What is the Spirit of Christ which was l willing, and which he commended into his Father's Hands?n7401 ¶1
1. THIS is that great and excellent 2 jewel; and we exceedingly rejoice that we know it, so that we are able to know ourselves what we are, and it is more worth to us than all the world; for it is that Pearl of which Christ said, 3 that one sold all that he had and bought that Pearl.n7401 ¶2
2. For it is more profitable to a man than the whole world; it is more precious than the sun, for the 4 noble stone of the wise men heth therein; it hath the heavenly and earthly 5 Mysterium magnum; and there is nothing in the world to be compared to it, but 6 sincere simplicity, which is quiet, and bringeth forth or stirreth up no turba; and that hath the jewel hidden in it.n7401 ¶3
3. As gold heth in the stone and is unconsumed, if a 7 robber cometh not with the earthly turba and destroyeth it, and yet attaineth it not; so self-reason is a robber in the 8 Mystery.n7401 ¶4
4. Therefore we may say upon good ground, that a simple 9 plain man, who in simplicity, without multiplicity of science, dependeth on God, hath the Mysterium magnum better and surer, and less decayed, than a high learned 10 doctor, who soareth aloft in reason, and n spoileth the jewel and setteth it in Babel; this will not be well relished, but that is nothing to us, we must speak the truth withoutn7401 ¶5
12 partiality.n7401 ¶6
1 Or obedient.n7401 ¶7
2 treasure, gem, or pearl.n7401 ¶8
3 Matt. xiii. 46.n7401 ¶9
4 Or the Philosopher's Stone.n7401 ¶10
6 Or trusting in God, and enduring whatsoever he layeth upon us.n7401 ¶11
7 Or spoiler.n7401 ¶12
8 That is, in the cabinet where the Pearl lieth.n7401 ¶13
9 Layman.n7401 ¶14
10 Or father.n7401 ¶15
11 Or disputeth, and wrangleth about it.n7401 ¶16
12 Or respect of persons.n7401 ¶17
5. Now when we speak of Christ's spirit, reason thinketh it is the soul, or else the spirit of the outward life, which consisteth in the virtue and operation of the stars and elements; but it is not so, it is another thing wherein the image of God standeth; the outward spirit belongeth not to the Deity, but to the wonders.n7401 ¶18
6. We have spoken somewhat of it already; but because this question doth put us in mind of it again, mentioning, that when he died he commended it to his Father, therefore we must speak thereof, how it was.n7401 ¶19
7. You sufficiently perceive in what manner the soul is the * centre of nature, the original of life and mobihty, viz. God's fire, which should be continually converted into the eternal wdl of God, wherein it is originally born from the magical desire, and is a great secret come out of the eternal nothing, wherein all things are contained, even the Deity with all the three Principles, and every 2 being that can be named.n7401 ¶20
8. And you perceive that the light and spirit of the air proceed from the fire, and also that the fire doth again draw the spirit of the air into itself, and so always bloweth itself up; and so with the light, air, and 3 source of the fire, it is its own life.n7401 ¶21
1 centrum natures.n7401 ¶22
2 thing, essence, or substance.n7401 ¶23
9. And further, we have spoken before of the noble tincture which ariseth in the light, in which the meekness of the light consisteth, and it cometh forth from the anguish, which is as a mortification, and springeth forth afresh through the mortifying anguish, as a life having another 1 property, where the property of the fire is a kind of tincture, like the driving forth of a spirit; and yet it is desiring, and thereby it attracteth the virtue of the light into itself, and maketh it an essence, viz. water.n7401 ¶24
10. And therein are two forms: One according to the source of fire, which is red, and therein the virtue, viz. Sulphur, and the other, which is like a thin meekness, yet having essentiality, is water; which the desiring tincture contracteth into one, and changeth it into blood.n7401 ¶25
11. Now the original in the blood, viz. fire, which is a warmth, that is, a tincture, is a life; and in the virtue of the tincture, the thin water of the life proceedeth, onen7401 ¶26
2 virtue proceeding forth from 3 another; and the virtue doth always re-assume that which goeth forth: and that which is gone forth is free from the fire, and also from the virtue; for it is gone forth, and yet it arose from the virtue.n7401 ¶27
12. And this is the true spirit which is born out of the soul, wherein the image of God, with the divine virgin of God's wisdom, consisteth; for all understanding and knowledge heth in this spirit; it hath the senses, and the noble life which uniteth itself with God: this spirit is so subtle that it can and may enter into God.n7401 ¶28
2 The outward.n7401 ¶29
3 The inward.n7401 ¶30
13. If this spirit resigneth itself up to God, and casteth away the ostentation and 1 cunning of the fire of its own soul, then it attaineth the image of God, the divine body; for it putteth its will into God, and dwelleth in God with power: thus it is clothed with the divine essentiality, and is without this world in the life of God.n7401 ¶31
14. But seeing this spirit ariseth first out of the centre of nature, that is, out of the life of fire, though it is not the life of the fire, but the spirit of it; and the hfe of the fire standeth originally in the abyss, in the source of God's anger; therefore Christ did not commend this spirit of his to the fiery-life, but into the hands of his Father.n7401 ¶32
15. His hands are the love-desire, wherewith he embraceth our spirit when we enter into him, and commend ourselves to him.n7401 ¶33
16. For when his body was to die on the cross, and his soul was to pass through hell, through the anger of God, there the devils waited, and thought with themselves, We will surely keep the soul in our turba in the fire; and then Christ commended the spirit into the love of God.n7401 ¶34
17. And so the soul of Christ, with the spirit, came into God's hand, being encompassed with the fire of anger and death; and death would have held it there; but death was destroyed and confounded.n7401 ¶35
4 reason, subtlety, or wit.n7401 ¶36
18. For death smothered the outward [spirit], viz. the outward Hfe, and then thought, Now surely the soul must remain in the turba: but there was one stronger in the soul, viz. the Word of God, which took death captive, and destroyed the anger, and quenched the wrath, with the love in the Spirit of Christ.n7401 ¶37
19. It was a poison to hell for the love of God to come into it, and smother it in the soul; also a plague, death and destruction to death; death must now suffer an eternal life to grow up in it.n7401 ¶38
20. Thus the spirit of Christ took the devil captive, and drave him out of the fire of the soul, and cast him into darkness, and shut him up under darkness, out from the fire of the soul, and out from God's fire, into the wrathful harshness and bitterness in cold: there let him warm himself, lest he freeze with cold.n7401 ¶39
21. Consider the first four forms of nature, and you will understand what the devil's mansion is; for, before Christ [came] he kept the soul captive in the turba, with the fire; and though he had not the spirit of the soul, yet he had the root of it in the turba: but then he was commanded to cease, and he was thrown out, and driven into darkness; and thus his malice was destroyed by Christ's descending into hell, and Christ became his judge.n7401 ¶40
22. Thus we have in brief described what the spirit of Christ, and our spirit, is, viz. not the outward spirit, but the spirit of the soul; not the soul itself, but the spirit of its life.n7401 ¶41
23. As in God the Holy Ternary is distinct, being three Persons in one essence, and yet but one only God: where the Son hath the spirit, viz. the life, proceeding out of his Heart and mouth; and the Heart is the flame of love; and the Father then7401 ¶42
1 source of anger, which is allayed by the Son in the love; so that in God there is but one only will and essence.n7401 ¶43
24. Thus it is also in man, and no otherwise, no, not in the least tittle; whatsoever God in Christ is, that we also are in Christ, in God; his true children: Therefore let us also commend our spirit into his hands, and so we may be able to pass through death into life, with Christ in God.n7401 ¶44
25. Therefore be not led about, and gulled with 2 toys and trifles, as hitherto ye have been, in Babel; where this and that hath been 3 disputed about the soul and its spirit; one this way, and another that way; there is no ground among them, but mere fiction and opinion.n7401 ¶45
26. Understanding is born in God, not in the schools from art; yet we despise it not; for art, if it be born in God, is a tenfold Mystery, for it always attaineth then7401 ¶46
4 tenth number in 5 reason, much better than a 6 plain man; for it can of many numbers make one. 7n7401 ¶47
1 fountain, property.n7401 ¶48
2 rattles, fooleries, shells, specious shows, or imitation, or mimic tricks.n7401 ¶49
3 Or prated.n7401 ¶50
4 Or perfection.n7401 ¶51
5 Or wit, and understanding.n7401 ¶52
6 Or simple layman.n7401 ¶53
7 sum, or total.n7401 ¶54
27. But it standeth not in self- ability; no: one must enter in by the cross as well as the other, let him be a doctor, or a l mean man: God's secrets will admit no doctors, but scholars into them; yet a learned 2 scholar may go very far.n7401 ¶55
28. Had but this hand the high art, and also these high gifts, you would well see it; but God will have it as it is: It is indeed his pleasure, to 3 make the wisdom of this world foolishness, and to give his power to the weak, that 4 all may bow down before him, and acknowledge, that he only is the Lord that doth whatsoever he will.n7401 ¶56
1 Or layic.n7401 ¶57
2 discipulus.n7401 ¶58
4 all life, or creatures.n7401 ¶59
THE THIRTY-EIGHTH QUESTION What are the Things that shall come to pass at the end of the World?n7401 ¶60
1. BELOVED Friend, it is not fit for me to answer this your question, neither is it in my own power; and besides, it is not fit for any to ask it, for it is the secret counsel of God: none should esteem himself to be equal with God, and to foreknow all things.n7401 ¶61
2. Our knowledge *consisteth in the spirit and will of God; when that moveth, then go on in the heavenly magia, and enter into the wonders of the earthly: Now is the prophet born, for he standeth upon the 1 crown, and speaketh magically of the beginning of the wonders, and their turba; and sheweth how they shall come to an end, and be destroyed, and brought again into the first.n7401 ¶62
3. For all prophets speak from the turba; f they discover that which is false, and declare what is better, which entereth into the will of God.n7401 ¶63
1 Or at the end of a time, or age.n7401 ¶64
* "consisteth," lit., "stands."n7401 ¶65
t "they discover" (sie zeigen an), "they shew," or "they point out," "expose."n7401 ¶66
4. Therefore be pleased not to * urge us with this question, for we should be captivated in the turba by it: you may understand enough in all the questions, what is to be done hereafter; we have hinted it to you clearly enough.n7401 ¶67
5. We dare not speak any otherwise, than 1 in a magical manner, of things to come; because the wonders to come are all seen in the turba: now when the spirit seeth them, then it declareth clearly and plainly how the turba is loaded with evil orn7401 ¶68
6. But it seeth that all things are mixed; for God is become man, and sets his mercy everywhere in the anger, and hindereth perdition; therefore the prophet must speak magically, and not in express and plain terms: for it often cometh to pass, that, though a thing be evil in its 2 essence, yet there 3 soon groweth a sprout out from the wickedness which 4 destroyeth the turba, and causeth a conversion.n7401 ¶69
7. Therefore God admonisheth you to subdue the firmamental heaven, and to oppose it; and so the evil which the firmamental heaven poureth forth is many times turned into that which is better.n7401 ¶70
8. Otherwise, if all should of necessity come to pass which the firmamental heaven hath, then we should need no teaching, for that would be a certain, constant, and perpetual calendar.n7401 ¶71
9. You know well, what Daniel, Ezekiel, and David say in their prophecies; especially the Revelation of Jesus Christ: In them lieth all that shall hereafter come to pass; and they also spake 5 magically of things to come.n7401 ¶72
1 Or by way of similitude, or in parables.n7401 ¶73
3 As at Nineveh, in Jonah's time.n7401 ¶74
4 Or keepeth back vengeance.n7401 ¶75
5 in mystical terms, which outward reason could not comprehend.n7401 ¶76
* "urge" (beschwereri), "burden," or "trouble."n7401 ¶77
10. But in our writings you have them more clearly, for the time is now * nearer the end; and therefore it appeareth the more plainly what shall be done at the end.n7401 ¶78
11. And I would have you directed to our other writings, and there you shall find enough of this, for the wicked world is not worthy of an open, plain, and manifest discovery, because thereby the great secret, which belongeth only to the children of God, would be 1 defiled; for God will not have us 2 cast pearls before swine, but give them to the children for their delight; and thus do you also.n7401 ¶79
12. There is no need that the Mystery should he under worldly protection; that is a folly, and God is dishonoured by it, as if he were not able to protect it.n7401 ¶80
13. You should not look for the Mystery among the mighty, and 3 confide in them more than in others, for the 4 turba presently enters in with a law, and so the spirit of God is as it were bound, and so an Antichrist is brought forth.n7401 ¶81
14. Look upon Israel; when they rejected Samuel and their judges, and thought that if their doctrine were but under a worldly arm, and that they had but a king, then they would keep their Law; but it is known how they did: Did not their kings introduce the 5 turba, and make calves to be worshipped, and compel the people to adore their idols? This is mentioned out of my affection and good will.n7401 ¶82
15. But we give you no particular resolution of this question, you shall find enough of it in the other questions, and we dare not write any plainer.n7401 ¶83
1 Or touched.n7401 ¶84
2 Matt. vii. 6, xv. 26.n7401 ¶85
3 Or pin your faith upon their sleeves, and look for a religion from them.n7401 ¶86
4 persecution.n7401 ¶87
5 idolatry.n7401 ¶88
* "nearer the end." Here the German text goes on, "and the beginning hath found the end," and then proceeds, "and therefore it appeareth," etc.n7401 ¶89
THE THIRTY-NINTH QUESTION What, and where is Paradise, with its Inhabitants?n7401 ¶90
1. WE have hinted, in the Enochian life, that it is in this world, yet as it were swallowed up in the Mystery; but it is not altered in itself, it is only withdrawn from our sight and our l source; for if our eyes were opened, we should see it.n7401 ¶91
2. Nay, God in his Ternary is with us; how then should paradise be lost? We have lost its 2 source and fruit in the outward life, as the devil lost God, when he wilfully exalted himself as a haughty spirit, and would be lord; so it is with us.n7401 ¶92
3. When Adam ate of the earthly fruit of good and evil, then he also gat an earthly life, good and evil, and was driven out of the fair garden of paradise, where heavenly fruit grew, into this earthly life.n7401 ¶93
4. Many have written wonderfully of paradise, but now their blindness appears in the daylight, whom yet we contemn not, for they were seekers. Every 3 age hath had its seekers, who have sought the 4 Mysterium; but it hath been a long time very dark in Babel.n7401 ¶94
1 property, or sense.n7401 ¶95
2 property, or working.n7401 ¶96
3 Or seculum.n7401 ¶97
4 Or hidden Mystery.n7401 ¶98
5. Now for these two hundred years it hath begun to open itself again; in which time the fall of Antichrist *hath discovered itself, and men have begun to storm Babel on one side, but her f strong l tower standeth firm still; indeed the whore hath been somewhat discovered, yet her 2 beast hath but grown the more lusty.n7401 ¶99
6. Therefore there is yet a wonderful time near at hand, wherein all things shall be altered: 3 many great mountains and hills shall be made plain; and a fountain shall flow out o/Zion, wherein the afflicted and distressed shall drink and be refreshed.n7401 ¶100
7. And they shall be led to the fresh pasture with a staff, and the shepherd shall rejoice with the sheep, that God is so gracious.n7401 ¶101
8. At that time silver and gold shall be as common as in Solomon's time, and his wisdom shall govern the whole earth: this is a wonder.n7401 ¶102
1 Or bulwark.n7401 ¶103
2 worldly authority.n7401 ¶104
3 Ezek. xxxviii. 20.n7401 ¶105
* "hath discovered itself," or "become evident." St Martin has, "s'est annoncee.' f "strong tower," or "stronghold."n7401 ¶106
THE FORTIETH QUESTION Whether is Paradise mutable, and what shall it be afterwards?n7401 ¶107
1. AS little as God is mutable, so little is paradise mutable, for it is a part of the Deity; and when this outward dominion shall pass away, in the very place where the world now standeth, there will be mere paradise; for the earth will be of a heavenly essentiality, so that we shall be able to dwell anywhere, and be able to pass through and through it.n7401 ¶108
2. At the last day we shall not ascend above the 1 place of this world, but make our abode here in our own native country, and go into our home, in another world, in another Principle, of another 2 property.n7401 ¶109
3. For there will be no cold, nor heat any more, also no night: we shall be able everywhere to pass quite through the heavenly earth without * interruption, and then it will be paradise, and the tabernacle of God with man; for it is written,n7401 ¶110
3 Behold I make all things new, a new heaven, and a new earth, and the old shall be no more remembered.n7401 ¶111
1 locus universi.n7401 ¶112
4. This earth will be 1 like a chrystalline sea, and all the wonders of the world will be seen 2 wholly perspicuously; and the 3 brightness of God shall be the light thereof; and the holy Jerusalem, the great city of God, shall be therein, where they shall offer up the calves of their lips; there shall the bright city of God with the wonders and wisdom be established; and the temple of God, the 4 new Jerusalem, shall be prepared upon the new earth, which is adorned from the power and wonders of God.n7401 ¶113
5. All whatever the prophets have written shall be there fulfilled; for God's word and wonders shall flourish as grass upon the new earth.n7401 ¶114
6. There is no 5 death any more, also no fear, no sorrow, no sickness; no superior, but only Christ, who will dwell with us: we shall have one communion with the angels, we shall have fruit grow according to our desire and wish.n7401 ¶115
7. There will be no old age; but one of a hundred years will be as a new-born child, and we shall hve in mere delight of love.n7401 ¶116
8. All whatever is joyful will be sought after; and there the will of all will be inclined to make one another rejoice.n7401 ¶117
9. We shall lead a holy priestly life, and we shall all speak of God's wisdom and eternal wonders, for the divine magia hath infinite and innumerable wonders; the more it is sought, the more there is in it; and this is the increasing of the will ofn7401 ¶118
2 Or through and through, transparently.n7401 ¶119
3 Or glance, or lustre.n7401 ¶120
10. To this end God hath made himself manifest in images, viz. in angels and men, that so he might have joy in himself, and eternally rejoice with the essences of his life. Hallelujah.n7401 ¶121
11. Thus, my beloved Friend, we have set down, according to our gifts, a round answer to your questions; and we exhort you as a brother not to despise us, in respect of our simple speech and * 1 incongruity.n7401 ¶122
12. For we are not born of art, but of simplicity, and we speak great things in simple words: take this as a singular gift from God, you shall find more in it than in the best 2 eloquence of the highest art, unless they also have their birth from this school; and then we will prescribe nothing to such, but acknowledge them for our loving brethren in Christ, with whom we have assured hope to rejoice eternally in the heavenly school, of which we here have attained a little foretaste.n7401 ¶123
13. Yet our knowledge here is but in part; when we shall attain 3 perfection, then we will say what God is, and can do. AMEN.n7401 ¶124
1 Or unlearnedness.n7401 ¶125
2 artificial, eloquent orators.n7401 ¶126
3 Or the total.n7401 ¶127
A SHORT SUMMARY APPENDIX OF THE SOUL,n7401 ¶128
THE IMAGE OF THE SOUL, AND OF THE TURBA, WHICH IS THE DESTROYER OF THE IMAGEn7401 ¶129
Written by the same Author J. B.n7401 ¶130
In a Short Summary Appendix, of which in the other writings of this Author is written fundamentally and at large.n7401 ¶131
1. THE soul is an eye in the eternal abyss, a similitude of eternity, a perfect figure and image of the first Principle, and resembleth God the Father in his Person, as to the eternal nature.n7401 ¶132
2. The essence and substance of it, merely and purely as it is in itself, is first the wheel of nature, as to the first four * forms.n7401 ¶133
3. For the Word of the Lord 2 comprised the soul, by the eternal Fiat in the eternal will of the Father, in the centre of the eternal nature, and opened it with the Holy Ghost, or blew it up as a fire, which lay hid in the eternity, and wherein all forms of the eternal nature stood from eternity, and 3 is alone known in the wisdom, in the divine magia as a figure or image without substance.n7401 ¶134
1 1. Astringent. 2. Bitter. 3. Fire. 4. Anguish.n7401 ¶135
2 Or formed, fashioned, or created.n7401 ¶136
3 The soul, or the forms.n7401 ¶137
4. Yet that 1 thing hath not been substantial, but essential, and hath been known in the Principle, in the flash, where the fire ariseth; but the shadow of it hath, from eternity in a figurative image, figured itself in the desiring will of God, and hath stood 2 before the Ternary of God in the magia, in the wisdom of God, as a similitude of the Holy Trinity, in which God hath manifested himself as in a glass.n7401 ¶138
5. The substance and image of the soul may be resembled to the earth, having a fair flower growing out of it, and also to the fire and light: as we see that earth is a 3 centre, but no life; yet it is essential: and a fair flower groweth out of it, which is not like earth, neither hath it the smell and taste of the earth, much less the figure of it, and yet the earth is the mother of the flower.n7401 ¶139
6. And so the soul also 4 appeared out of the eternal centre of nature, out of the eternal essence, with the word Fiat in the will of God; and was held in the Fiat, so that it 4 appeared as a fiery eye, and similitude of the first Principle, in a creaturely form and substance.n7401 ¶140
7. And from this eye went the glance of its fire, as hght doth from fire; and in this glance of its own fire, the eternal image, which is in the wisdom of God, was seen and conceived by the will of the Heart of God in the second Principle; that is, by the Word Fiat of the second Principle, in the love and power of the Holy Trinity, whence the Holy Ghost proceedeth.n7401 ¶141
2 Or in the presence of the Ternary.n7401 ¶142
3 ground, foundation, or soil, or the mother of that which groweth upon it.n7401 ¶143
4 shone.n7401 ¶144
8. And thus the soul was a whole similitude and image of the Holy Trinity: here we must take the soul for the centre of nature, and its fiery life for the first Principle; but the sprout, or the image of the soul, which is a similitude of God, buddeth forth from the soul, as a flower from the earth, and is comprised by the Holy Ghost; for it is his mansion.n7401 ¶145
9. Now if the soul putteth its imagination out from itself (we mean out from itsn7401 ¶146
1 source of fire), into the hght of God, then it receiveth the light, as the moon doth the glance of the sun; and so its image standeth in the Majesty of God, and the soul in the hght of God, and its fiery property is changed into meekness and fervent love; and then it is known to be * the child of God.n7401 ¶147
10. But seeing the soul is essential, and its own substance a desire, it is plain that it consists in two Fiats; one of them is its corporeal propriety, and the other is the second Principle, proceeding from God's will which is in the soul, in which God desireth to have 2 it his image and similitude.n7401 ¶148
11. To which end Gods desiring is as a Fiat in the centre of the soul, and continually draweth the will of the soul towards the Heart of God: for the 3 longing of God would have the soul; and, on the contrary, the centre in the power of the fire would have it.n7401 ¶149
3 pleasure, will, or desire.n7401 ¶150
* "the child of God," lit., "the wiU of God."n7401 ¶151
12. For the life of the soul hath its original in the fire, and that makes the striving for the image of the soul: and which of these two forms, whether it be the fire, or meekness of love that overcometh, that will be the quality of the soul; and as the quality of the will of the soul is, such an image will the soul have.n7401 ¶152
13. And we must know that if the will of the soul changeth itself, then its form will be also changed; for if the 1 source of the soul be fiery, then it hath also a fieryn7401 ¶153
14. But if the soul turneth its imagination into the centre, into the strongn7401 ¶154
2 astringency and bitterness, then its fair image is also captivated in the dark astringency, and infected with the astringent wrath.n7401 ¶155
15. And then this wrath is a turba, which possesseth the image, and destroyeth the similitude of God; for in God there is love, light, and meekness: but in this image there is darkness, astringency, and bitterness, and the essential 3 source is fire, proceeding from the essences of wrath; and then this image belongeth not to the kingdom of God, so long as it continueth in this 4 source and form in the darkness.n7401 ¶156
16. Further, fire is a similitude of the soul; the soul is an essential fire, and the flash of the fire is the life of it: The soul resembleth a globe, or an eye, of fire.n7401 ¶157
1 quality, or property.n7401 ¶158
2 Or harshness.n7401 ¶159
3 quality or property.n7401 ¶160
4 quality, condition, or property.n7401 ¶161
17. The burning fire in the source signifieth the first Principle and the life, yet the fire is not the life; but the spirit of the source which ariseth from the fire, and *proceedeth from the fire-like air, that is the true spirit of the source of the hfe of the fire, which continually bloweth the fire up again, and maketh it burn.n7401 ¶162
18. Now the fire shineth, and giveth hght out of the source, and dwelleth in the source where it shineth, and the source comprehendeth not the hght; and this signifieth the second Principle, wherein God dwelleth.n7401 ¶163
19. For we know that the * power is in the hght, and not in the fire; the fire only giveth essences to the light, and the life, or the light produceth meekness and substantiality, viz. water.n7401 ¶164
20. Now we understand that there is a 2 meek hfe in the hght, without 3 source, and yet itself is an imperceptible source; it is nothing but a longing or desire of love.n7401 ¶165
21. Which source we account a tincture, in which the budding and blossoming hath its original, yet the fire is the cause of it, and the meekness is a cause of the substantiahty; for the desire of love in the hght attracteth it, and keepeth it, so that it becometh a substance; but the desire of fire consumeth the substantiahty.n7401 ¶166
2 Or amiable, loving.n7401 ¶167
[* "proceedeth from the fire-like air" (vom Feuer ausgehet, als eine Lufl), "proceedeth from the fire, as an air" or "as a breath."]n7401 ¶168
22. Also we must conceive, that as the soul is purely and alone in the centre, it is an essential fire in the eye of eternity; and yet that eye desireth a figure and image of the wisdom of God.n7401 ¶169
23. And the image is in its desire, in its imagination; for the l Word Fiat hath * comprehended it, that it might be a simihtude of the eternal wisdom of God, wherein he dwelleth, and wherein he may manifest himself by his spirit, and whatever hath been in his eternal counsel.n7401 ¶170
24. Thus the Majesty of God flameth in the image, in the essential fire, if the essential fire f putteth its desire into the Majesty; but if not, then the image is 2 raw and naked without God, and the tincture is false.n7401 ¶171
25. For the image standeth in the tincture, and hath its original in the tincture, in the light, not in the source of the fire: and as the Heart or Word of God hath its original in the light of the Majesty, in the eternal tincture of the fire of the Father, so hath the image of the soul.n7401 ¶172
26. The image dwelleth in the fire of the soul, as light dwelleth in the fire; but it hath another Principle, as the light is such a source as is different from fire.n7401 ¶173
27. And so the true image of God dwelleth in the light of the fire of the soul; which light the fiery soul must create in the fountain of the love of God, in the Majesty, by putting and yielding its imagination into it.n7401 ¶174
2 void, or empty.n7401 ¶175
* "comprehended" (ergj'iffen), "seized," "taken hold of." f "putteth" (einfuhrt), "introduceth."n7401 ¶176
28. And if the soul do not so, but putteth its imagination into itself, into its wrathful form of the source of the fire, and not into the fountain of love, into the light of God, then its own source of l sourness, astringency, and bitterness riseth up; and the image of God becometh a turba, and swalloweth up the image of God in then7401 ¶177
29. And then the astringent Fiat, in the fiery essence of the soul, figureth for the soul an image of the imagination that is in its will: whatsoever the essential fire of the soul desireth, that will be figured in the soul, viz. * earthly figures: that which the will of the heart casteth itself into, that image the Fiat of the soul will make; that is, as far as the third Principle, and the spirit of the stars and elements haven7401 ¶178
30. So that if the will of the soul casteth itself into the kingdom of this world, then the outward kingdom hath power to bring its imagination into the inward Principle; and if the inward Fiat perceiveth that in the fire of the soul, then it becometh pregnant with it, and retaineth it.n7401 ¶179
31. And then the soul hath the image of a beast in the third Principle, and that cannot be destroyed for ever, except the will of the soul returneth again out of the earthly lust, and pierceth into the love of God again, and then it getteth the image of God again, which may be done only in this life, while the soul is essentially in its 2 aether, in the growing of its tree; but after this life it cannot be done.n7401 ¶180
1 sternness, sharpness, or eagerness.n7401 ¶181
2 ground, or soil, or bed of earth.n7401 ¶182
* "earthly figures," etc., lit., "earthly figures, wherein the soul's will entereth, as avarice, pride, or whatever it may be that the will of the heart casteth itself into."n7401 ¶183
32. Thus you may understand what the soul, spirit, image, and turba are. The soul dwelleth in itself, and is an essential fire; and its image standeth in itself, in the imagination in the light of the soul, if it cleave to God; if not, then it is in anxiety in the wrath of darkness, and is an * abominable l image, or an image of the devil.n7401 ¶184
33. The turba of the soul, which destroyeth the divine image, is the essential wrathfulness; and it is caused by the imagination, or false love and 2 representation, and therefore all lieth in the imagination: the image consisteth in that which we permit to come into our desire.n7401 ¶185
34. It is very necessary for us to strive continually against the earthly reason of flesh and blood, and to yield the spirit of our wills into the mercy and love of God, and always cast ourselves into the will of God, and not account earthly 3 goods and pleasure our treasure, setting our desire therein, which will destroy the image; for it is a turba of the image of God, and bringeth earthly properties into the image.n7401 ¶186
1 vizard, or monster.n7401 ¶187
2 Or imaging.n7401 ¶188
3 Or profit.n7401 ¶189
* "abominable image" (Larva), "mask," or "larva" grub.n7401 ¶190
35. l To sum up all: Christ said, 2 Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also; according to which 3 God will judge the secrets of mankind, and sever the clean from the unclean; and give that which is false to the turba of the fire to be devoured; and that which is holy, which is entered into God he will introduce into his kingdom. AMEN.n7401 ¶191
1 Or to conclude.n7401 ¶192
3 Rom. ii. 16.n7401 ¶193
[ Here the printed book includes Bohme's The Claris (pages numbered separately, i— vi and 1—52). ]n7401 ¶194
(Note ed.: an electronic text version of the Clavis has been prepared earlier.n7401 ¶195
It can be found in the archive.org)n7401 ¶196