Law and Ceremonies proclaiming by the Apostles and Saints in His Word in the Mouth of all his Servants thro' all Generations 2. Now tho' none can say how high the eighth Sphere is much less the Infinity beyond or without it yet every one can measure his own heighth being really part of it So as far as can be reached by So vile a Nothing some particle of the Abyss of Grace may in Childish Simplicity be stammer'd out and haply some Assistance given to Such Inquirer whose Inward Senses shall be opened in any degree of aptness to the Sublimity of the Matter and whose Spirit shall be Humbled and held back to the lowly manner of exhibiting the same 3. All Knowledge not leading us Humbly towards Jesus Christ is Ignorance and compared with the Light set up in us by Him is Blackness with the Vertue of it is Dung with the Holiness and Purity of it is Filthiness with the Order of it is Confusion and Amusement of Spirit with the Utility of it is meer Loss of precious Time 4. We have in the precedent Discourse beheld the direful shameful State Adam declined into by the Loss of the Divine Virgin of God's Wisdom with whom he should alwaies have lived in Purity Modesty and Perfection of Love Who whilst he stood his Soul was of the Might of Eternity his Spirit of the Pure Majestick Divine Light his Body out of the One Holy Element more Noble than seven times Refined Gold as the Shining Sun and capable to endure in Eternity 5. But Sin marr'd all his Holy Body degenerated as from Celestial Christal to Putrifying Carrion which must know Dissolution and for any Power remaining in him must have returned to the Divided Elements without hope of Recollection and Resurrection Which might cause some of the Antients who better knew what the body is come to be and what Principles and Elements compounded of than what at first it was much less what the Merciful Creator was about for Restoring his Lost Image It might strongly sway some Wise Men in several Ages to laugh at the Novelty of the Resurrection as did the Athenians 6. The Gracious and Merciful Creator pitying His Undone Creature of Love to His Own Precious disappeared Virgin Image having no motive from any want in Him of His Creature nor any worth in the Creature nor any ability remaining in His Creature to help Himself but of His Own Only Meer Free Grace and Goodness His Tender Bowels of Infinite Love wherewith His Compassions were enkindled did set Infinite Power and Wisdom on work to supplant the Serpent in Man by reimplanting again the Dear Bride of Purity and Modesty to whom Adam was at first Married but had adulterously causlesly and foolishly left having treacherously abandoned himself and betaken to the Divided Properties 7. God in-spake again the Ingrafted Word saying The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents Head which Word so reimplanted was like a spark of Fire falling into Tinder or like Seed sown or like Leven hid in three measures of Meal for it was a Living Power a Speaking Witness It was call'd the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World the Powerful Love of Jesus Christ the second Person of the Trinity who by That Power of Love filleth all places in the Heavens and Earth in His Own Holy Principle and This Love is Jesus Christ Himself 8. The second Adam and Holy Seed did not only come in the Fulness of Time into or in the Womb of the Virgin Mary when He took Flesh but then at the instant of Adam's Fall at the Father's in-speaking did implant himself to overthrow the work of the Devil 9. And stood at the Door of Adam and Eve and alwaies standeth at the Door of every Child of Theirs ever since none excepted in the Light of Their Life Preaching Salvation and with the Mighty Power of the Holy Ghost reproveth Sin convinceth of Righteousness judgeth Disobedience and warneth all more or less of the Judgment to come 10. This Living Word or Word of Life hath call'd it self by several names for all names are in it It is the Refiners Fire a Light shining in a Dark place Emmanuel The Saviour The Hope of Israel The Rock of Ages The Redeemer Love Wisdom Righteousness The Holy Thing Life Eternal where-ever and in whomsoever Obedience is yielded It is of invincible Strength will any lay hold on it brings irresistible Arguments will any lay them up in their Hearts uninterrupted Peace will any sit still under its Counsels His Weapons can neither be warded nor blunted His Defensives are impenetrable 11. The Word replanted in Adam and Eve after Their Disobedience is call'd an Ingrafted Word tho' it was carried downward chiefly or most visibly in the direct Line thro' Seth to Enoch who was in the Sabbath as the Seventh Day of whom came Metâ—usalaâ— who as the longest Liver recorded figured Eternity yet was the same in Them as a Priesthood to be Leaders and Stars to Their Brethren The same Principle being with less Brightness in others also for neither is the Sun visible but to Them who have a Receiving Power So nor were the rest of Mankind wholly Blind but had Their Talents entrusted to Them And this Line of the Holy Seed were as the Lord's Candlesticks and Lamps whereat others were to enkindle their weaker Lights 12. It may be noted that the
Jews believed it not and too many at this day oppose it because they misunderstand that and other Divine Truths so that may still be the Lamentation My People perish for want of knowledge They that said in the Apostles days the Resurrection is past already were not perhaps aware that they overthrew the Faith of some it being the same as if they had said there was no Resurrection Object Some may say Man having a visible palpable elementary Body and an invisible astral Spirit or Soul Author of the five Senses at least that acts the Organs neither of those parts can share in the Resurrection for the Stars shall fall and the Elements dissolve Let them tell me too our Flesh is Grass Dust we are of the Earth earthy and like the Beast that perisheth If therefore the Syderial Root and four Elements return into their Aether can the Products thence subsist his Body being dependant on a transient Principle whereof 't is compounded With what Body therefore shall he arise A. 1. 8. Christ had a visible palpable Body as ours from the astral World and four Elements though by reason of his being begotten of the Holy Ghost was infinitely Superior and more Noble yet in his Resurrection was his Elementary also raised to Immortality and Glory 9. The Apostle saith If the Dead rise not 1. Then Christ is not raised 2. Your Faith is vain 3. Ye are yet in your Sins 4. Our Preaching is vain 5. We are found false Witnesses 6 Those that sleep in Christ are perished 7. Our hope is vain 8. We of all men are most miserable But therefore that Christ is risen and become the first fruits of them that slept A. 2. If our Body as far degenerate as it is become had no higher Extraction than barely the astral World and four Elements it might have no other Resurrection or Perpetuity but be as the Beast But how then was it to have endured to Eternity had not Sin broken it It had therefore its Root in the Eternal spiritual World whereof the outward World and the Spirit thereof viz. The Spirit of the great World are a figure and Representation A. 3. 11. It is relatively Eternal being United to the Eternal Soul joyned to the Holy Body it obeyeth and beareth suffereth and doth the Holy Will of God as the Souls Instrument and Companion And the wicked Souls direful confederate in all their black Machinations beastly selfish Maxims and fordid Prostitutions and therefore in both must have a Resurrection to receive according to their Works 12. But the Bodies of wicked People are as a ready prepared Engine whose every part is curiously composed by Exquisite symmetry liberally oyl'd to whirl as an Automatae down a steep Mountain whil'st the Bodies of holy Souls are as a Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoak or a lazy Ass to struggle through a narrow deep way with a leaden load up a weary heighth So that look how much of extraordinary Assistance or rather violent Inducement the Evil man's Body is to his Soul so much perplexing Impediment hath the regenerate Child from his Body 13. Infidelity suggests so many Improbabilities as may make one Impossibility of the Resurrection to which is opposed Omnipotence Shall that Infinite Power whose Hand gives Being to every thing and World from the Angelical Tâ—rones to the vile Insect and Minute-parts of every pile of Grass be insufficient to rally Man's dissever'd Limbs number the Hairs and not the Members record all Mens Actions Words Thoughts and forget the whole Bulk and Fabrick 14. As to the last part of the Objection with what Body shall they rise To this the Apostle replies Thou Fool that which thou sowest is not quicken'd except it die and the Body which shall be viz. not the self same Grain but the self-same Kind riseth be it Wheat or any other and the self-same Tincture in the Crop as was in the Seed only our Corruption Dishonour and Weakness is changed into Incorruption Glory and Power 15 The Sons of Wisdom can see the Transmutation of Metals The Naturalist the death dissolution and reforming and vivifying of Craw-fish The curious Observer the Transmigration of the Silk Worm Every one that kindles a fire the triumph of the flame on change of the Accidents of the Fuel The Physitian the consent of Bodies and Parts by sympathy and of Actives and Passives Who sees not the Loadstone single out one filing of Steel from a heap of Sand. The Plowman and Gardener see out of the dark Earth arise Corn Fruits Flowers of other colour odour taste c. than the Earth yet acknowledge they the Earth hath all the Vertues Properties and Powers of them obscurely in it 16. Why then should it seem impossible that He that raised up Jesus Christ from the Dead should be able to quicken our Mortal Bodies though literally mortified when Death shall be swallow'd up of Victory as saith the Prophet Thy dead Men shall live together with my dead Body shall they arise Awake and sing you that dwell in the dust for thy dew shall be as the dew of Herbs c. Q. 135. What manner of Door hath Christ through Death opened in our Humanity in the Anger and Righteousness of God where by we may enter into God How is that done A. 1. As it is not the Wind abroad but that in the Earth that causeth Earthquakes so neither could Man's mortal inward Wound be cured by outward Applications for because Man was become inwardly a Hell to himself and outwardly lock'd up in the Curse of the Out-birth wherein he had secluded and shut up himself from the Divine Light as in the 69th Answer is discoursed 2. It was therefore past all Remedy unless Heaven would mercifully introduce it self into the Soul in the light of his Life Then did the gracious Principle of Love by bringing the Eternal Virgin back into the lockâ— up Humanity become a Saviour Like as the Fiat or speaking Word did in the Beginning by the Light compose Order amongst the Confusions of the Properties of the Chaos So the Lord of the Light-Holy-World came into the averâ—ed Will of the Humanity and there implanted it self as a Tincture being Himself the Omnipotence of the Kingdom of Divine Love into the Anger and severe Righteousness of God in Man 3. Thus came it into Man's enraged first Principle like sweet Oyl or Incense into a dark hungry fire which raiseth it into a Radiant sweet flame and Iustre As when the Humane Intellect returned into Nebuchadnezzar his bestial Image was exalted So when the Divine dear Love embraceth and is enkindled in Man's angry fierceness it potently attracts by assimilation some Divine Breathings and makes impressions of it self As in Esau at his meeting Jacob. 4. The Door by which the Soul goeth into God is opened as Jacob by yielding up himself passed through a Death appeasing Esau for by this the Soul 's bolted and barred-up Door is unshut and set
excited by earnest Love is successful passionately to enkindle Divine Light in such proportion of speed as the heat is in degree for great Divine Fervour having Anguish for its Root hath always according to its own Nature eminent Light and Glory for its Fruit. 2. More particularly 4. To shew his immediate care of the feeblest as tender Mothers do to their weakest Children So here to a Woman 5. To demonstrate his gracious Condescention to the separate Image of the Humanity divided from Adam and first in the Transgression like to the saying Tell my Disciples and Peter who had so lately denied him that it was as the seâ—ting of a dislocated Joint 6. To try the Faith of his most eminent Followers who should first only hear of this glorious Resurrection once and again by the words of others than after the sence of hearing follow'd their seeing him then touching then tasting by their Intellect his heavenly Teaching then participating of the Spirit by his breathing on them Thus became they Witnesses not only of Christ's swallowing up Death by Victory by gradual assurance past all shadow of doubt but also be Witnesses against themselves of their own Diffidence till their Faith was enforced to act its office by Mediation of all the Senses Q. 138. Why did Christ after his Resurrection eat of the broiled Fish with his Disciples and entred in unto them through a shut Door and taught them A. 1. The Text saith They gave him a piece of broiled Fish and a Hony comb and he did eat The first part of this Question may seem curious as well as obscure but it must be noted that all things God discovereth are not alike plain but must be sought out by diligent search comparing and inferring as amongst many the offering strange Fire was not forbidden but God consuming the Sacrifice by his own Fire did by Consequence forbid the other the Error herein cost Nadab and Abihu their lives The carrying the Ark on a Cart was not forbidden but David's not considering and inferring a Prohibition of that by the Direction for carrying it on the Priests Shoulders cost Uzzah his Life 2. And now here the Lord after his Resurrection eats broiled Fish and Hony-comb as before he twice feeds the Multitude with Fish by Miracle we may not think the Eating of Fish insignificant and that again having wrought the Miracle of the great Draught of Fishes after the Resurrection their Dinner was Fish All which hath a double signification 1. 3. More general That as Adam's Fall had laid the Creation under Universal Disorder such as was most aptly represented by the confused troubled â—ea and all his Posterity by Fishes one devouring the other as saith the Lord on this Allusion to his Disciples I will make you fishers of men in this sense concerning the New Heaven c. Viz. At the reducing to Paradisical Order it is written there was no more Sea 2. 4 More particularly whereas Fish was never us'd in Sacrifice and Honey directly forbidden to be in any Offering to the Lord by Fire this with rending the Veil of the Temple was to shew the Jews the time of their Sacrifice was finished But Men signified by Fish were in a more excellent way to be the Lord's and the Kingdom of Heaven like a Drag Net to catch them But their not considering this their gracious Visitation and persisting in their obstinate Sacrificing and wilful Ignorance of the signs of the times cost not the lives of a Nadab and Abiâ—u or Uzza but those of Priests and People City and Nation Desolation of Jerusalem and Sion Temple and Altar and suppression of their supposed Offspring for so many Centuries to this very day 5. Now as his Eating was Paradifical in the Mouth only So his entring the Doors being shut was his being now only in the Divine Principle not to be shut out for the World is as nothing before him The Condensations fiercest Attractions strongest Constringencies are all open High-ways to his Omnipotence for his Conquest was over Hell and he goeth into all the wrath of the first Principle as well as the third all Power in Heaven and Earth being his for ever Q. 139. Why did not Christ after his Resurrection sheâ— himself to every one but to some only A. 1. 1. By every one must be intended 1. Every of those in Jerusalem or 2. Every of the Lords Disciples 1. But so to have done in the larger sence had been cross to his own Inhibition Cast not holy things to Dogs nor Pearls before Swine 2. It had oppos'd the Method of his Proceedings with Men from the time of his Conception to his Ascension 1. His Conception was a Secret imparted only to the Virgin after in a Dream to Joseph then Prophetically to Elisabeth Simeon and Anna and Prophesies had Obscurities 2. His Birth was discovered to the poor solitary Shepherds after that perhaps above two Years to the Wise Men but presently veil'd by his Flight and Absence Thence no more is said of him till he attained to about 12 Years and then though the Doctors were astonished at his Understanding yet they knew him not Neither understood his Parents his Answer on that occasion but he went with them and was subject unto them from that time till he began to be about 30 Years So that for 18 Years nothing appears but as if he had been a common Child of Adam 3. Then the Observation of what passed at his Baptism was instantly shrouded by his Forty Days withdrawing from all Men into the Wilderness 4. And after his calling of the Twelve and Preaching the Gospel he often retreated from the Multitudes divers times from some of the Twelve and sometimes from them all especially for Prayer and all this while unknown to his very Brethren 5. And when his exalted Glory was so conspicuous upon raising of Lazarus that the High Priest c. began to say the World goeth after him that it seemed to threaten the hindering the Baptism he was graciously straightned to be Baptized with and that they feared the People then offered he himself up at once checking the mistaken Hopes and Confidence of Jews and Gentiles This was the Method of the humbled state of the Only Eternal Almighty Son of God 3. 3. The Reason of his thus much concealment was the abuse by vile Mankind of the sparklings of his Glory As 1. Herod begins by shedding the Blood of Innocents 2. The Sharers in and Beholders of his Miracles were obstructive to his other work of gaining Souls therefore he so frequently chargeth Privacy on them 3. The Multitudes that he fed by Miracle offered so much interruption as to obtrude on the Eternal Soveraign of all World 's such Advancement as to be King of a Dunghil and render him obnoxious to the filly Jealousie of Earthy Kings those Gods of Clay and their beastly Tyranny 4 The Splendor
Light of the second Principle there is generated in us the pure Love of the third Principle of which Love the Holy Ghost is the Author by this the Law is fulfilled and in and by it the Holy Ghost graciously seals the Regenerate to Eternal Salvation Who having been fed by the Flesh and Blood of the Lord Jesus have in part got his Heavenly Body on them which is attaining a measure of the Resurrection from the dead 6. This brings in Universality in the Room of Propriety one instead of many signified by the Tongues which tho' Cloven were all but one united and one only in every Language here see we the Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven and the new Man thus progressed is the true and in some sort perfect Image of the Trinity for it is the first disappeared Image which Adam fell from And in this most excellent way doth the glorious Trinity work in Eternity in all Divine Creatures wherein the Three Persons Image themselves Q. 148. What is the Litteral Word and the Living Word Christ in his shedding forth one with the other How became they distinguished seeing all did not hear the Holy Ghost teach from the Mouth of the Apostles for one sort of them said They are full of sweet Wine these heard indeed Mans Word but not Christ teaching in his Resurrection A. 1. The Literal Word did signifie in the Jewish Administration the Law of Circumcision c. call'd a killing Letter tho' even that were glorious as is intimated by Moses Face The Evangelizing by Preaching or Writing must then be much more glorious the Holy Writings of the Prophets Apostles and Saints are therefore exceeding precious and require great care and diligence to learn the Mysteries there intended and taught they are so good and important their Efficacy Majesty and End so Divine that the living Word and it are used as terms convertible but yet Metonymically As by the Cup is meant the Wine or by the Bag the Treasure 2. But the Living Word is the Eternal Creating Word and tho' no Language contains â—et every Word of Men is of it and by it and when the Lord Jesus saith of the Holy Spirit he shall take of mine and give it unto you he means the so speaking as the Spirit should give utterance Such was this when the God of Spirits fell on them other speaking sprung from Babel is as far below the Life and Power of that as the Consonants are below the Vowels which produce but muâ—e â—issings c. 3. And we may expect when God shall give to his one Heart one Soul one Love one Life of Faith Holiness Meekness Patience and Self-denial accounting nothing their own but as Members of the one Body to live as that white sweet first Age of those Guests at the Feast of Pentecost When God shall do this we may expect he will restore the Spirits of the Letters and give us Water at the pure Fountain until then as one people know not the Language of others so all people are strangers to this and as falshood causeth Men not to know others Minds by their Words so do Mens false Hearts make them unknown to themselves 4. Now why some of them who heard the Heavenly Tidings said these Men are full of sweet or new Wine was because themselves were Captivated in another Principle than that wherein the words were Born perhaps some in the deceits of the third Principle others in the wrath of the first so that they could no more comprehend the words of the Children of the day than the Creatures of the corrupt terrene Salitter can converse with the Aerial Creatures or the aquaâ—trish with those of the Fire or then we poor Offspring of faln Adam can skill the Dialect of Angels 5. Mans Heart is naturally prepossest against Divine Understanding and the simplicity of truth not only from his disorder'd Original but especially by Maturity of Growth to fixedness in the humane Apostacy for Youth stands in a true Ground which makes Angels delight in them until the Serpents Foxes and Goats their Tutors Companions and Tempters have gravely taught them to be Fools in Fashion also false and by degrees to be obscene and impudent of Conversation O how great is Mans Misery on Earth how innumerable his Snares how multiply'd his Perils and Sorrows in this great and terrible Wilderness How Infinite is the forbearance of a contemned Father How compassionate the Redeerner to his daily Murtherers How long-suffering is the grieved Holy Spirit O the Heighth and Depth and Length and Breadth of that Love so abused by us The subsequent Question excuseth saying more to this Q. 149. How doth Christ himself teach presentially in the Office of Preaching and yet sitteth at the Right Hand of God Or among whom doth Christ teach what is a Shepherd or Pastor in the Spirit of Christ and a Teacher of the Letter without the Spirit of Christ each in his Office A. 1. How Christ is in Heaven and every where on Earth at once according to his Heavenly Humanity the 119 Answer from ver 3. to the End sheweth Also it is elsewhere shew'd the sitting of Christ at the Right Hand of the Power of God is at the place where Love quencheth Wrath therefore are the Sheep at the great Day placed on the Right Hand of the Judge 2. But now to the next part of the Question among whom doth Christ teach it must be answer'd the Light which bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all Men for as every Countrey on Earth is visited by the splendor of the Sun and every Plant and Pile of Grass Influenced by him and so hath been from the Creation so also from Adam to the last Man hath Christ the only true Light shined and will shine 3. And as there are many places in some Countries and some Angles in every Countrey whereon the Suns Beams beat not directly yet is there no Vegetable which his Vigor Influenceth noâ— Such is the Pâ—eâ—ching Vertue of Christ to all present past and future 4. Again as every Mineral is not Gold nor every Fruit solar that the Suns veâ—tue should be totally prevalent in them but they all are helped the more to grow thereby in their own Property so that it is not the Suns fault that many are spoil'd Thus tho' Christ stands in the Door of every Mans Heart calls them waits the whole time of the Life of many and very long on all as a Judge as a Councellor and as a Monitor yet many grow hard and as evil Creatures the stronger in their own property by the desireable access of the Suns Rays Thus Impenitent Men do from Gods goodness treasure up wrath bless themselves say we shall have peace cry the Temple of the Lord c. and grow the more evil because God is most good and are the more daring the more they are intreated and strove with 5. Now to the latter part of the Question
come but as the Sun gradually prepares his way from the dark Morning by making step by step in his Chambers of the East so are the Heavenly approaches made While the Pope points at Mahomet the reformed Christians at the Pope and at that or the other Party how unlike are we all to the Lord's Disciples when the Lord said One of you shall betray me they said not Is it he but Is it I is it I 3. Antichrist is not by that Name known in the whole New Testament or Epistles of the Apostles or Holy Pen-men but in the first and second Epistles of John and in them five times and no more The Mystery whereof may be his prevalence in all the Five Senses thus understood the Astral Man is his which should be the Temple of the Holy Ghost therein Antichrist sits as God and there shews himself that he is God viz. in them 4. But Paul knows him 1. By his Names 2. By his Character 3. By his time of being revealed And 4. By his time of being consumed 1. His Names viz. 1. a Man of Sin 2 b Son of Perdition 3. c Mystery of Iniquity 4. d Strong Delusions 2. By his Character 1. Unbridled Pride and Self-Exaltation viz. above all that is called God or that is Worshipped 2. He whose coming is after the working of Satan viz with all Power Signs and lying Wonders 3. With all deceivableness of Unrighteousness 4. That it should make Men believe a Lye that they might be Damned 3. By his time of being revealed viz. upon the withdrawing of the Glory which while it was so present as to let and hinder yet even then did the Evil one begin to work 4. By his time of being consumed and means how viz. by the Spirit of the Mouth of the Lord and his being destroyed by the brightness of his coming 5. Those who understand the four Forms composing the first or hellish Principle can well and distinctly see the signification of the four Names given him by the Holy Ghost mentioned by the first of the above four Heads And those who can view the Operations of those four Properties exclusive of Divine Light can also well know the four Characters of the second of the above Heads And those who understand the third Head see the Birth of the Turba in the Soul which Adam introduced by shutting out the Light of his true Humanity But those Children of the day who follow the meek Saviour in Faith Purity Patience and Simplicity know no more of Antichrist than the Eleven did of Judas Treason but are received into another Life and Principle for the Essences of their Souls have generated the Love-fire and they dwell in that hidden brightness and serenity by which Antichrist is unveiled yet these know no more of him than the Day doth of the Night 6. The appearing of Antichrist upon the withdrawing of the Divine Unction the holy Light World may be understood not as Night to day but as followeth A Man 's noble Intellect departs yet may remain his Proportions of Body and a Capacity of imitating externally what others seem to do understandingly and what also himself was formerly able to do rationally yet now his words are rather those of Parots and his doings the gestures of Apes than those of Prudent Men. Thus Antichrist speaks the words of Christ but without the Power Bows Kneels Prostrates yet without the Presence of Christ. 7. Again a Tree dead at Root may seem by the Branches and Leaves too for a little time like a growing Tree so the reflection in an opposing Cloud of the Rainbow represents another yet is but a meer shew of the true Rainbow and so have we Parâ—lii or Mock-Suns Such is the Antichrist but with this difference among other important ones that Antichrist dwelling in the unmortified Affections hath Enmity against what it seems to be which none of the above Similes have any thing of 8. By many of the like Contemplations and Similitudes may be apprehended how Antichrist was revealed upon the departing of the Peace-proclaiming Light of Christ which every Soul sadly Experiments in its Declensions turnings aside lookings back slumberings and unfaithfulness but where it proceeds to final Apostacy and Enmity of Spirit it is Antichrist in Epitomy as the outward Hypocrisie is Antichrist in the Mirror or Looking-glass See the 139 Answer v. 3. 4. 9. Thus may be seen that Antichrist is the result or law decreed and ratified by the titular Christians Reason And Reason is the general Knowledge of things attain'd and taught by the collected Observations of the Senses for their particular Acts and Experiments are the Materials of Reason as Letters are of Books 10. Antichrist in the high Exercise of his Reason may have a Name to live but because that his Reason is the Child of his Senses it must needs be true that he is Dead viz. to the Divine Life for he is only sensually rational which a Dog now hurt by a Stone thrown on him flying from the offer of throwing anon another partaketh of 11. Wherefore Antichrist not having the Spirit of Christ confirms himself in his own as it is written sensual not having the Spirit for the Spirit of Life and Holiness is vouchsafed us only in the fifth Form whereunto the regenerate only reach and whereof every unmortified Soul can attain no more but the Counterfeit as it is written A grain of Wheat remaineth alone and is not quickened except it die 12. And as Antichrist is Dead to the Holy Life by being alive to himself So those who enter the Holy Life are Dead to the sensual and consequently to the Earthy rational and in that respect may in an excellent sence be said to be besides themselves and according to the Maxims of Astral Reason are Fools and Madmen to give all their present Possessions and the Advantages of their Acquirements Emoluments and whole Man in exchange for unseen Futurities and Hope of them for such see plainly that Reason and the Senses are such things only as the more accomplish'd a Nominal Christian is in that inferior Principle the more strong a Beast the more dangerous an Antichrist is he 13. 'T is true Man falling in Adam into this third Principle God's immense pity met him in Sacrifices a worldly Sanctuary Perfumes of Incense c. That his Senses should be Witnesses of Divine Condescension but when the Lord became Flesh he led to Sublime things viz. Spiritual Worship not confin'd to places c. Holy Faith and the new Creature wrought by the Almighty Spirit of God 14. Therefore Man's having begun in the Spirit declining as if he would be made perfect in the Flesh is the Essential Character of Antichrist for as Lucifer fell thus into his central Fire so falls Antichrist into his circumferential Fire or Astral Out-birth viz. from the Holy Eternal Light to the figure of it in the sensual
hast had something in thee to stout it out against the Charâ—s of Divine Love God glorifies his Almightiness Wisdom and Goodness in Evil Creatures his Justice by the Devils so that if we be wicked what loseth he and if we be righteous is it not for our selves On the 22th Question and Answer Why must there be Strife in Nature 1. By Nature is meant the Outward Nature where strife ariseth out of contrariety and contrariety founded in the dividing of the Properties which dividing should have been hidden from Adam had he continued in the Harmony but his Fall opened the Enmity in his Soul in his Spirit in his Astral Man and in his Body which then was bâ—coâ—e Bestial And the Peace Man composeth is the consequence of ignorance or stupâ—dity which our Saviour when he comes breaks and draws a Sword against 2. The reason is because the Peace of our making is a stifling or violent stopping of the Natural Issues of the Striving Properties no more like the true Rest than Adam's Sleep was like the Paradisical Life but the Lord's Rest and Peace is when the six working Properties result in the seventh and the four Forms generate the fifth yet neither the sixth nor the fourth cease to be or to work but in their working attain the true end of their work 3. Is it thus O my Soul beware of indulging drowning and burying thy self in stupid ease but as the Infinite Father worketh hitherto generating the Son and the Son worketh in the Father and the Holy Ghost goeth out continually with Power and Vertue so also in thy very little wretched poor faculties co-operate with highest longing and desire in this happy strife bring the strong Forms of thy first Principle into the meek Light of thy second and let all issue into Divine Love and Delight which will be a third till thou flame and thou be as fuel dying and rising again always more bright and flaming Fear not to die daily but study press pray and practise it that thou maist every day be renewed and transformed into the Image of him a glance of whose gracious countenance hath a ravishing Power and covers thee with shame and confusion and yet with excess of humble trembling Joy it shakes yet confirms it kills yet revives And if a glance be so noble and powerful what were a steddy look and then what losest thou straying into outward divertisements those deluding flatterers Lookest thou on any thing without a design to see thy great Lord in it it renders thee loss of time bows thee down like the Beast is thy snare and thou dost unnaturally lay hands on thy self be thine own deceiver making thy sences thy tempters lest there should be want of Devils but to strive against this is a Holy War Art thou my Soul unwilling pray the Divine Will may make thee an imprest Souldier Faintest thou Love hath Eagles wings Fearest thou Faith hath a whole Armoury Thinkest thou this Combate is above Thee to atchieve what were all the Spirits of the Just made perfect but the Children of sinners and themselves sinners pluckt out of the Fire Captives redeemed by our Lord Jesus Look on that Eye my Soul who ever looks on thee and all days will be holy days all places holy places and thou ever in the best company thou art capable of such as will teach thee to lead thy natural strife into supernatural triumph On the 23th Question and Answer On the Dividing the One Element into four 1. Like as the Monuments of former Ages the Tower of Babel the Egyptian Pyramids the undertakings of Archimedes c. do commemorate the Archievements and Skill of the Framers so do the works of God speak the great Jebovab Whence the Psalmist The Heavens declare the glory of God and the Elements shew his handy-work The four Elements are according to the four Forms 2. Behold how out of one are all things infinitely proceeded for out of the Unity is breathed the multiplicity so that when we bring our multiplicity forward as we ought we return into the Unity O my Soul let the multiplicity of the very Out-birth of the third Principle be but taught to know its distance and thou maist live in the Unity rule over the Multiplicity and bring out of the four Elements their Glory and Vertue for the praise of the Almighty Soveraign that in an outward way yet having Eyes within they like the four Beasts before the Throne without ceasâ—â—g say Holy holy holy c. And again when thou diest to the Tyranny of the four Forms of thy Root thou ascendest by their Harmony into the several branches bearing good fruit 3. What tho' thy Sting be sharp may it but stir thee up the more vigorously to the work of God in thee What tho' thy Fire be hot may it be the incentive to a radiant Love-flame What if thy Anguish be greatly ponderous and oppressive if it ballance steddy and fix thee to a glorious perseverance Courage then thou art on a short Voyage to a vast Country Are not all the Elements doing their several Offices Is not every Pile of Grass obeying its Ordinance and levelling at the End of its Institution Is not the whole Faâ—ily of the very innocent Creatures preparing themselves to live and die for thy pleasure profit and necessity And wilt thou not do and suffer for him whose thou art and who hath vouchsafed to make himself of meer Grace to be thine and which conformity in thee is for thine own absolutely necessary overflowing Eternal superabundant Advantage thou hast but these three things make thy choice either to go back into Egypt stand still and fall in the Wilderness or go on after thy Captain into the Land flowing with Milk and Honey On the 24th Question and Answer Wherefore and to what Benefit are Stars Created The Stars are the Revelation or Immense palpable finite dissolvible Body of the Infinite Eternal Holy Substantial World and that 1. In their Splendor especially in the glorious shining Sun But how dirty and vile is Man O my Soul how art thou darkened every little Storm clothes thee in Rags and casts filth on those Rags every recess of true Light leaveâ— thee languishing as one Foot were in the Grave whilst their Beauties are in their Principle lifted far above such mutations fix then thine Eye on thy Sun and like the Flower of the Sun turn ever to him and only to him wherein alone lyes thy chief good 2. In their variety wherein they are admirable particularly in the seven Royal ones So are there in Saturn Mars Mercury and Jupiter when cross aspected an intolerable ligation anguish rage and proud elevation in the Sun Moon and Venus a scorching Fire Inconstancy and Impurity in all which the Eternal dark Principle openeth it self but in their benevolent Aspect is an Harmonious Noble Transcendent Excellency figuring the Paradisical Holy Principle But how much in thee O my Soul is there not
Trinity was to have a total Similitude That longing awakened the Astringent Fiat That Desire hath drawn out of All into One a Similitude of Heaven this World and the Anger-World And as there is no Thing higher than the Soul so nothing can aâ—â—ihilate it being a Child of the Substance of all Substances Q. 4. What the Breathing in of the Soul is and when it is done A. 1. Every Spirit without a Body being unknown to it self desireth one for its Food and Habitation and the third Principle being created before the Soul as a Looking-glass of the Deity and generated materially out of the Eternal Wonders desired a material Similitude on the Soul and there did the outward Fiat Form an Image out of the Earth's Matrix a mixture consisting of Fire and Water 2. The Fiat of the Heavenly Matrix which did Create before the Earthy longed after the Soul and out of the Centre of the Word went forth the Fiat of the Word so was the third Principle created in the second The Virgin Wisdom clothed the Souls Spirit with Divine Flesh and the Heavenly Tincture made Heavenly Blood in the Water 3. Thus the inward Man stood in Heaven his glance in the Inward Eye was Majesty and understood the Language of God and the Angels viz. That of Nature And tho' he stood in the outward also yet knew not the outward by experience 4. Into this twofold Body Created on the sixth hour of the sixth day was the Royal Soul breathed in by the Holy Spirit into the Holy Man like an awakening of the Deity and the outward Spirit of the Stars and Elements breathed its Life through the Nostrils into the outward Heart also the quality of the fierce wrath pressed in with the original of the Soul so that the Soul could not continue to be Gods Image otherwise than in humble obedience Else could he not over-power two Principles the angry and outward which was generated out of the Anger And the Temptation was for Forty days signified by 1. Moses on the Mount Forty days when Israel stood not but made a Calf 2. The Spies Forty days searching the Land 3. Israel's being Forty years in the Wilderness 4. Elias Fasting Forty days 5. Christs being Forty days Tempted in the Wilderness 6. And being Forty hours in the Grave 7. Christs being Forty days on Earth before his Ascention 8. Israel's Forty Journeys in the Wilderness 9. Goliah's Forty days Challenge 10. Esau lived Forty years then took two Evil Wives which grieved Isaac and Rebekah all the days of their Lives Q. 5. How the Soul is peculiarly form'd and fashioned or framed A. 1. A Twig is like the Tree a Child like the Mother The Soul is like a round Globe ☉ ☉ ♓ the right Arm of the Cross signifieth the second Principle the Spirit The Left Arm signifieth the first Principle its Original Might and Power the upper part signifies its sproutinâ— through Anguish in the Fire The lower part its sinking the Water the Humility into Gods Majesty and be dead to its own will 2. The Soul in its first Principle hath the form of an Eye yet twofold wherein the Cross standeth unless it let the Devil into the Will viz. Pride and Covetousness if so it loseth the Cross. 3. In the second Principle it is a Spirit and a total intire Image such a one as the outward Man is 4. And in the third Principle it is a Looking-glass of the whole world the Potentiality of Heaven and Earth and all Properties of Creatures lye in it Q. 6. What the Ability or Potentiality of the Soul is A. The first power of the Soul is That if the will go strongly forward it is Faith And so can form another Image in the Spirit out of the Centre of Nature It can give the Body another form being Lord of the outward but that transmutation is not permanent because Adam did let in the Turba and this kind of power is call'd Nigromancy for the Body is Sulphur the Spirit of the Soul hath the Tincture But the Devil readily mixeth therein for it is the Abysses Wonder whereof he is Lord. 2. The second power of the Souls will is that the earnest will which otherwise is called faith can put the Spirit into another form If the Spirit were an Angel the will can make it a stubborn Devil Also if it be Devilish it can by sinking down in Humility under the Cross cast it self again into Gods Spirit 3. The third power of the Souls will or Spirit is that it hath power to enter into another Mans Marrow and Bones and if he be wicked can introduce the Turba into one who is not armed by Gods Spirit as do Sorcerers c. 4. The fourth power of the Souls will is that it hath power if it be Gods Child to lead Captive the Turba and pour it out on the House of the ungodly As Moses on Pharaoh and Elias did the Fire It can throw down Mountains break Rocks as far as the place is capable of the Turba having made the Anger stirring 5. The fifth power is that it can search out all wonders or works in Nature Arts Sciences c. So Moses commanded the Sea Joshua the Sun And if it be in God it can over-power the Devil Also can heal the Sick raise the Dead But not unless Gods Spirit stir it up having lost the exercise of its power by the Fall yet the Soul in its original is greatly powerful But only in that Principle into which it looketh or in which it standeth is its might Q. 7. Whether the Soul be Corporeal or not Corporeal A. The Soul is a Fire-Globe with a Fire-Eye and a Light-Eye The Tincture is a Spirit existing from the Fire and Light And is its Meekness out of which cometh Water which the Fire draweth to it self to allay its fierce quality turning that Water of Life into Sulphur according to the seven Spirits of Nature And that Mystery changeth it self into red from the Fire and into white from the Tincture the glance is from both so that the Life seeth it self out of which Reason and Thoughts exist The Blood is the House of the Soul The Tincture is its Body The pure Soul is not Corporeal but there groweth a Body in the Tincture not palpable or comprehensible to the outward but a Power Body Gods Body Christs Heavenly Flesh which he gives us in his Supper A Body the Turba cannot touch unfadeable comprized in nothing but in the noble precious Tincture Which being perished in Adam therefore God became Man and brought the Divine Image again into the Souls Tincture and we must now be Born again in Christ if we will see God Q. 8. In what manner the Soul cometh into Man or into the Body A. This Question is understood of propagation the Creation of the first Soul being shown before 'T is answered That Adam when fallen could not generate but in an
by Eternal Generation standing in the Majesty of the Sacred Trinity and in the Body of Mary equally alike at Once Q. 37. What the Spirit of Christ is which was Obedient and which he commended into his Fathers Hands A. 1. This is that great Jewel that Pearl Matth. 13. 46. The Philosopher's Stone and shining Sun not so noble The Heavenly and Earthy Mystery is in it Nothing in this World is like it but the mean Simplicity which standeth still and awakeneth not the Turba in such a Spirit is this Jewel hid as the Gold in the Stone 2. The Soul is the Original of Life as a Fire of God which should be turned into God's Eternal Will in the Magick seeking of which Will the Soul is originated and wherein lyeth the Deity with all the three Principles 3. And out of the Soul's Fire the Light is generated by blowing it self up by which it is its own Life and in the Lights Meekness is the Noble Tincture with two Forms one red of the Fire the other thin of the Water which generate the Life And in the Exit or going forth of that Power and Vertue which is free from the Fire is the Light of Life or true Spirit wherein is the Virgin the Image of God In this Spirit lye the Thoughts and Understanding and if it casteth away its own Soul's Fire Pomp and Wit it attains God's Image God's Body For it is so subtil that it Uniteth it self with God for it can and may enter into God And because this Spirit originateth out of the Fire-life and the Fire-life in the Abyss standeth in the quality of the Anger of God therefore Christ commended not this his Spirit into the fiery Life but into his Father's hands viz. into his Love-desire wherewith he reacheth after our Spirits when we enter into God 4. Thus is shewed what Christ's Spirit is and what our Spirit is viz. not the Soul it self but its Life's Spirit In the Trinity the Son hath the Spirit proceeding out of his Heart and Mouth the Heart is the flame of Love which meekneth the Father's Anger so is it in Man and no otherwise in one Syllable Q. 38. What are to be done at the End of the World A. Future things are to be answered only in a Magical manner or by way of Similitude because the future Wonders are all seen in the Turba And concerning this Question there is enough spoken in the Answers of the former Questions Q. 39. What and where Paradise is with its Inhabitants A. It is explained in the Enochian Life that Paradise is not altered only withdrawn from our source or quality if our Eyes were opened we should see it Nay God is with us only we have lost the Quality and Fruit of Paradise as the Devil hath lost God For Adam would eat of the Earthy Fruit whereby he got an Earthy Life and secluded himself the Garden where heavenly Fruit groweth Q. 40. Whether Paradise is alterable and what shall de afterwards A. 1. As little as God is alterable so little is Paradise When the outward Dominion shall pass away then shall in the place of this World be pure Paradise an Earth of heavenly substantiality No Night Heat Frost Old-Age Sickness Fear Sorrow Death nor Superiour but Christ in one Communion with the Angels then will the Tabernacle of God be with Men. 2. This Earth will be a Christalline Sea where God's lustre will be the Light It will be a Holy Priestly Life all speaking of God's Wisdom and Infinite Wonders all Fruits will grow to us according to our wish it will be a Life of meer Love and Delight for to this end hath God manifested himself in the created Images of Angels and Men that he might rejoyce himself in his Life's Essences Eternally Hallelujah This was the Author's Fourth Book Written Anno 1620. THE FIFTH BOOK Of the AUTHOR Jacob Behmen Consisting of Three PARTS Viz. First The Incarnation or becoming Man of Jesus Christ. The second Part is Of Christs Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection The third Part is Of the Tree of Christian Faith 1. TO the right knowing Christs Incarnation the Knowledge how Adam was and whereof made much importeth 2. Adam was made out of all the three Principles God the Fathers Property compared to Fire The Sons Property compared to Light The Spirits Property to the Wind or Air the out-birth proceeding from both God according to the first Principle is not called God but a consuming Fire 3. The Father is the Eternal Will the son the Eternal Meekness and the Impregnator the Spirit the Eternal Life 4. The Trinity Created the one holy Element called Centre of Nature Divine substantiality the substantiality of the Light Paradise the Mother of a giving Power Meekness and Substance to all Forms 5. Out of this one holy Element were made Angels and Men. Only Man was made not only of the one holy Element but as to the out-birth of the four Elements also over which he was to rule both Stars Elements and Creatures by his Power given him out of that one holy Element 6. Adam's Body was Paradisical Holy and of Power to penetrate Stone or Earth Immortal yet real Flesh and Blood but Holy and Heavenly He was both a Masculine and Feminine Virgin and was to propagate Magically for both the Tinctures were in him and to eat only Paradisical Food which needed neither Guts not Bestial Draught c. 7. But Adam did not continue so for the four Elements gaining Power over the one holy potent Element by which they were to have been governed he slept for he was not able to continue in the state wherein he was created so God divided the Tinctures and form'd of the Feminine a Woman giving her the half Cross in the head and to them the Members of distinction and propagation yet still in Paradise 8. And Eve being tempted by the Serpent tho' the Law of God was explained to her by her Husband fell and drew him also 9. But God had incorporated the Virgin of Wisdom in them which viz. the Eternal Virginity in the Covenant of Promise hath lain shut up in the Virgin Mary and in all Adam's Children in every Man's Light of Life wanting only this that the Soul's Spirit give it self up thereinto and in that Soul-Spirit God becometh generated again CHAP. VIII 1. FOR Christ is not become Man in the Virgin Mary only so that the Divine Substantiality did sit bolted up therein no the Divine Substantiality in the Water of Eternal Life entred into and became flesh and blood It made Heavenly Tincture and Divine Magia 2. So that we may say when with our imagination we enter into God that we enter into God's flesh and blood for the Word became Man and God is the Word 3. This takes not away the Creature of Christ We liken the Creature of Christ which is indeed a Body to the Sun which enlighteneth the whole
Deep one Power and Lustre receiveth the other The Deep with its Lustre is hidden but yet hath the power of the Sun in it 4. So Christ's Substantiality filleth Heaven and Paradise and swalloweth up the Earthiness also where it is received and obeyed 5. Thus Christ brought back what Adam lost and much more for the Word is every where become Man See the Extracts of the latter part of the 18th Chapter of the Three Principles The 2d Part being of Christ's Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection CHAP. I. Q. IS it said Was it not sufficient that God became Man why must he also die Could God no other way save Man What pleasure takes he in Death and Dying If God had by his Sons Death paid a Ransom for us why must we also die CHAP. V. Ver. 54. to the end Ans. 1. MAN had lost the Divine Substantiality and Angelical Property and imagined into the Out-birth viz. into the Earthy part was departed from the Divine Light into the Light of this World and captivated in the fierce Wrath of God which the Devil had kindled viz. the four first Forms according to which God calleth himself a consuming fire 2. The corrupted Out birth also had put a Body on him which it destroyed and swallowed up again in its essential fire 3. But being the Soul was breathed into Man out of the Holy Spirit of God out of the Eternal and so is an Angel 4. Therefore hath the Power of the Holy Light World the Heart of God resumed the same entring into the Human Essence which lay in the Anguish Chamber surrounded with Death and took to himself a Soul out of our Essence and our Mortal Life and introduced the Soul through Death through the earnest severe Fire of God the Father into the holy meek Light-World and so destroyed Death by bringing in Divine Substanâ—iality into the fierce Wrath of the Father the Centre of the Anguish-Chamber the Fire World in the Soul Christ being the right Centre of the Holy Trinity is with the out gone Holy Spirit the flaming Majesty the Light-World 5. And whosoever will possess the Light-World and be an Angel must enter in through the same path bear old Adams Cross go forth through the harâ—â—â— astringent stern and malignant corrupted Adamical Man and slay him and be born anew out of the Anxious Wheel 6. But seeing we were not able to do this Christ gave himself into the Centre of the fierce Wrath in the Soul brake and extinguished it with his Love So that now when we go out of our selves to the death of sin we come into the death of Christ the path he hath prepared for us and leads to his Resurrection whereby we ascend into his Arms the unshut Light-World which is also Abraham's bosom the Paradise wherein we were created our true dear native Country 7. It consisteth not in this that we think it enough to pourtray and represent what Christ hath done and suffered for us and tell of a Faith in that but that we daily and hourly fight and slay the Evil Adam as to his will and doings with resigned and resolved earnestness and then we enter into Christ's Death in our living Bodies put on his Life in us become impregnated with the Kingdom of Heaven Get on us Christ's Thorny Crown and still be accounted one that is not worthy to live on the Earth through all which we must faithfully proceed on knowing we must either be Angels or Devils 8. In this Death nothing dieth to or in us but only the Earthy Evil dead Adam whose will and life we have here continually destroyed This Enemy departeth from us into the Essential Fire into the four Elements and into the Mystery and must at the end be tryed through the Fire of God and then our Bodies and Works must be given us again through that Fire whatever the Earthy Mystery had swallowed up But not such an Evil one for the Fire of God devoureth the Evil but such a one as we here in anxiety have sought a Divine Spiritual Substance like the Wonders and Wisdom of God 9. Hypocritical Reason saith Christ hath done all for us we cannot It is right Christ hath done what we cannot do he hath broken Death and restored a new Life and is in Heaven But 't is not knowing but doing the Devils know but what availeth that we know if we remain without and enter not into Christ in the way and passage he hath made for us doing good for evil in truth and simplicty CHAP. VII Ver. 75. 1. IT is not enough to cry Lord give me a strong Faith in the Merits of thy Son he hath satisfied for my sins But I must enter into Christ's suffering and dying and be born a second time out of his Death become a Member in and with him Constantly crucifie the old Adam Always hang on Christ's Cross Become an obedient Child Tho' I plainly walk this way yet I have so evil a ghest in me that I still work too much evil must therefore continually strive and fight till I vanquish 2. Christ indeed hath in and for us broken Death and made way but what doth that comfort me unless I enter in that very way and path as a Pilgrim or Stranger here CHAP. IX CHrist's Sufferings c. 1. Men content them to participate of in the Lord's Supper v. 29. But his Divine Flesh and Blood is that which the wicked cannot participate of that is Sacramentally 2. They receive the four Elements in the Anger of God because they discern not the Lord's Body which is every where present in Heaven and Earth and is fed upon by the Heavenly Soul not as a sign as others dream not Spirit without Substance but the Substance of the Spirit Christ's Flesh which filleth the Light-World which the Word that became Man brought with it into the Virgin Mary and there became opened in its Flesh and Blood the assumed Human Essence 3. Yet was it at that very time while Christ lay in the Virgins Womb in Heaven in the one Element in all places It came not into Mary from many miles off but the Centre which Adam in God's Anger had shut up in death the Word of the Deity did unlock and bring in the Divine Substantiality not entring in but unshutting ingenerating and in this World exgenerating God and Man one person heavenly Substantiality and Virginity one only Man in Heaven and in this World See the latter part of the 18th Chapter of the three Principles The third part being of the Tree of Christian Faith CHAP. I. WHat Faith is 1. It is not our forcing the mind to belief of Articles which are the work of our Reason 2. But true Faith is one Spirit with God working in and with God is the might of God dwells in the liberty in God's Will inclined to his Love and Mercy is free from the fierce Wrath and Torment in Nature is not comprehended subsisteth in
Eternity as a nothing and yet is all 3. But if it becometh apprehended then it is entred into Reason as into a Prison where it works the wonders in the Fire of Nature but in the Liberty the wonders of God and so is the Companionness or Play-fellow of Sophia the Wisdom of God CHAP. II. WHY Faith and Doubting dwell together 1. Tho' Faith is God's Image viz. the desiring seeing and mind an Eternal Figure yet in the time of the Body it may change it self into the Anguish Fountain 2. For Faith in its original is only a Will which Will is a Seed and that Seed must the Soul being a fire-Fire-spirit sow into the Liberty of God and so will a Tree grow on which the Soul feedeth to allay and meeken its Fire and becometh powerful and giveth still its vertue to the Root of this Tree which groweth in the Spirit of God even into the wonders of the Majesty of God and springeth in the Paradise of God 3. There is a continual vehement strife in Man while he is in the Tabernacle of this Earthy Life unless he so earnestly sink down in himself that he introduce the Lifes-fire into the Liberty of God and then is dead as to reason and liveth to God which is an highly precious Life and rarely found for it is like the first Image that God created The mortal only hangeth to it but this right Life is in another Principle and World and is the first right Paradifical Human Life 4. That Earthy Human Life into which Adam fell originateth in the Mothers Womb moving chiefly in Fire Air Water and Earth or Flesh tinctur'd inform'd and made rational by the constellations to pleasure or displeasure being no more but a Bestial life reason looketh no higher 5. Yet Man's great panting after a higher and Eternal Life is a Magick seeking a Mystery implanted at his Creation it lieth in Reason but Reason nor the Spirit of this World comprehendeth it not It is a secret Spring opening in another Principle hidden in the Anguish held captive by the Spirit of this World which the outward Lifes Reason hath might to suppress so that it is flifled cometh not to the light generateth not abideth hidden and when the Body breaketh the Will hath not wherewith to open the Mystery which Mystery is God's Kingdom but the Fire or Souls Spirit abideth in Eternal Darkness 6. The Mystery being God's Kingdom giveth a longing desire standing hidden in the Soul incomprehensible to Nature and hath its Root in the Souls Fire This Will is no parting or renting from the Soul but becometh one Spirit with God and so is the Soul's Garment and the Soul in that Will and Spirit is become environ'd and hidden in God tho' it dwelleth in the Body 7. This is the right earnest Faith a Child of God and dwelleth in another World It is not an Historical Will Reason knoweth there is in it self a desire after God and yet holdeth that very desire captive from entring into the Life of God in the lusts of the flesh in the Sidereal Magia saying To morrow thou shalt go forth to God introducing Self-ability of finding and is surrounded with Opinion and Conjecture keeping from the Liberty of God 8. But the Will that sinketh it self out from Reason into Obedience and Love to God is an obedient humble Child and accepted for it is pure and God's similitude And seeing God is free in himself from the Evil so must the Will and then tho' God be no accepter of persons nor will let sin into himself yet he will accept the humble free obedient Will for whatcomes to him into his Liberty he will not cast off CHAP. III. Whence comes Good and Evil Joy and Sorrow Love and Anger Life and Death 1. THO' from the Eternal Substance all proceedeth Good and Evil c. yet we cannot say that Evil and Death come from God in God is no Evil nor Death nor in Eternity doth any Evil go into him The Eternity manifesteth it self by similitudes 2. In the Eternal Nature is the Magia of Life where one Form desireth and awakeneth the other whence the Essences of multiplicity exist and out of which the wonders the Created Beings are generated and out of the same Fire of Nature the fierce Wrath proceedeth 3. In God's Will is a desiring which causeth the Magia out of which existeth the multiplicity yet the multiplicity it self is not God's willing which is free from all substance but in the desiring or longing of the Will Nature generateth it self with all Forms viz out of the Eternal Magia 4. What Spirit soever imagineth with the Will into Nature is the Child of Nature and one Life with Nature but whosoever goeth forth from the Reason of Nature with its will and longing into the Free Will of God and therein abideth is one Spirit in and with God and is God's Child and the Nature Spirit is God's wonder or Creature CHAP. IV. How to attain the Liberty of God How God's Image is destroyed The State of the Wicked after the dying of the Body 1. WHere our will and heart is there is also our Treasure Is our will in God's Will then have we the great Mystery out of which this World as a similitude is generated and have both the eternal and corruptible yea we bring the wonders of our corruptible works into the eternal 2. But if we turn our desiring from the Eternal into the Earthy Mystery our will is captivated and hangeth only to the Looking-glass and attaineth not the Liberty of God 3. And when the Body dieth the Soul retaineth the Image of those things in its Will-Spirit wherewith it is become infected be it Pride Covetousness Malice or any other abominations for the wicked Will having captivated and destroyed the Noble Image and lost the Liberty is the Root of its own Image and draweth the Mystery to it self VVhere on the other part the right VVill is regenerated in Christ and entreth into the Liberty for in the VVill through Faith we attain the Noble Virgin Image that Adam lost CHAP. V. Why the Wicked convert not What the most smarting thing in Conversion is c. 1. THE wicked multitude have the Noble Jewel hidden in them in the Divine Principle and can very well go forth with their VVill-Spirit into the VVill of God but the self-honouring life-pleasing them so well that they obstinately let the fierce wrath hold them Gods Spirit desireth the Soul setting its Magia towards it the Soul needs only to open the Door and it goetâ— voluntarily in 2. But the most smarting bitter thing in Conversion is to break the Will-spirit from the Earthy substance and its Treasure the beloved Lusts and Self and from falshood by sincere earnest turning about of the Will into Gods Love which is the Divine Mystery that Gods Spirit may blow up the Divine sparkle And this must be or he is but a Bestial Man a Jugler and
help breathing it self again into the disappear'd Divine Property and into all the three Properties of the Humane even to the Thoughts and Senses breaking the will of self and of the Devil and hath brought the holy Life through Death into a Paradisical sprouting making Death and the Devil a reproach and shewing how the Eternal one can rule mightily over the Multiplicity and give an open Grace Gate for us poor Men to enter the Life of Christ. 3. We are therefore to come with ouâ— captivated will out of the Prison of Earth and Self and solely sink down into this Incorporated Grace which pressed from one viz. the first Man upon all and with the resign'd will sink down into the Hyperbyssal Supersensual Unsearchable Eternal one into the ground out of whiâ—h Life first sprung and then it reacheth the Temperature and true Rest. Argument How can a Man do that viz. that last above written being the Scripture saith The first Man is made to a Natural Life to rule the Creatures therefore mâ—st the Life go into the Earthy Properties Answer 1. The Humane Life is set in a reflex Image of the Divine Will in and with which God willeth and the Earthy Creatures are set in a representation of the Humane 2. And though Mans Life was set in Nature yet it was in the Temperature Without Christ we can do nothing but if Man sink into the Incorporated Grace of God and in Divine Hope rest from self-will and work and resign its will to work only what God speaketh it is beyond Nature And the Abyss God himself speaketh through him and manifesteth himself in and with him thus new-born in Christ who now ruleth over the outward Reason Life 3. Till this be done Man is no Child of Heaven but his will an Apostate just as the Devil and his Body an evil Beast and gathereth not with Gods Incorporated Grace but scattereth 4. As an Herb without Sap is burnt by the Sun while the Herb that hath Sap is warn'd So if Mans Essence hath not Ens from Gods Love and Meekness it impresseth it self into a fierce wrathful fiery sharpness and the Mind is totally rough covetous envious and stinging 5. Yet if the fiery Life eat of the Divine Love it is no more receiving as the Fires Property is but giving and working good in all as the Property of the Light for having eaten of the Bread which cometh down from Heaven it is quickned by it The Sun in a hard Stone where the Water is coagulated cannot work as in Metals Herbs and Trees because his Light and Vertue penetrateth not so is it in this CHAP. III. How Nature representeth and maketh visible the Divine Eternal and Abyssal Knowledge 1. THE Word is the Efflux of the Divine Will and Knowledge as the Thoughts and Senses are of the Mind yet the Mind remaineth totally but one So the Word was is and ever will be the Eternal Beginning flowing out and revelation of the Eternal one 2. And the Wisdom is the Eternal out-flown Beginning and cause of all Powers Colours Vertues and Properties 3. Their Powers are again an Efflux into the various Self-properties whence come the Multiplicity of Wills thence the Creaturely Life of the Eternal springeth viz. Angels and Souls 4. Not that Nature and Creature is here but the Spirit of God sporteth himself in forming Similitudes of the Powers of the Wisdom as doth the Mind with reflex Images which are the Thoughts and every Property hath its own Separator as hath the Eternal Unity whereby the Efflux of the Unity becomes perceptible in Infinite Multiplicity 5. For the Efflux sharpeneth it self superlatively by the Magnetick longing of the receiving Powers in the fiery kind wherein the Eternal One becomes Majestick and Light And the inkindling through Fire makes it a Kingdom of Joy The visible World with its Hosts is the out-flown word of Fire Light and Darkness separated by the Officer of Nature who hath imprinted each Body according to its own Property Of the Twofold Life in the Representation of the Divine Will 1. An Eternal 2. A Temporal 1. The Eternal is the sensible Life in the Eternal Fire and Light a spark of the out-flown or out-breathed will of God bound to will nothing but the out-breathed will of God a Separator and Instrument of Gods Omnipotent Glory wherewith he will rule all things having therefore given it Divine Understanding 2. The Temporal and Mortal Existence is the Efflux of the Separator of all Powers call'd the Soul of the World making the visible Creatures such a Similitude as wherein the Spiritual World of Fire Light and Darkness beholdeth it self hidden in and working through the Elementary World But the Visible possesseth not the Invisible so as to be chang'd thereinto but is only an Instrument whereby the Inward Powers Image themselves as in Herbs Trees Metals c. Of the Threefold Spirit in the Growing Powers 1. The outward Spirit is the gross Brimstone Salt and Mercury which coagulating it self in the four Elements and by drawing the Spiritual Separator to it the Signature is instantly perform'd 2. The second Spirit or Quintessence hath a Centre of its own viz. a Root of the four Elements being the Meek Joy of the painful Brimstone and Salt Spirit nourished from within of the Light of Nature and from without of the subtle Power of the Spirit of the World which fifth Essence is the right cause of all Vegetation and such a Joy of Nature as the Sun to the Elements 3. The third 's the Tincture of which see Chap. 12. of the three Principles The Tincture is that wherein all Powers lye in equality a Spiritual Fire and Light in one substance a Paradise the Mansion of Divine Power and of the Eternal Soul known to the Creature only in the Regeneration and to no ungodly one for such drive on a false will 4. It is not Elementary but issueth through the gross Elementary Spirit even into Taste and Smell But the Elements are a cause of the motion of the Tincture the sharpness of the Smell is Elementary but the vertue in the Smell is the Tincture which in Medicines Cureth for it imprinteth it self in such Balsams 5. As the voice to the Fig-tree Be thou withered did not that Miracle but the Power whence the voice proceeded As neither is the Confession of a thing Faith but that Intellectual Power is Faith out of which the Confession proceedeth wherewith Gods Spirit Co-worketh 6. Thus all whatsoever whether evil or good represent in their several Properties the hidden Spirit of the Separator of all things and the Elementary is the Efflux of the Tincture and Spiritual World for the visible moveable material World is the substance of the invisible immoveable spiritual World 7. So the desire of the Efflux out of the darkness is become sharp stern and gross and hath coagulated it self into Matter even unto the drossy Earth So out of the Light cometh the Noble
Fire in Adam and passed on all Men and the gross bestial Property the Serpents Ens and enkinded Anger was in Abraham and his Childrens own Property as in the Children of Ham except the Line of Christ which was in God's Power and stood in them as Heaven doth in this World also in Hell or as the Day doth in the Night yet not confounded So in the angers Property Abraham and his Family smote the Heathen and rescued Lot so also have the Children of the Saints waged War 4. But such who would be call'd Christians do wage War not as Christians but as Heathens for the Christian is dead with Christ to Wrath and the four Elements and new born in Christ's Spirit of Love and Patience he is not of this World liveth not to himself but to God his Conversation is in Heaven Nor did Abraham desire ought he took the Goods he restored to the King of Sodom 5. Melchisedeck the Royal Priest was the real figure of Christ who blessed Abraham left the Turba after his fighting should return on him To him Abraham gave Tithes viz. the 10th Property of the Human fiery Tongue of the Soul And the Priest gave his Bread and Wine and Blessing thereinto viz. Love-fire Tincture of the Light Heavenly Substantiality that the Soul 's fiery Tincture might again become a compleat Image of God with Male and Female Property Heavenly Corporiety by the King of Salem viz. of Salvation CHAP. XXXIX God's Covenant with Abraham his Faith and Sacrifice 1. A Abraham's Faith was his receiving the Speaking Word of God viz. in the Promise into his Human Ens His Desire viz. the aim of the Covenant or formed Word and both these were formed into one Power and real Spiritual Substance For Faith is the taking hold of God's Will and Uniting it to ours 2. The Offerings were of three sorts of Beasts a Heifer a She-Goat and a Ram each three years old betokens the whole outward threefold Man of Salt Mercury and Sulphur The dividing them the twofold Limus of the Earth viz The gross Property out of the Dark World the other the Limus out of the Heavenly Worlds Property which lyes in one Compaction in the Earth whence Man was created The Turtle Dove the poor Soul captivated in the bestial Property The young Pigeon the inward disappeared Humanity Their not being divided shews nothing shall be taken from the Soul nor from the inward Man of the Heavenly Limus The Fowls which Abraham drove away the Essence of the wrathful Property of God's Anger in Man which hungreth after the Humanity and would devour the same Abraham's deep Sleep the Death of Christ. The horror the Wrath of God The darkness the dark World into which the Word should enter and resign its Will The enkindled Fire passing between the pieces the Holy Love-fire tincturing all into a pure Gold The Servitude in Egypt that Christ in his Members should be only a Pilgrim and that we are here in the Kingdom of the Heathen where God's Children must be embroiled in Servitude with them to which the Potent do compel the Poor whereto he must be subject else he resisteth the Kingdom of Nature viz the formed Word But if the Worldly Rulers rule only according to their Will and Lusts they will find that God will Judge them CHAP. XL. Of Hagar and Ismael 1. THE scope of this toucheth that of Predestination For as much as Ismael and Esau are erroneously taken to be of Eternal reprobation we are to know that Ismael representeth the Father's Property and Kingdom of Nature in Adam Isaac the Sons Property and Kingdom of Grace in the second Adam 2. Babel indeed blindly teacheth that God hath ordained a certain Number and Company to Damnation and the rest to Salvation but if so Nature must needs be limited confin'd and determin'd when to bring forth a Child of God or of Wrath and nothing would be in the Human Property free yea God himself must confine and shut up his unchangeable one Infinite Will into a Beginning and Limit which opens a Gate to horrid Prophaneness makes void God's Holy Laws and Rules renders needless the offers of Grace and bars up the Door of Repentance 3. Yet the Holy Name of God thus taken in Vain is from Eternity free and offers it self to all poor Sinners Thus the Angel met Hagar and blessed Ismael then in her Womb who figur'd the Runagate Adamical self Will for God inwardly calls all wicked Men not only in the Womb but all the time of their lives as the Sun shines all the Day 4. So God calls the Turks and Heathens figur'd by Cain Ham Ismael and Esau who are in the Kingdom of Nature as Ismael in Hagars Womb they went not to Isaac but to Abraham nor these to Christ's â—erson but to God and he heareth them in Christ. They and painted Christendom are as the two Sons one promis'd but did it not the other said he would not but went and â—id it so may they attain the Adoption though the letter Christians grumble at the returning Prodigal who is nevertheless embraced by the Father CHAP. XLI Of the Seal of the Covenant of Circumcision and of Baptism 1. GOD ratified his Covenant with Abraham by the Seal Circumcision shewing what Ens was Blessed also what must and what in Man must not inherit viz. not the gross Earthy Man conceived in the bestial Lust of Man and Woman 2. That Copulation is only born with by Divine Patience and Permission Man having lost the Magical Birth of Paradice and therefore was every Male circumcised on that Monstrous Member The bestial Seed of Man and Woman being the Seed of their own Will shall not put on the Covenant and Blessing but he who is not Born of the Will of Man nor of the Flesh but of God 3. The Earthy Members die in the Spiritual Birth through Christ's Death Externally 't is cut off in the Temporal Death and 't is Buried in the Eternal Death in the Nothing and a new Angelical Form shall arise 4. The Males were only Circumcised for Adam had both the Tinctures and was a Masculine Virgin It was to be on the eighth Day because six Days are the Man in Nature the Seventh is the Day of Rest which he had brought into disquietness by reason that the seventh Property the Heavenly Nature died in him therefore God gave him of Grace another Day viz. the Eighth which is Christ. Ismael was the first Man though a Mocker thus taken into Covenant for Christ came for Ismael's sake also though the Doctrine of some damâ— Children from the Womb. 5. Baptism is for both Sexes on all Days shewing the need all have and Christ's Universal offer of God's Mercy also pointing out Christ's Humanity who was both Circumcised and Baptized and the First born from the Dead But the Ens of Faith by the Spirit was the Fire-baptism for both Jews and Christians CHAP. XLII Of the three Men
28. A Table of the Divine Manifestation or an Exposition of the Threefold World 29. Of the Errors of the Sects of Ezekiel Meeths or an Apology to Esaias Stefel 30. A Book of the last Judgment 31. Certain Letters to divers Persons at divers times with certain Keys for some hidden words The Books which the Author finished not are marked with this sign The publication of his first Book called Aâ—rora or the Morning Redness brought from all parts great resort to him of Learned Men and such as were experienced in the knowledge of Nature with whom much conversing he got the use of those Greek and Latine words that are frequent in his Works himself often complaining of the Barrenness of his Mother Tongue to bring forth into significant Expression that Notion that lay clear and orderly in his Mind and frequently wished that he had in his Youth made himself master of some other Language from whence he might perhaps have commanded a Word or Phrase of great use and conveniency to the unfolding what he had to propose Of those Learned Men that conversed with him in greatest familiarity was one Bâ—lthazar Wâ—â—ter this Gentleman was a Sile 〈◊〉 by Birth by Profession a Physician and had in the search of the Ancient Magick Learning Travell'd through Egypt Syria and the Araby's and there found such small remainders of it that he returned empty and unsatisfied into his own Country where hearing of this Man he repaired to him and having obtained Acquaintance with him rejoyced that at last he had found at home in a poor Cottage that for which he had Travelled so far and mist of satisfaction then he went to the several Universities in Germany and did there collect such questions concerning the Soul as were thought and accounted impossible to be resolved fundamentally and convincingly of which he made a Catalogue being in number forty and sent them to him from whom he received Answers to his satisfaction which Answers are publick in many Languages from whence and from frequent Discourses with him he was so satisfied that he staid there three Months and professed that he had received more solid Answers to his curious Scruples than he had found amongst the best Wits of those more promising Climates and for the future desisted from following Riâ—ulets since God had opened a Fountain at his own Door The Translator of the said Answers into English gives us the following Relation That when that Book was first printed he endeavoured by a Friend to present one of them to His Majesty King Charles that then was who vouchsafed the perusal of it About a Month after was desired to say what he thought of the Book who answered that the publisher in English seemed to say of the Author that he was no Scholar and if he were not he did believe that the Holy Ghost was now in Men but if he were a Scholar it was one of the best Inventions that ever he read I need not add the Censure of any other Person It is a strange thing to see how Nature Reason and Humane Wit have busied themselves to understand and comprehend this Divine Wisdom how many have been distracted in the search of it and forced back in their bold attempts into foolish Infatuations Madness and stupid Brutisms Others through Ignorance or Malice or both have mistaken the true Sons of Wisdom traducing them as being agitated by a power Diabolical Wicked and Detestable or else as Impostors and Deceivers of the worst sort Thus the Pharisees concerning our Saviour Say we not well thou art a Samaritan and hast a Devil So loth is Humane Reason to submit to or conceive a possibility of that perfect Wisdom and Power that is brought forth through Self-denial and Death to the Glory of him that is the Father of it Such like measure received Jacob Behmen in his day for the appearing of that unusual Knowledge and deep Revelation of Mysteries in a Vessel so contemptible to the Magnificent Mind of Man brought hard Censures upon him from the stupid World which appeared one time most especially the manner thus Sitting by himself in his House one knock'd at his Door to which he repairing when he had opened it a Person of a mean Stature of a sharp and stern look saluted him courteously congratulating to him that great and wonderful Knowledge he had received and humbly made known to him that he heard that he was Blest with a singular Spirit the like whereof had not lately appeared among the Children of Men that it was a Humane and Friendly Duty lying upon every Man to impart the good things vouchsafed him to his needy Neighbour and himself was now a needy Petitioner that he would yield some of that Spirit to him in which request if he pleased to gratifie him he would in such things wherein he abounded give a fitting recompence making a Covert tender of some Moneys to satisfie his Necessities to whom Jacob Behmen replyed with thanks That he did count himself unworthy of the esteem of having these greater Gifts and Arts as was by him imagined and found only in himself an intire Love to his Neighbour and simple perseverance in the upright Belief and Faith in God and for any other Indowments beyond these he neither had them nor esteemed them much less as his words seemed to intimate enjoyed the Society of any Familiar Spirit But saith he if there be in you that desire of obtaining the Spirit of God you must as I have done do earnest Repentance and pray the Father from whom all good Gifts do come and he will give it and it will lead you into all Truth This foolish Man contemning this plain Instruction became somewhat uncivilly importunate and began with words of Magick Conjuration to force the supposed Familiar Spirit from Jacob-Behmen at which his Boldness and Folly Jacob Behmen being not a little moved in Spirit took him by the right Hand and look'd him sternly in the Face intending an Imprecation at which this Exorcist trembling and amazed asked forgiveness whereupon Jacob Behmen remitted his Zeal dehorting him earnestly from that Simonian and Diabolical practice permitting him in hopes of future amendment to depart in peace Doctor G. Weisner in a Letter to his Friend gives the following Account of his Acquaintance with Jacob Behmen and of the Troubles that befel him at Gorlitts To answer yoâ—â— friendly Request in attesting what I know for Truth concerning the Blessed Man Jacob Behmen I am no less willing than in the Duty of a Christian obliged My Acquaintance with him began about July 1618 at Lauben by means of two common Friends to us both the one a Tradesman by Name Liberius Schnoller the other was one Solomon Schroter a young Minister his Wifes Brother both Studious of his Writings and such as had by real Experiment found the Truth of what he affirms about those extraordinary Illuminations God usually imparts to Souls that in a way of Humility
John Page 132 Why he was Tempted 40 Days Page 133 How he was in Heaven and also on Earth Page 134 Why he Taught in Parables Page 134 Why he did not describe his Gostel in Writing Page 135 Why the High Priest and Scripture-Learned persecuted him Page 135. 139 His Process through his Suffering and why it was so Page 136. 142. 283. 330. 332. Why must he Die on a wooden Cross. Page 140 Of the two Murtherers Crucified with Christ what they figure Page 140. 283 Why must his Side be opened with a Spear Page 141 Why did the Earth tremble when he hung on the Cross. Page 142 What did the darkness signifie that came over all Nature Page 143 Of Christs Dying Descending c. from Page 143. to 158. and 283 Of the true Christian. Page 170 176. 297 Of the Titulary Christian. Page 171. 176 297. 310. Of the True Christian Church Page 279 Circumcision what it signifies Page 116. 376. 398 Conversion what it is Page 324 Contrariety whence it sprung Page 340 What use it is of Page 349 357 Of the Covenant with Noah Page 391 Of the Covenant with Abraham Page 116. 397 Of the Line of the Covenant Page 391 Of the Mortal Creatures from whence they sprung and Exist Page 64. 72. 233. 242 Of their Differences Page 73. 235 The End why they were Created Page 74. 235 Of the Creation Page 19. 234. 252. 303. 371. 381. What was before the Creation Page 43 Of the inward and outward Cure Page 363 Of Gods Curse what it is Page 275 The Cause thereof Page 388 D. OF the two Principles of Darkness and Light Page 1 Of the Temporal Darkness whence it is Page 65. 227 How the Devil came to be and what he is Page 45 Of Death and Dying Page 191. 192. 277. 313. 321. 358. Of the Divine Nature Page 260 Of the Divine Being in Nature Page 241. 380 The Divine Being and Nature distinguished Page 337. 341 Dinah deflowered what it figureth Page 412 E. WHat the Earth was before the Curse Page 87. 106 What the Earth is since the Curse Page 106 Of the Constitution and Form of the Earth Page 253 Egypt The bringing the Children of Israel out thence what figure it bears Page 121 Of Election and Reprobation what they are Page 345 What the four Elements are and whence proceeded Page 62. 224. 263. Of Enoch's Wonderful Line Page 391 Of the Enochian Life what it is and where hath Enoch remained Page 113. 326 The History of Esau what it figureth Page 405 to 413 Of the Eternal Nature or Originality Page 286 Of the infinite Productions thereof Page 261 Of the Knowledge of the Eternal through the Corruptible Page 272 Of Evil fierceness and anger whence they proceeded Page 2. 223. 247. 334. 380. F. TRue Faith what it is Page 332 Of the Fathers Property Page 243 Of the Firmament in the midst of the Waters Page 66. 228 254 Of the Flesh and Blood of Christ how the Disciples did Eat and Drink it Page 377 Of the Flesh and Spirit the contrariety betwixt them Page 321 Of the forbidden Fruit what it was Page 99 Of the Forms of Nature Page 292 How God Forgiveth Sins Page 336 G. IN what Grace the old World was Saved without Law Page 110 Of God distinct from Nature and Creature Page 42. 369. 379 Of Gods Love and Anger Page 42 Of Gods being All in All. Page 201 Of Gods working in Hell Page 54. 55. 220 Of the Word or Heart of God Page 379 Of Gods Voice when the day grew cool Page 104 Of Good and Evil whence they proceeded Page 334. 366. 380. H. OF the Human Tree Page 390. 393 Of the Hand of God what it is that Christ commended his Soul into Page 144. Of Heaven what it is where it is and how Page 56. 158. 213. 221. 252 Of Hell its beginning continuance and place Page 47. 51. 55. 213. 219. 220. 263. Of the Heathenish Gods whence they sprung Page 396 Of Hagar and Ishmael what their History figureth Page 397 to 400 Of the shedding forth the Holy Ghost after Christs Ascension what it benefits us Page 163 J. THE History of Jacob and Esau what it figureth Page 405 The Vision of Jacob's Ladder Page 407 The rest of the History of Jacob to Page 423 Of Jehovah Page 19 The Image of God in Man what it is Page 78. 238. 245. 273. 316 The History of Joseph what it figureth from Page 413 to 423. Concerning John Baptist what he was Page 125 Of Isaac's Birth and casting out Ishmael what it figureth Page 400 405 Of Judah and Thamar Page 414 Of the last Judgment what it is and how effected Page 195. 285 K. THE Kingdom of Christ how it is assumed or taken by him Page 183 How Christ will deliver the Kingdom to the Father Page 346 L. COncerning Lamech Cain's Successor Page 112 Of the Language of Nature Page 295. 395 Of the Language spoke by the Apostles at Pentecost Page 162 What the Law is Page 122 How the Divine Life may be manifested in this Life Page 350 Of the Life of Darkness what it is Page 343 Of the Principles of Light and Darkness Page 1 Of the true and false Light Page 354 Of the Temporal Light and Darkness Page 65. 227 Lot's Wife becoming a Pillar of Salt what it figureth Page 118 Of his departure out of Sodom Page 399 Of his Daughters Lying with him Page 118 What each signifies Lust what it can do Page 335 Lucifer what moved him to depart from God Page 44 45 Of his doleful Fall Page 250. 359 Of his Office in Hell Page 47. 219 Of his place at present Page 257 M. OF Mans Estate before the Fall Page 21. 82 84. 85. 86. 274 By what Degrees Man fell Page 26. 274. 359. 372. 385 What Mans Estate is by the Fall Page 28. 83. 274. 290. 335. 342. 373. 388 Of Mans Recovery Page 30. 38. 39. 40. 170 Mans mistaken way towards a supposed Happiness Page 37 Of Mans Immortal Life Page 77. 81. 237 Of Mans Mortal Life Page 77. 81. 237. 255. The Difference of the Heavenly and Earthy Man Page 382 Mans Body whence derived Page 75. 237. 255. 264. Of Mans Birth and Propagation Page 271 Why but one Man Created in the Beginning Page 81 Of the Government of Man over the Creatures Page 92 Why the first Man born of a Woman was a Murtherer Page 106 How Man may find himself and all Mysteries Page 303. 342 Of Mans deep Ground and Knowledge Page 46. 299. 304. 343. 358. 372. Of Mans Threefold Life Page 288. 301 Of the Male and Female kind whence proceeded Page 67. 229. Magia what it is and doth Page 346 Of Natural Magick what it is Page 417 Concerning the Metals Page 358 Of the Mind Page 273 Of the strife between Michael and the Dragon what it is Page 45 Moses what doth his being drawn out of the River signifie Page 119 Why the Lord appeared to him in
irrecoverable Apostacy and of his Legions demonstrated 305. P. 385. The Devills present and future Prison 396. Composition of the Tâ—rrene Globe 429. The dear and Transcendent Heavens P. 432. Whence our Lord Jesus came and where also he now sitteth 438. Three Births of and in the Earth 441. P. 446. 456. 467. 471. 485. Man whereof made and what his Fall was What in Man the Devil hath access to 498. Strife of the 7 Spirits causeth Vegetation 500. Commixture of Good with Evil Demonstrated P. 533. 342. 555. The Ubiquity of the Trinity What the Deity is P. 568. Stars whence 570. Lucifer's Place at present Stars and for what P. 590. 594. What the Sun is 598. The Sun moves not the Earth rouls as do the Planets 606. 609. Saturn what 612. Venus what 617. The Ubiquity of the 7 Spirits of God from them came the 7 Planets P. 627. Man's Body 630. 637. Man's Body whereof made v. 56. Three Principles A Simile Or thus Ver. 34. Q. A. * See Chap. 18. of Mysterium Magnum What the Tincture is Tinctures Esences Heavenly Tincture * Ver. 12. What the Tincture is and doth Saturn Jupiter Mars Sol. The Exit of the Will by the sharp Fiat causeth the Essences Ver. 47. Illustrations by Similitudes The Cause of the Baptism with Water Why Children must be Baptized with the outward and inward Water v. 17. v. 22. * Mare v. 42. Ten Forms of Fire The Liberty Desire Attraction Flash Eter Nature Fire and Light Magia Turba Tincture Holy Ternary The Soul is a total Similitude of the Trinity or of all Devils The Souls need of Humility 1. The Souls Will can transform the Body 2. It can reform or deform the Spirit to Good or Evil. 3. It penetrateth the Bones of others 4. If in God it can pour the Turba on the ungodly 5. It can search Nature and work Wonders The pure Soul is not corporeal The Tincture is its Body which only can comprize Gods Body the Heavenly Flesh given in the Supper By propagation The Man soweth Soul the Woman Spirit The Elements the third Principle or Earthy Mystery Answered above It is the inward Fire in the inward Blood of the Heart The Spirit is in the Tincture By dying to Matter and self and by laying hold on the liberty of God it becomes enlightened * Viz. The Fire-Spirit It comes not pure but if the Parents be Vertuous it is Baptized with their Spirit They are not in Union for the sincere Soul is ashamed at the Imaginations the Turba insinuateth into the Body The contrariety is that the inward would be Lord as it ought to be and the outward would be Lord thâ— it ought not Verse 14. Lapis Philosophorum v. 22 23 24. Purgatory No Dying but only a Will of Dying The Heavenly Body of the Soul A zealous Prayer of a faithful Brother may help the weak faith of one hanging between Faith and Doubting * Masses viz. Souls Meals Three Conditions of Departed Souls 1. Those not yet in Heaven who by Earthy Concerns appear in the starry Spirit 2. Such as are free of all wherein is the Turba and appear to reveal good and profound Arts. 3. Such as are in Abrahams Bosom in Christ's heavenly Substantiality those none can stir Paradisical Eating Praises Knowledge of one another All in Paradise are Masculine Virgins The heavenly Flesh and Blood What and where Enoch is The restoration of the heavenly Virgin Image * Or regenerated Christ's Spirit The Christians renewed Spirit The Paradisical World The Trinity made the one Holy Element Out of it Angels Man not only out of it but out of the four Elements Male and Female Tinctures were in Adam The four over which he was to Rule over-powering the one the Tinctures were divided The Eternal Virgin reincorporated Ver. 37. Ver. 4. Self-resignation reduceth the Lifes fire into Liberty Ver. 8. Ver. 28. Holdeth the Truth in unrighteousness Adam's Soul opened the Fires Essences Christ opening the Lights Essences â—ed and clothed the soul with heavenly Flesh. Man was more fully a Similitude of â—he inward World than the Angels Strong Earthy Reason makes strong Resistance to Gods Spirit Matth. 12. 30. What it is not What it is What it doth The Great Mystery 1. Text. 2. Text. 3. Text. 4. Text. 5. Text. 6. Text. 7. Text. 8. Text. 9. Text. Rom. 5. 12 18. 1 Centre 2 Centre 3 Centre P. 35. 36. 39. 42. 48. P. 50. 51. 54. 57. 59. 60. NB. 29. 56. 67. NB. * The Devil v. 14 15 16. v. 67. * 56. Where and how to find God v. 76 v. 77 v. 78. * 41. * 37. God never willed nor can will Evil. v. 105. God according to the first Principle is called Angry Jealous or Zealous In the second Principle Mâ—rciful and Loving v. 20. v. 39 c. Three Hierarchies of Angels Lucifer gave himself into the third Principle v. 82. v. 64. v. 85. v. 95. v. 112. v. 116. Illustr 1. Illustr 2. Illustr 3. Illustr 4. Illustr 5. Illustr 6. Illustr 7. Illustr 8. Illustr 9. Illustr 10. Illustr 11. Illustr 12. Illustr 13 Illustr 14. The Soul's mouth eateth and drinketh Christ's Flesh and Blood as truly as the Plant the Sun's Vertue or the heated Iron the Fire Christs Paradisical Humanity presseth as Fire into Tinder The right Adamical Humanity is eaten and drunk by the Soul a ch 4 5. b ch 13 c. c ch 18 19. d ch 19 20. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The following Instances are as so many Figures to point at the time Adam stood in the Proba Esau lived Forty years then took two Evil Wives Israel Forty years in the Wilderness Forty days searching the Land of Canaan Moses Forty days on the Mount Goliah's Forty days Challenging the Host of Israel Elias Fasted Forty days Christ Forty days Tempted And Forty hours in the Grave And Forty days after his Resurrection Ver. 26. Ver. 28. v. 42. Gen. 6. 1. * v. 5 6. Gen. 9. 20 21 22. Gen. 10. 24. v. 26. Ch. 11. v. 11. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Dan. 11. * 1 Cor. 3. 6. * v. 66. Gen. 15. from v. 1. to v. 17. * John 2. 13 Gen. 18. Gen. 18. * Gen. 18. * ch 19. v. 1. Gen. 19. 15. v. 17. to 23. * Rev. 10. 27. * 2 Thess. 3. Gen. 21. 22. to 34. * Joh. 3. 17. * Ezek. 33. 11 * By himself 1 Cor. 5. 15. * Gen. 22. 3. * v. 4. * v. 6. * v. 7 8. Gen. 24. 2 3. * Gen. 24. v. 5. * v. 6. * v. 9. Gen. 24. v. 10. v. 11. v. 53. * v. 54. * v 61. to 67. Gen. 25. v. 11. * Gen. 25. 24 25 26. * Gen. 26. 32 33. Gen. 27. v. 35. * See the Extracts of the Book of the Incarnation Gen. 28. 14. Gen. 33. 1 2 3. Gen. 33. 5 6 7. Note The Blessed Author taking occasion at Mens false Iâ—ferencâ— from Gods saâ—ing Esau have I hated c. to conclude Goâ—s predetermining Mâ—n to Damnation doth fundamentally discuss that great Mystery from the 22d to the 68th verse of this Chapter so convincingly and yet as plainly as so profound a subject will admit But because it is treated of in a select Volume call'd Predestination beginning p. 369. of this I refer this place thither Gen. 33. 〈◊〉 13 14. * Vide p. 369 c. of this Book of Extracts Gen. 36. * Hebrew Montanus Gen. 37. 6. * Gen. 38. 1 to 10. * Gen. 38. 11 * v. 18 19. * Gen. 38. 27 28 29 30. Gen. 39. 7 8 9 10. Gen. 39. 11 12 13 14 15. Gen. 41. 1 to â— * Gen. 41. 14 15 16. Gen. 42. Gen. 43. Gen. 44. 7 8 9 10. Gen. 44. 11 12 13. v. 14 15 16 17. Gen. 45. 1 2 3. Gen. 45. 11 12 13 14 15. Gen. 46. 28 29 30. Gen. 46. 31 32 33 34. Gen. 47. 1 2 3 4 5 6. Gen. 47. 13 14 15 16 17. v. 18 19. v. 20 21 22. v. 23 24 25 26. Gen. 48. 17. Gen. 50. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Ep. Paul 1 Cor. 2. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Depths of God King Charles the First his Opinion of Jacob Behmen Text. The Seven Fountain Spirits The Three Principles
bloody sweat his being contemned crowned with Thorns his mixt draught of Gall and Vinegar this made the Earth tremble 2. They dreaded now the Lord's voice for the Turba of the Dark World awakened its sad knell In the cool of the day that is when Adam's Eternal day in the Temperature was awakened into cold and heat 3. But in the Lord's voice was the holy Light world Christ the second Principle who in deepest Love espoused it self again to the disappeared heavenly Ens And the holy Word re-entring into the vital Light did reincorporate it self in the Woman's seed which in time did move its self in Mary's seed quickening the disappear'd heavenly Virginity by introducing the holy living Ens. 4. This ingrafted Word was inspoken into Eves Matrix as a limit of a certain Covenant which was all along propagated in Eves seed from Man to Man in the heavenly part as a glimmering incentive of the Divine holy Lights fire until the awakening of it in Mary where the Covenant was fulfilled by the most holy name Jesus signified by the holy Fire in the Jewish Sacrifices kept from prophane strange Fire 5. This bruised or brake the Serpents head that is did infuse inspire recal in-hest the right Virgin Purity with the precious holy name Jesus who introduced the living heavenly Ens into the disappeared captiv'd Ens and mortified the Serpents desire in flesh and blood 6. For the Child of the Man and Woman is a Bastard nor shall inherit but the chaâ—t Virgins Child born out of the death of the brutal and bestial Man and Woman with both Tinctures of peculiar Love He is the Heir who dieth not and at the Resurrection shall take on it the pure Limus of the Earth viz. the third Principle as a Garment CHAP. XXIV The Cause of the Curse and of the Body of Sickness 1. THE Curse was that the holy Element Tincture or Ens which had budded and bare fruit through the Earth holding captive the Property of the four Elements hid withdrew kept it self secret and became a mystery to Man in his awakened vanity who remained with a half Serpentine desire of Earthy hunger half dead between Time and Eternity chain'd till he should return to Earth wâ—ence he was as to one part extracted and be sown into the Earth but as a fixt Metal is not destroyed but the Artist brings thence excellent Gold so the fixt part of the Human Body waits only for the Divine Artist to raise it which because it must be tryed by Fire such as the Ens is such shall be the enkindled Fire 2. All wicked Serpentine works shall as Quick-silver evaporate But if Man's Human Soul hath impressed into the mortal part of the Limus of the Earth by Divine Desire and Faith a Divine Ens it lieth as precious Gold shut up in Lead or Dross as a glimmering â—incentive waiting till the great Artist release it to burn and shine 3. Our gracious God not only gave his holy living Word for cure of all whose minds casting away abominations immerse themselves thereinto but knowing Man would not stand caus'd all Medicinal Herbs for hunger and health to grow for him Thus Man hath his Cure the Devil hath not 4. God created Man naked what ever is in the World is his but it is common but the hunger for Propriety Power and Domination is of the Serpent 5. Therefore must we become as little Children and so rule over the besâ—ial Man So great is the Enmity God hath put between the two seeds in Man who now is according to the outward Man a Beast according to the inward an Angel or Devil CHAP. XXV How God drove Adam out of Paradise and laid the Cherub before the Garden v. 18. 1. LUcifer's Fall tainted the Limus of the Earth before it was brought into compaction Adam's outward Body was taken out of the Limus of the Earth Him God set to be Judge by his Word having the Judicial Sword against the Devil's enkindled wickedness v. 17. 2. Also God seeing Adam's first Body should fall to ruine brought him and Eve into Paradise that afterward they and their Children might by Regeneration re-enter thither in the Spirit of Christ through the Fire-Sword 3. When Man dieth if the Soul be captivated in God's Anger and be not a Virgin Child it cannot pass the Sword v. 5. 4. This Sword is also in Man the Virgin-bud forceth through in the anxiety of true Repentance Then riseth the Morning Star in the occluse or shut up Gate of the true Womans seed v. 13. 5. Yet at death if the Soul hath taken in much of the Serpents craft or lust it stands under God's Anger till the Consumption of the introduced vanity which to many is Purgatory enough 6. For the Fire-Soul must be as pure as the clear refined Gold to be the Husband of the Noble Virgin Sophia the Lights Tincture to speak which needs an Angels Tongue 7. Before the Foundation of the World God chose this Limus out of which he would make Man in Christ Jesus For the Ens thereof had somewhat of false lust by reason of the Devils introduced desire therefore a time of the Judgment of Severation was then founded and a new Limus out of the tainted one CHAP. XXVI Of the Propagation of Man in this World and of Cain the Murtherer of his Brother THIS Chapter treating copiously of Free Will and Predestination the Extract of it is forborn and it 's referr'd to the Extracts of the Book of Election CHAP. XXVII Of Abel's and Cain's Sacrifices 1. THE Souls Free-will originating from the Abyss is thin or subtile and must amass or conceive it self into something wherein to work As Gods Free-will conceived or massed it self with the inward Spiritual World and works through it and that Worlds Free-will amassed the outward World and works through it 2. And because that which the Soul had amassed was distempered with Sin â—acrificing came In the inkindling whereof by Magical and Love-fire not ordinary Fire the Free-will of the Soul and of the Heavenly part of the Body did immass into a substance As a Figure of the New-birth in Christ and by consuming the Bestial Man did press in before the Holiness of God For here the Lubet of God did meet the Inspired Free-will of the Heavenly Humanity Here is the sinful Man consumed by Gods Anger-fire and cut off by the flaming Fire-Sword of the Cherub and the Serpents Head bruised 3. The Souls Free-will which was Inspired wholly pure into Man is in the Covenant in Jesus attoned and again Tinctured by Gods Love-fire as Brass or Iron is tinged and changed to Gold For the Earthy part wherein lay the Curse being consumed the Essence became Spiritual Even so the Soul by Sorrow and Repentance introduceth it self into a Divine desire which is called Faith 4. Also the words of the Prayer of Abel and Israel became amassed into an Incorruptible Essence And this desire of Faith or Essence
in the Spirit of Christ in all Gods Children is that whereby they bring to nought the works of the Devil 5. But Cain's Offering is the Type of Verbal Titular Christendom Who relye only on the Offering and teach that Christs Testaments absolve from Sin tho' themselves remain Impenitent Domineering Murtherers CHAP. XXVIII Of Cain's Murthering his Brother Abel 1. THE cause of that was as still it is a â—trife about Religion The Devil envied Man who was to succeed in the Throne whence he was become Apostate But the Death of Abel's outward Body is a Figure that the Bestial Man must be devour'd that out of Death may spring forth Eternal Life till then must be maintain'd a resolute Conflict And Abel as to the Heavenly part is a Figure of Christ. 2. And Cain in the Wrath is a Figure of the Enmity and Darkness in the Eternal Nature but outwardly a Figure of the Pharisees who Crucified the Lord And of all Persecutors to the end of the World CHAP. XXIX How the Adamical Tree hath put forth it self into Branches and Pullulation 1. THE seventeen first verses is a profound Tract how from Adam c. sprung evil and good ver 18. Cain in the Language of Nature signifieth a Source out of the Centre of the fiery Desire and Self-will out of the fiery might of the Soul viz. out of the first Principle 2. Habel in the Language of Nature signifieth an out-breathed Angel viz. from the second Principle and as a Type of Christ went out Childless for Christ was to generate a new Humane Tree 3. Therefore was it that Adam generated Seth which in the Language of Nature signifying a forth-running or leap where the Love-will riseth out of the Fire-will From him went the Line of the Covenant 4. Cain begat Hanock and Built a City which he called also Hanock signifying an outward selfish Dominion Hanock begat Irad signifying a Potentate or Tyrant Irad begat Mehujael signifying an assuming of the outward and inward Centre of Nature an Earthy God that would possess Riches and Domination out of this Name came Babel Mahujael begat Methusael signifying that mine is the Divine Might I am the Ordnance of God which indeed was true but only according to the first Principle Methusael begat Lamech signifying the sending of the Angel over the fleshly Life 5. Lamech took two Wives viz. a Twofold Effence and Will Ada signifying that â—ain would be honest and Zilla signifying fleshly Joy and Pleasure Ada bare Jubal a plain Man of him were such as kept Cattle but the other was Jubal signifying Temporal Joy viz. the Harp and Organ Zilla bare Tubal Cain it hath an excellent understanding shewing how the Sulphurous Mercurial Wheel opens it self in the Generation of Metals and his Sisters Name was Naemâ— here â—yeth the precious Pearl a Heavenly Property a Virgin of Purity by the dying of the outward Man Naemâ— becomes manifest And Lamech said I have sâ—ain a Man to my Wound and a young Man to my Hurt The Man was Abel the young Man was Christ. 6. Cain was to be Avenged sevenfold if any of the evil Spirits should kill him vengeance should be on such-Spirit by all the seven Properties of the dark World and the mark God set on him was the mark of the Covenant But Lamech was the seventh from Adam and spake Prophetically of what should befal his Posterity viz. should lose the unity and fall into the seventy Languages so that the ten Forms of Fire should open themselves in every of the seven Properties of Nature is seventy and thereto belong the seven unchangeable Forms of the Eternal Nature is seventy seven CHAP. XXX Of the Line of the Covenant 1. THE Covenant was to the Line of Seth as to the outward that they should be Preachers of it But it was as well to the Line of Cain in the Spirit even as Sin passed on the Line of Seth as on others for the Covenant was made to Adam and to the Virgin Image thereby to be restored 2. The evil Beast of the Godless Form God Predestinated to Condemnation but the Covenant is in the Life whose Free will soever resigneth to it in every such Christ riseth and the strange Beast dieth 3. Sâ—th signifieth in the Language of Nature a forth-breathing Spring out of the Life through the first Centre of the Soul Seth begat Enos which signifies a Divine Lâ—beâ— The fifth was Kenan signifying a forth-going re-conceived Lubet or desire of Divine Contemplation The sixth was Mahalaleel signifying an Angelical Form of an Angelical Kingdom 4. The seventh was Jared signifying a Priest or Prince of the Spiritual Kingdom as Irad was of the worldly Dominion The Office of Jared is Twofold outwardly 't is Moses and inwardly Christ as Lamech had two Wives And Jared begat Enoch signifying the out-breathed Breath of the Divine Good Pleasure The seven Generations have these Figures 5. 1. Adams purity before the Fall and Abel to whom the Fall hung and his being Murthered point out Christ who should bring us through Death into the pure Life 2. Seth's time continued to the Deluge 3. Enos time goes under Seth's and till Abraham 4. Canaan's time goes under Seth and Enos and until Christ in the Flesh. 5. Mahalaleel goes during Christ in the Flesh and the time of the Apostles of Christ. 6. Jared began after the death of the Apostles and ruled inwardly in Christs Children and outwardly the Cherub with the Sword bare rule This sixth time is known and yet hidden and passed under Antichrist as in a Mystery 6. True Christians wage no War for they having broken the Sword of the Cherub are dead and risen with Christ and live not to External Might his Kingdom not being of this World This sixth time continues till Translated Enoch appears in Spirit and Elias Sword comes then falls the outward Jared Babel 7. And God will restore the Spirits of the Letters CHAP. XXXI Of Enoch's Wonderful Line 1. ENoch begat Methusalah of the highest Age signifying a forth proceeding Voice Methusalah begat Lamech as the Lamech in Cain's Line had two Wives or Wills so this begat Noah signifying the end and the beginning 2. Noah had three Branches Sem signifying an out breathing Divine Lubet Ham signifying a strong breathing out of the Centre of Nature Japhet signifying an Appendix of Sem viz. a Natural Wonder Sem is a Type of the Light World Japhet of the Fire World Ham an Image of the Out-birth 3. The Sons of God looked on the Daughters of Men c. viz. those in whom Gods Spirit manifested it self looked according to the Lusts of the Flesh. And Giants viz. Tyrants were Born viz. Men whose Pride would receive no rebuke Therefore came the Deluge and after the three Families were sever'd It repented God that he had made Man and grieved him c. viz. according to the Creation of the formed Word not the Eternal speaking Word CHAP. XXXII Of the