Jakob Bhme (1575-1624)

OF

R E G E N E RAT I O N

Though I have in my other Writings, set down a clear description of Regeneration, or the New-Birth,
from the Ground thereof; yet because everyone hath them not, neither hath everyone the Capa it! to understand them; I have therefore, as a Service to the si"p#e Chi#dren o$ Christ, here set down a short Sum concerning the New-Birth% But i$ an! desire to sear h the deep Ground from whence all floweth, and have the Gi$t to understand it, let them read &% The 'hree (rin ip#es o$ the )i*ine +ssen e% &&% The 'hree$o#d ,i$e o$ -an% &&&% The .ort! /uestions of the 0rigina# +ssen e, 1u2stan e, Nature, and (ropert! of the 1ou#% &3% The &n arnation and Birth of 4esus Christ the 1on o$ God5 also of his 1u$$ering, )eath, and Resurre tion% 3% The 1i6 (oints treating of the 'hree Wor#ds how they are in one another as one5 and yet make 'hree (rin ip#es, 'hree Births or Centers% 3&% The -!steriu" -agnu", which is an &nterpretation upon Genesis% And in them he shall find a## that he can ask, and that as deep as the Mind of Man is able to reach % I have written this for the true &srae#ites, that is, for the 7ungr! and 'hirst! 7earts that long after the .ountain o$ Christ, who are my .e##ow -e"2ers in the 1pirit o$ Christ8 But not for the &sh"ae#ites and 1 orners, for they have a Boo9 within them, wherewith they ve , persecute, and suppress the Chi#dren o$ Christ that are under the Cross5 and yet, though it be unwi##ing#! and unwitting#! to themselves, they must be 1er*ants to such Chi#dren o$ Christ%

THE FIRST CHAPTER. Showing how Man should consider himself!

C7R&1' said, " cept ye turn and become as #hildren, ye shall not see the kingdom of
$od! :gain, he said to %icodemus; " cept a Man be born again, of &ater and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the 'ingdom of $od; for that which is born of the (lesh is (lesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit! 2% :#so the 1 ripture positi*e#! de #areth, that the fleshly natural Man receiveth not the Things of the Spirit of $od, for they are (oolishness unto him, neither can he know or conceive them! ;% Now seeing that a## o$ us ha*e .#esh and B#ood and are "orta#, as we $ind 2! +6perien e, and !et the 1 ripture saith, that &e are the Temples of the )oly $host, who dwelleth in us, and that the 'ingdom of $od is within us, and that #hrist must be formed in us5 a#so, that )e will give us his (lesh for (ood, and his Blood for *rink+ :nd that, &hosoever shall not eat of the (lesh of the Son of Man, and drink his Blood hath no ,ife in him! 'here$ore we shou#d serious#! onsider, what 9ind o$ -an in us it is, that is apa2#e o$ 2eing thus #i9e the )eit!% 4% .or it annot 2e said o$ the "orta# .#esh that turneth to +arth again, and #i*eth in the 3anit! o$ this Wor#d, and ontinua##! #usteth against God5 that it is the 'e"p#e o$ the 7o#! Ghost5 "u h #ess an it 2e said that the New Birth o"eth to pass in this earth#! .#esh, whi h dieth and putri$ieth, and is a ontinua# 7ouse o$ 1in% 5% <et seeing that it re"aineth ertain, that a 'rue Christian is 2orn o$ Christ, and that the New Birth is the 'e"p#e o$ the 7o#! Ghost whi h dwe##eth in us, and that the New -an on#!, that is 2orn o$ Christ, parta9eth o$ the .#esh and B#ood o$ Christ5 it appeareth that is is not so eas! a -atter to 2e a Christian% 6% :nd that Christianit! doth not onsist in the "ere 9nowing o$ the 7istor!, and app#!ing the =now#edge thereo$ to ourse#*es, sa!ing that #hrist died for us, and hath destroyed *eath and turned it into ,ife in us, and that )e hath paid the -ansom for us, so that we need do nothing but comfort ourselves therewith, and steadfastly believe that it is so! 7% .or we $ind o$ ourse#*es that 1in is #i*ing, #usting, strong, and power$u##! wor9ing in the .#esh, and there$ore it "ust 2e so"ewhat e#se, whi h doth not o-operate with 1in in the .#esh, nor wi##eth it, that is the New-Birth in Christ% >% .or 1t% .aul saith, There is no #ondemnation to them that are in #hrist /esus% :nd

$urther, Should we that are #hristians be yet Sinners0 $od forbid, seeing we are dead to Sin in #hrist! ?% Besides, the -an o$ 1in annot 2e the 'e"p#e o$ the 7o#! Ghost5 and !et, there is no Man that sinneth not, for $od hath shut up all under Sin! :s the 1 ripture saith, %o one living is righteous in thy Sight, if thou imputest his Sins to him! The righteous Man falleth seven Times a *ay; and !et it annot 2e "eant that the righteous $a##eth and sinneth, 2ut his "orta# and sin$u# -an% .or the righteousness o$ a Christian in Christ annot 1in% 1@% -oreo*er, 1t% .aul saith, 1ur #onversation is in )eaven, from whence we e pect our Saviour /esus #hrist! Now, i$ our Con*ersation 2e in 7ea*en, then 7ea*en "ust 2e in us5 Christ dwe##eth in 7ea*en5 and then i$ we are his 'e"p#e, that 'e"p#e 7ea*en "ust 2e in us% 11% But $or a## this, seeing 1in te"pteth us within us, where2! the )e*i# hath within us an : ess to us, there$ore 7e## a#so "ust 2e in us too, $or the )e*i# dwe##eth in 7e##5 wheresoe*er he is, he is in 7e##% and annot o"e out o$ it% <ea, when he possesseth a -an, he dwe##eth in 7e##, in the :nger o$ God in that -an% 12% 'here$ore we ought to onsider we## what -an is, and how he is a -an5 and then we sha## $ind that a true Christian is not a "ere histori a# new Man, as i$ it were enough $or us outward#! to on$ess Christ, and 2e#ie*e that he is the 1on o$ God, and hath paid the Ranso" $or us% .or Righteousness a*ai#eth nothing, i"puted $ro" without, that is, 2! 2e#ie*ing on#! that it is so i"puted% But it is an inherent Righteousness 2orn in us, 2! whi h we 2e o"e the Chi#dren o$ God, that a*ai#eth% 1;% :nd as the earth#! .#esh "ust die, so a#so the ,i$e and Wi## "ust die $ro" 1in, and 2e as a Chi#d that 9noweth nothing, 2ut #ongeth on#! a$ter the -other whi h 2rought it $orth% 1o #i9ewise "ust the Wi## o$ a Christian enter again into its -other, into the 1pirit o$ Christ, and 2e o"e a Chi#d in itse#$, in its own Wi## and (ower, ha*ing its Wi## and )esire in #ined and dire ted on#! towards its -other% :nd a new Wi## and 02edien e in Righteousness, whi h wi##eth 1in no "ore, "ust rise $ro" )eath out o$ the 1pirit o$ Christ in hi"% 14% .or that Wi## is not 2orn a-new, whi h desireth and ad"itteth 3anit! into itse#$5 and !et there re"aineth a Wi## whi h #ongeth a$ter 3anit!, and sinneth, e*en in the new2born or regenerate -an% 'here$ore the &"age or Nature o$ -an shou#d 2e we## understood, and how the %ew2birth o"eth to pass5 seeing it is not wrought in the "orta# .#esh, and !et is wrought tru#! and rea##! in us, in .#esh and B#ood, in Water and 1pirit, as the 1 ripture saith% 15% We shou#d there$ore right#! understand what =ind o$ -an it is in us, that is the -e"2er o$ Christ, and 'e"p#e o$ God who dwe##eth in 7ea*en% :nd then a#so what =ind o$ -an it is, that the )e*i# ru#eth and dri*eth5 $or he annot "edd#e with the 'e"p#e o$ Christ, nor doth he are "u h $or the "orta# .#esh5 and !et there are not three -en in one another, $or a## "a9e 2ut one -an%

16% Now i$ we wi## understand this right#!, we "ust onsider 'i"e and +ternit!, and how the! are in one another5 a#so ,ight and )ar9ness, Good and +*i#5 2ut espe ia##! the 0rigina# o$ -an%

This may be thus apprehended!

17% '7+ outward Wor#d with the 1tars and $our +#e"ents, wherein -an and a## Creatures #i*e, neither is, nor is a##ed God% &ndeed God dwe##eth in it, 2ut the 1u2stan e o$ the outward Wor#d o"prehendedeth hi" not% 1>% We see a#so that the ,ight shineth in )ar9ness, and the )ar9ness o"prehendeth not the ,ight, and !et the! 2oth dwe## in one another% 'he $our +#e"ents are a#so an +6a"p#e o$ this5 whi h in their 0rigina# are 2ut one +#e"ent, whi h is neither hot nor o#d, nor dr!, nor "oist5 and !et 2! its stirring separateth itse#$ into .our (roperties, into .ire, :ir, Water, and +arth% 1?% Who wou#d 2e#ie*e that .ire produ eth or generateth WaterA :nd that the 0rigina# o$ .ire ou#d 2e in Water, i$ we did not see it with our +!es in 'e"pests o$ 'hunder, ,ightening, and Rain5 and did not $ind a#so, that in #i*ing Creatures, the essentia# .ire o$ the Bod! dwe##eth in the B#ood, and that the B#ood is the -other o$ the .ire, and the .ire is the .ather o$ the B#ood% 2@% :nd as God dwe##eth in the Wor#d, and $i##eth a## 'hings, and !et possesseth nothing5 and as the .ire dwe##eth in Water, and !et possesseth it not8 :#so, as the ,ight dwe##eth in )ar9ness, and !et possesseth not the )ar9ness5 as the )a! is in the Night, and the Night in the )a!, 'i"e in +ternit!, and +ternit! in 'i"e5 so is -an reated a ording to the outward 7u"anit!5 he is the 'i"e, and in the 'i"e, and the 'i"e is the outward Wor#d, and it is a#so the outward -an% 21% 'he inward -an is +ternit! and the 1piritua# 'i"e and Wor#d, whi h a#so onsisteth o$ ,ight and )ar9ness, o$ the ,o*e o$ God, as to the eterna# ,ight, and o$ the :nger o$ God as to the eterna# )ar9ness5 whi hsoe*er o$ these is "ani$est in hi", his 1pirit dwe##eth in that, 2e it )ar9ness or ,ight% 22% .or ,ight and )ar9ness are 2oth in hi", 2ut ea h o$ the" dwe##eth in itse#$, and neither o$ the" possesseth the other5 2ut i$ one o$ the" entereth into the other, and wi## possess it, then that other #oseth its Right and (ower% 2;% 'he passive #oseth its (ower5 $or i$ the ,ight 2e "ade "ani$est in the )ar9ness, then the )ar9ness #oseth its )ar9ness, and is not 9nown or dis erned% :#so on the ontrar!, i$ the )ar9ness arise in the ,ight and get the upper-hand, then the ,ight and the (ower thereo$ are e6tinguished% 'his is to 2e o2ser*ed a#so in -an% 24% 'he +terna# )ar9ness o$ the 1ou# is 7e##, an a hing 1our e o$ :nguish, whi h is a##ed the :nger o$ God5 2ut the +terna# ,ight in the 1ou# is the =ingdo" o$ 7ea*en, where the $ier! :nguish o$ )ar9ness is hanged into 4o!% 25% .or the sa"e Nature o$ :nguish, whi h in the )ar9ness is a Cause o$ 1adness, is in

the ,ight a Cause o$ the outward and stirring 4o!% .or the 1our e or 0rigina# in ,ight, and the 1our e in )ar9ness are 2ut one +terna# 1our e, and one Nature, and !et the!, the ,ight and )ar9ness, ha*e a "ight! )i$$eren e in the 1our e5 the one dwe##eth in the other and 2egetteth the other, and !et is not the other% 'he .ire is pain$u# and onsu"ing, 2ut the ,ight is !ie#ding, $riend#!, power$u#, and de#ight$u#, a sweet and a"ia2#e 4o!% 26% 'his "a! 2e $ound a#so in -an5 he is and #i*eth in three &orlds; the .irst is the "ternal dark &orld, the Centre o$ the +terna# Nature, whi h produ eth or generateth the .ire, the 1our e or (ropert! o$ :nguish% 27% 'he 1e ond is the "ternal light &orld, whi h 2egetteth the +terna# 4o!, whi h is the )i*ine 7a2itation wherein the 1pirit o$ God dwe##eth, and wherein the 1pirit o$ Christ re ei*eth the hu"an 1u2stan e, and su2dueth the )ar9ness, so that it "ust 2e a Cause o$ 4o! in the 1pirit o$ Christ in the ,ight% 2>% 'he 'hird is the outward visible &orld in the $our +#e"ents and the *isi2#e 1tars5 though indeed e*er! +#e"ent hath its pe u#iar Conste##ation in itse#$, when e the )esire and (ropert! arise, and is #i9e a -ind% 2?% 'hus !ou "a! understand, that the .ire in the ,ight is a .ire o$ ,o*e, a )esire o$ -ee9ness and )e#ight$u#ness5 2ut the .ire in the )ar9ness is a .ire o$ :nguish, and is pain$u#, ir9so"e, ini"i itious and $u## o$ Contrariet! in its +ssen e% 'he .ire o$ the ,ight hath a good Re#ish or 'aste, 2ut the 'aste in the +ssen e o$ )ar9ness is unp#easant, #oathso"e and ir9so"e% .or a## the .or"s or (roperties in the +terna# Nature, ti## the! rea h to .ire, are in great :nguish%

THE SECOND CHAPTER. )ow Man is created!

H+R+ we are to

onsider the Creation o$ -an% Moses saith, God created Man in )is Image, in the Image of $od created he him! 'his we understand to 2e 2oth out o$ the eterna# and te"pora# Birth5 out o$ the inward and spiritua# Wor#d, whi h he 2reathed into hi", into the reated &"age5 and then out o$ the 1u2stan e o$ the inward spiritua# Wor#d, whi h is ho#!% ;1% .or as there is a Nature and 1u2stan e in the outward Wor#d5 so a#so in the inward spiritua# Wor#d there is a Nature and 1u2stan e whi h is spiritua#5 $ro" whi h the outward Wor#d is 2reathed $orth, and produ ed out o$ ,ight and )ar9ness, and reated to ha*e a Beginning and 'i"e% ;2% :nd out o$ the 1u2stan e o$ the inward and outward Wor#d -an was reated5 out o$, and in the ,i9eness o$ the Birth o$ a## 1u2stan es% 'he Bod! is a ,imbus (an +6tra t or a 9ind o$ 1eed, whi h ontaineth a## that whi h the 'hing $ro" when e it is ta9en

hath) o$ the +arth, and a#so a ,imbus o$ the hea*en#! 1u2stan e5 $or the +arth is 2reathed $orth out-spo9en, or reated out o$ the dar9 and #ight Wor#d% &n the Word (iat (or reating Word) in the eterna# )esire -an was ta9en out o$ the +arth, and so reated an &"age out o$ 'i"e and +ternit!% ;;% 'his &"age was in the inward and spiritua# +#e"ent, $ro" when e the $our +#e"ents pro eed and are produ ed% &n that one +#e"ent was (aradise5 $or the (roperties o$ Nature $ro" the (ire2dark2and2light2&orld were a## in 7ar"on! and :gree"ent in Nu"2er, Weight, and -easure% 0ne o$ the" was not "ani$ested "ore e"inent#! than another, there$ore was there no .rai#t! therein% .or no one (ropert! was predo"inant o*er another, neither was there an! 1tri$e or Contrariet! a"ong the (owers and (roperties% ;4% &nto this reated &"age God 2reathed the 1pirit and Breath o$ Bnderstanding out o$ the three &orlds, as one on#! 1ou# whi h, as to its 0rigina# (rin ip#e or +ssen e, is, or onsisteth in, the inward dark (ire2&orld o$ the eterna# spiritua# Nature5 a ording to whi h God a##eth hi"se#$ a strong 3ealous $od, and a consuming (ire% ;5% :nd this now is the eterna# reature#! great 1ou#, a "agi a# Breath o$ .ire, in whi h .ire onsisteth the 0rigina# o$ ,i$e, $ro" the great (ower o$ 1eparation% GodCs :nger, or the eterna# )ar9ness, is in this (ropert!, so $ar as .ire rea heth without gi*ing ,ight% ;6% 'he se ond (ropert! o$ the Breath o$ God is the 1pirit o$ the 1our e o$ ,ight, pro eeding $ro" the great $ier! )esire o$ ,o*e, $ro" the great -ee9ness5 a ording to whi h God a##eth hi"se#$ a loving, merciful $od; in whi h onsisteth the true 1pirit o$ Bnderstanding, and o$ ,i$e in (ower% ;7% .or as ,ight shineth $ro" (ower, and as the (ower o$ Bnderstanding is dis erned in the ,ight, so the Breath o$ the ,ight was Doined to the Breath o$ the .ire o$ God, and 2reathed into the &"age o$ -an% ;>% 'he third (ropert! o$ the Breath o$ God was the outward :ir with its Conste##ation or Astrum, wherein the ,i$e and Conste##ation o$ the outward 1u2stan e and Bod! did onsist% 'his he 2reathed into his Nostri#s5 and as 'i"e and +ternit! hang together, and as 'i"e is produ ed out o$ +ternit!, so the inward Breath o$ God hung to the outward% ;?% 'his three-$o#d 1ou# was at on e 2reathed into -an5 and ea h 1u2stan e o$ the Bod! re ei*ed the 1pirit a ording to its (ropert!% 'he outward .#esh re ei*ed the outward :ir and its Conste##ations, $or a rationa# and *egetati*e ,i$e, to the -ani$estation o$ the Wonders o$ God5 and the ,ight Bod! or 7ea*en#! 1u2stan e re ei*ed the Breath o$ the ,ight o$ the great )i*ine (owers and 3irtues5 whi h Breath is a##ed the 7o#! Ghost% 4@% 'hus the ,ight pier ed through the )ar9ness, through the dar9 Breath o$ .ire, and a#so through the Breath o$ the outward :ir and its Conste##ation or Astrum, and so depri*ed a## the (roperties o$ their (ower, that neither the :nguish o$ the Breath o$ .ire in the inward (ropert! o$ the 1ou#, nor 7eat nor Co#d, nor an! o$ a## the (roperties o$ the outward Conste##ation, "ight or ou#d 2e "ani$ested%

41% 'he (roperties o$ a## the three Wor#ds in 1ou# and Bod! were in eEua# :gree"ent, 'e"perature, and Weight% 'hat whi h was inward and ho#! ru#ed through and o*er the outward, that is, the outward (arts o$ the outward ,i$e, o$ the outward 1tars and Conste##ations and the .our +#e"ents5 and that origina# and uni*ersa# (ower o$ the inward o*er the outward onstituted the 7o#! (aradise% 42% :nd thus -an was 2oth in 7ea*en and a#so in the outward Wor#d, and was ,ord o*er a## the Creatures o$ this Wor#d% Nothing ou#d destro! hi"% 4;% .or su h was the +arth a#so, unti# the Curse o$ God 2ro9e $orth% 'he 7o#! (ropert! o$ the 1piritua# Wor#d sprung up through the +arth, and 2rought $orth 7o#! (aradisai a# .ruits, whi h -an ou#d then eat in a "agi a# (aradisai a# -anner% 44% :nd had neither need o$ 'eeth, nor +ntrai#s in his Bod!% .or as the ,ight swa##oweth up )ar9ness, and as the .ire de*oureth Water, and !et is not $i##ed therewith, Dust su h a Centre -an a#so had $or his -outh to eat witha#, a ording to the -anner o$ +ternit!% 45% :nd he ou#d a#so generate his ,i9e out o$ hi"se#$, without an! di*iding or opening o$ his Bod! and 1pirit, in su h a -anner as God generated the outward Wor#d5 who did not di*ide hi"se#$5 2ut did in his )esire, in the Word (iat, "ani$est hi"se#$, and 2rought that sa"e )esire into a .igure a ording to the +terna# 1piritua# Birth% 1o a#so -an was reated an &"age and ,i9eness o$ God in that Respe t, a ording to 'i"e and +ternit!, out o$ 2oth 'i"e and +ternit!, !et in and $or an i""orta# ,i$e, whi h was without +n"it! or Contrariet!% 46% But the )e*i# ha*ing hi"se#$ 2een a (rin e and 7ierar h in the (#a e o$ this Wor#d, and ast out $or his (ride into the dar9, anguishing, pain$u# and hosti#e (ropert! and 1our e, into the Wrath o$ God, en*ied -an the G#or! o$ 2eing reated in and $or the 1piritua# Wor#d, the (#a e whi h he hi"se#$ on e possessed5 and there$ore 2rought his &"agination or )esire into the &"age o$ -an, and "ade it so #usting, that the dar9 Wor#d, and a#so the outward Wor#d arose in -an, and departed $ro" the eEua# :gree"ent and 'e"perature wherein the! stood, and so one predo"inated o*er the other% 47% :nd then the (roperties were ea h o$ the" separate#! "ade "ani$est in itse#$, and ea h o$ the" #usted a$ter that whi h was #i9e itse#$% 'hat whi h was out o$ the Birth o$ the dar9 Wor#d, and a#so that whi h was out o$ the Birth o$ the #ight Wor#d, wou#d ea h o$ the" eat o$ the ,imbus o$ the +arth, a ording to its 7unger5 and so +*i# and Good 2e a"e "ani$est in Adam% 4>% :nd when the 7unger o$ the (roperties went into the +arth, $ro" when e the (roperties o$ the Bod! were e6tra ted, then the (iat drew su h a Bran h out o$ the +arth, as the (roperties ou#d eat o$ in their awa9ened 3anit!5 $or this was possi2#e% 4?% .or the 1pirit o$ the strong and great "agi a# (ower o$ 'i"e and +ternit! was in Adam, $ro" whi h the +arth with its (roperties was 2reathed $orth5 and so the (iat, the strong )esire o$ the eterna# Nature, attra ted the +ssen e o$ the +arth% :nd thus God #et the Tree of 'nowledge of $ood and "vil grow $or Adam, a ording to his awa9ened

(roperties5 $or the great (ower o$ the 1ou# and o$ the Bod! aused it% 5@% :nd then -an "ust 2e tried, whether he wou#d stand and su2sist in his own (owers, 2e$ore the 'e"pter the )e*i#, and 2e$ore the Wrath o$ the eterna# Nature5 and whether the 1ou# wou#d ontinue in the eEua# :gree"ent o$ the (roperties in true Resignation under God s 1pirit, as an &nstru"ent o$ God s 7ar"on!, a tuned &nstru"ent o$ di*ine 4o!$u#ness $or the 1pirit o$ God to stri9e upon% 'his was tried 2! that 'ree, and this se*ere Co""and"ent was added, Thou shalt not eat thereof, for on that *ay that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die! 51% But it 2eing 9nown to God that -an wou#d not stand, and that he had a#read! i"agined and #usted a$ter Good and +*i#, God said, It is not good for Man to be alone, we will make him an )elp2meet for him! 52% .or God saw that Adam ou#d not then generate "agi a##!, ha*ing entered with his ,ust into 3anit!% Now there$ore Moses saith, $od caused a deep Sleep to fall upon him, and he slept5 that is, seeing -an wou#d not ontinue in the 02edien e o$ the )i*ine 7ar"on! in the (roperties, su2"itting hi"se#$ to stand sti## as an &nstru"ent o$ the 1pirit o$ God5 there$ore God su$$ered hi" to $a## $ro" the )i*ine 7ar"on! into an 7ar"on! o$ his own, into the awa9ened (roperties o$ +*i# and Good5 the 1pirit o$ his 1ou# went into these% 5;% :nd there in this 1#eep he died $ro" the :nge#i a# Wor#d, and $e## under the (ower o$ the outward (iat, and thus 2ade $arewe## to the +terna# &"age whi h was o$ God s 2egetting% 7ere his :nge#i a# .or" and (ower $e## into a 1woon and #a! on the Ground% 54% :nd then 2! the (iat God "ade the Wo"an out o$ hi", out o$ the Matri o$ 4enus, out o$ that (ropert! wherein Adam had the Begettress in hi"se#$5 and so out o$ one Bod! he "ade two, and di*ided the (roperties o$ the 'in tures, the water! and $ier! Conste##ations in the +#e"ent5 !et not who##! in 1u2stan e 2ut in the 1pirit, the (roperties o$ the water! and $ier! 1ou#% 55% :nd !et it is 2ut one 'hing sti##, on#! the (ropert! o$ the 'in ture was di*ided5 the )esire o$ 1e#$-,o*e was ta9en out o$ Adam, and $or"ed into a Wo"an a ording to his ,i9eness% :nd then e it is that -an now so eager#! desireth the Matri o$ the Wo"an, and the Wo"an desireth the ,imbus o$ the -an, the .ire-+#e"ent, the 0rigina# o$ the true 1ou#, 2! whi h is "eant the 'in ture o$ .ire5 $or these two were one in Adam, and therein onsisted the -agi a# Begetting% 56% :nd as soon as "ve was "ade out o$ Adam in his 1#eep, 2oth Adam and "ve were at that &nstant set and onstituted in the outward natura# ,i$e, ha*ing the -e"2ers gi*en the" $or (ropagation, a$ter the "anner o$ the Brute :ni"a#s, and a#so the $#esh#! Car ase, into whi h the! "ight put their gross +arth#iness, and #i*e #i9e Beasts% 57% 0$ whi h the poor 1ou# that is apti*ated in 3anit! is at this )a! asha"ed5 and sorr! that its Bod! hath gotten su h a 2eastia# "onstrous 1hape% Nothing an 2e #earer than this% .or it is 2e ause -an9ind are asha"ed o$ their -e"2ers and Na9edness, that the! 2orrow their C#othing $ro" the earth#! Creatures% .or this the! wou#d not ha*e done,

had the! not #ost the :nge#i a# .or", and assu"ed that o$ a Beast% 5>% 'his 2orrowed C#othing, together with the awa9ened +arth#iness, and 1u2De tion to the (owers o$ 7eat and Co#d, is a p#ain and $u## (roo$ to -an, that he is not tru#! at 7o"e in this Wor#d% .or a## earth#! :ppetites, Cares, and .ears, together with this $a#se C#othing, "ust perish and 2e se*ered $ro" the 1ou# again% 5?% Now when Adam awo9e $ro" 1#eep, he 2ehe#d his Wi$e, and 9new that she a"e out o$ hi"5 $or he had not !et eaten o$ 3anit! with his outward -outh, 2ut with the &"agination, )esire, and ,ust on#!% 6@% :nd it was the $irst )esire o$ "ve, that she "ight eat o$ the 'ree o$ 3anit!, o$ +*i# and Good, to whi h the )e*i# in the .or" o$ a 1erpent persuaded her, sa!ing, That her "yes should be opened, and she should be as $od himself; whi h was 2oth a ,ie and a 'ruth% 61% But 7e to#d her not, that she shou#d #ose the )i*ine ,ight and (ower there2!8 7e on#! said, her "yes should be opened, that she might taste, prove, and know "vil and $ood, as he had done% Neither did he te## her that 7eat and Co#d wou#d awa9e in her, and that the (ropert! o$ the outward Conste##ations wou#d ha*e great (ower o*er the .#esh and o*er the -ind% 62% 7is on#! :i" was that the :nge#i a# &"age, the 1u2stan e whi h a"e $ro" the inward 1piritua# Wor#d, "ight disappear in the"% .or then the! wou#d 2e onstrained to #i*e in 1u2De tion to the gross +arth#iness, and the Conste##ations or 1tars5 and then he 9new we## enough that when the outward Wor#d perished, the 1ou# wou#d 2e with hi" in )ar9ness% .or he saw that the Bod! "ust die, whi h he per ei*ed 2! that whi h God had inti"ated5 and so he e6pe ted sti## to 2e ,ord to a## +ternit! in the (#a e o$ this Wor#d, in his $a#se 1hape whi h he had gotten5 and there$ore he sedu ed -an% 6;% .or when Adam and "ve were eating the .ruit, +*i#, and Good, into the Bod!, then the &"agination o$ the Bod! re ei*ed 3anit! in the .ruit, and then 3anit! awa9ed in the .#esh, and the dar9 Wor#d got the Bpperhand and )o"inion in the 3anit! o$ the +arth#iness5 upon whi h the $air &"age o$ 7ea*en, that pro eeded out o$ the 7ea*en#! )i*ine Wor#d, instant#! disappeared% 64% 7ere Adam and "ve died to the =ingdo" o$ 7ea*en, and awa9ed to the outward Wor#d, and then the $air 1ou# as it stood in the ,o*e o$ God, disappeared as to the ho#! (ower, 3irtue, and (ropert!5 and instead thereo$, the wrath$u# :nger, the dar9 .ire Wor#d, awo9e in it, and so the 1ou# 2e a"e in one (art, in the inward Nature, a ha#$ )e*i#, and in the outward (art as re#ated to the outward Wor#d, a Beast% 65% 7ere are the Bounds o$ )eath and the Gates o$ 7e##, $or whi h Cause God 2e a"e -an, that he "ight destro! )eath, de$eat the )e*i# s (urpose, and hange 7e## into great ,o*e again% 66% ,et this 2e to#d !ou, <e Chi#dren o$ -en5 it is to#d !ou in the 1ound o$ a 'ru"pet, that !ou shou#d instant#! go $orth $ro" the a2o"ina2#e 3anit!, $or the .ire thereo$

2urneth%

THE THIRD CHAPTER. 1f the lamentable (all of Man, and of the Means of his *eliverance!

N0W when Adam and "ve $e## into this 3anit!, then the Wrath o$ Nature awo9e in
ea h (ropert!, and in or through the )esire i"pressed the 3anit! o$ the +arth#iness and Wrath o$ God into itse#$% 6>% :nd then the .#esh 2e a"e gross and rough, as the .#esh o$ a Beast, and the 1ou# was apti*ated in that +ssen e therewith, and saw that its Bod! was 2e o"e a Beast, and had gotten the Bestia# -e"2ers $or -u#tip#i ation, and the $i#th! Car ase into whi h the )esire wou#d stu$$ the ,oathso"eness whi h it was asha"ed o$ in the (resen e o$ God5 and there$ore Adam and "ve hid the"se#*es under the 'rees o$ the Garden o$ "den% 7eat and Co#d a#so seiFed on the"% 6?% :nd here the 7ea*en in -an tre"2#ed $or 7orror5 as the +arth Eua9ed in Wrath, when this :nger was destro!ed on the Cross 2! the sweet ,o*e o$ God5 there the :nger tre"2#ed 2e$ore the sweet ,o*e o$ God% 7@% :nd $or this 3anit!Cs 1a9e whi h was thus awa9ened in -an, God ursed the +arth5 #est the ho#! +#e"ent shou#d spring or shine $orth an! "ore through the outward .ruit, and 2ring $orth (aradisai a# .ruit% .or there was then no Creature that ou#d ha*e enDo!ed it5 neither was the earth#! -an worth! o$ it an! "ore% 71% God wou#d not ast the pre ious (ear#s 2e$ore Beasts5 an ungod#! -an in his Bod! 2eing 2ut a "ere gross 2eastia# Creature5 and though it 2e o$ a no2#e +ssen e, !et it is who##! poisoned and #oathso"e in the 1ight o$ God% 72% Now when God saw that his $air &"age was spoi#ed, he "ani$ested hi"se#$ to $a##en Adam and "ve, and had (it! on the", and pro"ised hi"se#$ to the" $or an e*er#asting (ossession, and that with his great ,o*e in the re ei*ed 7u"anit! he wou#d destro! the (ower o$ the 1erpentine (ropert!, o$ the 3anit! in the Wrath o$ God awa9ened in the"% :nd this was the breaking of the )ead of the Serpent, whi h he wou#d per$or", he wou#d destro! the dar9 )eath, and su2due the :nger with his great ,o*e% 7;% :nd this Co*enant o$ his &n arnation whi h was to o"e, he put into the ,ight o$ ,i$e5 to whi h Co*enant the 4ewish 1a ri$i es pointed as to a -ar9 or ,imit, to whi h God had pro"ised hi"se#$ with his ,o*e5 $or the .aith o$ the /ews entered into the 1a ri$i es and 0$$erings, and God s &"agination entered into the Co*enant% 74% :nd the 0$$ering was a .igure o$ the Restitution o$ that whi h Adam hath #ost, and so God did e6piate his :nger in the hu"an (ropert!, through the o$$ering in the ,i"it o$ the Co*enant%

75% &n whi h Co*enant the "ost ho#! sweet Na"e 4+1B1, proceeding out o$ the ho#! Na"e and great (ower o$ 4+703:7, had in orporated itse#$5 so that he wou#d again "o*e and "ani$est hi"se#$ in the 1u2stan e o$ the 7ea*en#! Wor#d whi h disappeared in Adam, and 9ind#e the ho#! di*ine ,i$e therein again% 76% 'his -ar9 or ,i"it o$ the Co*enant was propagated $ro" Adam and his Chi#dren, $ro" -an to -an, and did go through $ro" one upon a##, as 1in a#so and the awa9ened 3anit! did go through $ro" one upon a##% 77% :nd it stood in the (ro"ise o$ the Co*enant at the +nd, in the Root o$ *avid in the 3irgin Mary, who was, in the inward =ingdo" o$ the hidden 7u"anit!, ( o$ the +ssentia#it! that disappeared as to the =ingdo" o$ God) the )aughter o$ God s Co*enant, 2ut in the outward a ording to the natura# 7u"anit!, she was 2egotten 2! her true 2odi#! .ather /oachim and her true -other Anna, out o$ the +ssen es and 1u2stan e o$ their 1ou#s and Bodies, #i9e a## other Chi#dren o$ Adam5 a true )aughter o$ "ve% 7>% &n this Mary $ro" the 3irgin ( the &isdom of $od5 in the pro"ised ,i"it o$ the Co*enant, o$ whi h a## the (rophets ha*e prophesied% - the eterna# 1pea9ing Word, whi h reated a## 'hings, did in the .u##ness o$ 'i"e "o*e itse#$ in the Na"e 4+1B1, a ording to its highest and deepest ,o*e and 7u"i#it!, and 2ring again #i*ing, di*ine, and hea*en#! 1u2stantia#it! into the 7u"anit! o$ the hea*en#! (art, whi h disappeared in :da", and $ro" whi h he died in (aradise, into the 1eed o$ Mary, into the 'in ture o$ ,o*e, into that (ropert! wherein Adam shou#d ha*e propagated hi"se#$ in a "agi a# and hea*en#! -anner, into the true 1eed o$ the Wo"an, o$ hea*en#! 1u2stantia#it!, whi h disappeared in (aradise% 7?% :nd when the )i*ine ,ight in the 7ea*en#! +ssen e was e6tinguished, the Word o$ God, the )i*ine (ower o$ the Bnderstanding, did 2ring in 7ea*en#! and #i*ing 1u2stantia#it!, and awa9ened the disappeared 1u2stantia#it! in the 1eed o$ Mary, and 2rought it to ,i$e% >@% :nd so now GodCs 1u2stan e, wherein 7e dwe##eth and wor9eth, and the disappeared 1u2stan e o$ -an, are 2e o"e one (erson5 $or the 7o#! )i*ine 1u2stantia#it! did anoint the disappeared5 there$ore that (erson is a##ed C7R&1'B1, the Anointed of $od% >1% :nd this is the dr! Rod o$ Aaron, whi h 2#osso"ed and 2are :#"onds, and the true 7igh (riest5 and it is that 7u"anit! o$ whi h Christ spa9e, sa!ing, that 7 e was come from )eaven and was in )eaven5 and that no Man could ascend into )eaven but the Son of Man which is come from )eaven, and is in )eaven! >2% Now when he saith, )e is come from )eaven, it is "eant o$ the 7ea*en#! 1u2stan e, the 7ea*en#! Corporea#it!5 $or the (ower and 3irtue o$ God needeth no o"ing any whither, $or it is e*er! where a#together i""easura2#e and undi*ided% But 1u2stan e needeth o"ing5 the (ower or 3irtue needeth to "o*e itse#$, and "ani$est itse#$ in 1u2stan e%

>;% :nd that 1u2stan e entered into the hu"an 1u2stan e, and re ei*ed it5 not that (art on#! o$ 7ea*en#! 1u2stantia#it!, whi h disappeared in Adam, 2ut the who#e hu"an +ssen e in 1ou# and .#esh, a ording to a## the three Wor#ds% >4% But he hath not re ei*ed, or ta9en upon hi"se#$, the awa9ened or i"pressed 3anit!, whi h the )e*i#, 2! his &"agination, 2rought into the .#esh, 2! whi h the .#esh did o""it 1in5 though he hath indeed ta9en upon hi" the awa9ened .or"s o$ ,i$e, as the! were gone $orth $ro" their eEua# :gree"ent, ea h o$ the" into its own )esire% >5% .or therein #a! our &n$ir"it!, and the )eath, whi h 7e was to drown with his 7ea*en#! ho#! B#ood% 7erein he too9 upon hi"se#$ a## our 1ins and &n$ir"ities, a#so )eath and 7e## in the Wrath o$ God, and destro!ed their (ower in the hu"an (roperties% >6% 'he Wrath o$ God was the 7e## into whi h the 1pirit o$ Christ went, when 7e had shed that hea*en#! B#ood into our outward hu"an B#ood, and tin tured it with the ,o*e5 there2! hanging that 7e## o$ the hu"an (ropert! into 7ea*en, and redu ing the hu"an (roperties into eEua# :gree"ent, into the 7ea*en#! 7ar"on!%

THE FOURTH CHAPTER. )ow we are born a2new; and how we may fall into $od6s Anger again!

N0W here we "a! right#! understand what our %ew2Birth, or -egeneration, is5 and
how we "a! 2e o"e, and ontinue to 2e, the 'e"p#e o$ God5 though in this ,i$eCs 'i"e, a ording to the outward 7u"anit!, we are sin$u# "orta# -en% >>% Christ in the hu"an +ssen e hath 2ro9en up and opened the Gates o$ our inward 7ea*en#! 7u"anit!, whi h was shut up in Adam5 so that nothing is now wanting, 2ut that the 1ou# draw its Wi## out o$ the 3anit! o$ the orrupted .#esh, and 2ring it into this open Gate in the 1pirit o$ Christ% >?% Great and strong +arnestness is reEuired here5 and not on#! a #earning and 9nowing, 2ut a rea# 7unger and 'hirst a$ter the 1pirit o$ Christ% .or to 9now on#!, is not .aith5 2ut an 7unger and 'hirst a$ter that whi h & want, so that & draw it in there2! to "!se#$, and #a! ho#d on it with the )esire and &"agination, and, "a9e it "! own5 this is the 'ruth and +ssen e o$ a Christian s .aith% ?@% 'he Wi## "ust go $orth $ro" the 3anit! o$ the .#esh, and wi##ing#! !ie#d itse#$ up to the 1u$$ering and )eath o$ Christ, and to a## the Reproa h o$ 3anit!, whi h derideth it, 2e ause it goeth $orth $ro" its own 7ouse wherein it was 2orn, and regardeth 3anit! no "ore, 2ut "ere#! desireth the ,o*e o$ God in Christ 4esus% ?1% &n su h a 7unger and )esire the Wi## re ei*eth and i"presseth into itse#$ the 1pirit o$ Christ with his 7ea*en#! Corpora#it!5 that is, the 1ou# in its great 7unger and )esire ta9eth ho#d o$, and draweth the Bod! o$ Christ, the 7ea*en#! 1u2stantia#it!, into its disappeared &"age, within whi h the Word o$ the (ower o$ God is the Wor9ing% ?2% 'he 7unger o$ the 1ou# 2ringeth its )esire Euite through the 2ruised (ropert! o$ its

7u"anit! in the 7ea*en#! (art, whi h disappeared in Adam5 whi h 7u"anit!, the sweet .ire o$ ,o*e in the )eath o$ Christ did 2ruise, when the )eath o$ that 7ea*en#! 7u"anit! was destro!ed% ?;% :nd so the 7unger o$ the 1ou# re ei*ed into it, into its disappeared Corpora#it!, through the )esire, the ho#! 7ea*en#! 1u2stan e, Christ s 7ea*en#! Corpora#it!, whi h $i##eth the .ather a## o*er, and is nigh unto a##, and through a## 'hings5 and through that the disappeared 7ea*en#! Bod! riseth in the (ower o$ God, in the sweet Na"e 4+1B%% ?4% :nd this raised 7ea*en#! 1piritua# Bod! is the -e"2er o$ Christ, and the 'e"p#e o$ the 7o#! Ghost, a true -ansion o$ the 7o#! 'rinit!, a ording to Christ s (ro"ise, sa!ing, &e will come to you, and make our Abode in you! ?5% 'he +ssen e o$ that ,i$e eateth the .#esh o$ Christ, and drin9eth his B#ood% .or the 1pirit o$ Christ, the Word, whi h "ade itse#$ *isi2#e with the 7u"anit! o$ Christ out o$, and in our disappeared 7u"anit!, through the outward -an o$ the 1u2stan e o$ this Wor#d, swa##oweth its ho#! 1u2stan e into its $ier!5 $or e*er! 1pirit eateth o$ its own Bod!% ?6% Now i$ the 1ou# eat o$ this sweet, ho#!, and 7ea*en#! .ood, then it 9ind#eth itse#$ with the great ,o*e in the Na"e and (ower o$ 4+1B15 when e its .ire o$ :nguish 2e o"eth a great 'riu"ph o$ 4o! and G#or!, and the true 1un ariseth to it, wherein it is 2orn to another Wi##% ?7% :nd here o"eth to pass the &edding of the ,amb, whi h we hearti#! wish that the titu#ar and ,ip-Christians "ight on e $ind 2! +6perien e in the"se#*es, and so pass $ro" the 7istor! into the 1u2stan e% ?>% But the 1ou# o2taineth not this (ear# o$ the )i*ine Wisdo" and 3irtue $or its own (ropert! during the 'i"e o$ this ,i$e5 2e ause it hath the outward Bestia# .#esh sti 9ing to its outward -an% ??% 'he (ower o$ whi h (ear# o$ )i*ine Wisdo" espouseth itse#$ in this &edding of the ,amb, and sin9eth itse#$ down into the 7ea*en#! &"age, into the 1u2stan e o$ the 7ea*en#! -an, who is the 'e"p#e o$ Christ5 and not into the .ire-Breath o$ the 1ou#, whi h is !et, during this who#e ,i$eCs 'i"e, $ast 2ound to the outward =ingdo", to the Bond o$ 3anit!, with the Breath o$ the :ir, and is in great )anger% 1@@% &t darteth its Bea"s o$ ,o*e indeed *er! o$ten into the 1ou#, where2! the 1ou# re ei*eth ,ight5 2ut the 1pirit o$ Christ !ie#deth not itse#$ up to the .ire-Breath in this ,i$eCs 'i"e, 2ut to the Breath o$ ,ight on#! whi h was e6tinguished in Adam, in whi h the 'e"p#e o$ Christ is, $or that is the true and ho#! 7ea*en% 1@1% Bnderstand aright now, what the %ew2Birth or -egeneration is, and how it o"eth to pass, as $o##oweth% 'he outward earth#! "orta# -an is not 2orn anew in this ,i$eCs 'i"e5 that is, neither the outward .#esh, nor the outward (art o$ the 1ou#% 'he! ontinue 2oth o$ the" in the 3anit! o$ their Wi##s whi h awo9e in Adam% 'he! #o*e their -other, in whose Bod! the! #i*e, the )o"inion o$ this outward Wor#d5 and therein the Birth o$

1in is "ani$est% 1@2% 'he outward -an in 1ou# and .#esh, (we "ean the outward part o$ the 1ou#) hath no )i*ine Wi##, neither doth he understand an! 'hing o$ God, as the 1 ripture saith, The natural Man perceiveth not the Things of the Spirit of $od! 7c! 1@;% But the .ire-Breath o$ the inward Wor#d, i$ it 2e on e en#ightened, understandeth it5 it hath a great ,onging, 1ighing, 7unger, and 'hirst a$ter the sweet .ountain o$ Christ5 it re$resheth itse#$ 2! hungering and desiring, (whi h is the true .aith in) the sweet .ountain o$ Christ $ro" his new Bod!, $ro" the 7ea*en#! 1u2stantia#it!, as a hungr! Bran h in the 3ine Christ% 1@4% :nd the Reason wh! the $ier! 1ou# annot attain to (er$e tion during this ,i$eCs 'i"e, is 2e ause it is $ast 2ound with the outward Bond o$ 3anit!, through whi h the )e*i# ontinua##! asteth his *eno"ous Ra!s o$ &n$#uen e upon it, and so si$teth it, that it o$ten 2iteth at his Bait, and poisoneth itse#$% .ro" when e -iser! and :nguish arise, so that the No2#e Sophia hideth herse#$ in the .ountain o$ Christ, in the 7ea*en#! 7u"anit!5 $or she annot draw near to 3anit!% 1@5% .or she 9new how it went with her in Adam, when she #ost her (ear#, whi h is o$ Gra e $ree#! 2estowed again upon the inward 7u"anit!5 there$ore she is a##ed Sophia, the Bride of #hrist! 1@6% 7ere she $aith$u##! a##eth to her Bridegroo" the $ier! 1ou#, and e6horteth hi" to Repentan e, and to the un2urthening o$ hi"se#$, or going $orth $ro" the :2o"ination o$ 3anit!% 1@7% :nd now War assau#teth the who#e -an% 'he outward $#esh#! -an $ighteth against the inward spiritua# -an, and the spiritua# against the $#esh#!5 and so -an is in ontinua# War$are and 1tri$e, $u## o$ 'rou2#e, -iser!, :nguish, and Care% 1@>% 'he inward 1pirit saith to the $ier! 1ou#8 1 my Soul8 1 my love8 Turn I beseech thee and go forth from 4anity, or else thou loseth my ,ove and the noble .earl! 1@?% 'hen saith the outward Reason, the Beastia# 1ou#5 Thou art foolish; wilt thou be a ,aughing2stock, and the Scorn of the &orld0 Thou needest the outward &orld to maintain this ,ife! Beauty, .ower, and $lory are thy proper )appiness; wherein only thou canst re3oice and take *elight! &hy wilt thou cast thyself into Anguish, Misery, and -eproach0 Take thy .leasure, which will do both thy (lesh and thy Mind good! 11@% With su h .i#th the true -an is o$ten de$i#ed5 that is, the outward -an de$i#eth hi"se#$, as a 1ow in the -ire, and o2s ureth his no2#e (ear#% .or the "ore *ain the outward -an groweth, the "ore dar9 the inward -an o"eth to 2e, unti# at #ength it disappeareth a#together% 111% :nd then the $air (aradisai a# 'ree is gone, and it wi## 2e *er! hard to re o*er it again% .or when the outward ,ight, the outward 1ou# is on e en#ightened, so that the outward ,ight o$ Reason is 9ind#ed 2! the inward ,ight5 then the outward 1ou#

o""on#! useth to turn 7!po rite, and estee" itse#$ )i*ine, e*en though the (ear# 2e gone5 whi h #a"enta2#e +rror sti 9eth hard to "an! a -an% 112% :nd thus it o"es to pass that the 'ree o$ (ear# in the Garden o$ Christ is o$ten spoi#ed5 on erning whi h the 1 ripture "a9eth a hard =not or Con #usion, That those who have once tasted the Sweetness of the &orld to come, and fall away from it again, shall hardly see the 'ingdom of $od! 11;% :nd though it annot 2e denied, 2ut that the Gates o$ Gra e sti## stand open, !et the $a#se and daFF#ing ,ight o$ the outward Reason o$ the 1ou# so de ei*eth and hindereth su h -en, that the! suppose the! ha*e the (ear#, whi#e the! !et #i*e to the 3anit! o$ this Wor#d, and dan e with the )e*i# a$ter his (ipe%

THE FIFTH CHAPTER. )ow a Man may call himself a #hristian, and how not!

H+R+ there$ore a Christian shou#d

onsider wh! he a##eth hi"se#$ a Christian, and e6a"ine tru#! whether he 2e one or not% .or sure#! "! #earning to 9now and on$ess that & a" a 1inner, and that Christ hath destro!ed "! 1ins on the Cross, and shed 7is B#ood $or "e, doth not "a9e "e a Christian% 115% 'he &nheritan e 2e#ongeth on#! to the Chi#dren% : -aid-1er*ant in a 7ouse 9noweth we## enough what the -istress wou#d ha*e to 2e done, and !et that "a9eth her not the 7eiress o$ her -istressCs Goods% 'he *er! )e*i#s 9now that there is a God, !et that doth not hange the" into :nge#s again% But i$ the -aid-1er*ant in the 7ouse sha## 2e "arried to the 1on o$ her -istress, then she "a! o"e to inherit her -istressCs Goods% :nd so it is to 2e understood a#so in the -atter o$ 2eing a Christian% 116% 'he Chi#dren o$ the 7istor! are not the 7eirs o$ the Goods o$ Christ, 2ut the #egiti"ate Chi#dren regenerated by the Spirit of #hrist are the on#! true 7eirs% .or God said to Abraham, #ast out the Son of the Bondwoman, he shall not inherit with the Son of the (ree! .or he was a 1 orner, and 2ut an 7istori a# 1on o$ the .aith and 1pirit o$ Abraham5 and so #ong as he ontinued su h a one, he was not a true &nheritor o$ the .aith o$ Abraham, and there$ore God o""anded he shou#d 2e ast out $ro" inheriting his Goods% 117% 'his was a '!pe o$ the $uture Christendo"% .or the (ro"ise o$ Christendo" was "ade to Abraham8 'here$ore the '!pe was then a#so set $orth 2! two Brethren, Isaac and Ishmael5 $oreshewing 2! the" the di*erse 1tate and -anners o$ Christendo"5 how that two sorts o$ -en wou#d 2e in it, 'rue Christians and ,ip-Christians% Whi h #atter, under the 'it#e or outward (ro$ession o$ Christianit!, wou#d 2e 2ut "o 9ers, as Ishmael was and "sau, who a#so was a '!pe o$ the outward Adam, as /acob was a '!pe o$ Christ, and 7is true Christendo"%

11>% 'hus e*er! one who wi## a## hi"se#$ a Christian, "ust ast out $ro" hi"se#$ the Son of the Bond2&oman, that is, the earth#! Wi##, and 2e e*er"ore 9i##ing and destro!ing it, and not sett#e it in the &nheritan e% 11?% Nor gi*e the (ear# to the Beastia# -an, $or hi" to p#ease and a"use hi"se#$ with in the outward ,ight, in the ,ust o$ the .#esh% But we "ust, with our .ather Abraham 2ring the 1on o$ the right Wi## to -ount Moriah, and 2e read! in 02edien e to God to o$$er it up, e*er in Wi## d!ing $ro" 1in in the )eath o$ Christ, gi*ing no p#a e to the Beast o$ 3anit! in the =ingdo" o$ Christ, nor #etting it grow wanton, proud, o*etous, en*ious, and "a#i ious% .or a## these are the (roperties o$ Ishmael the Son of the Bond2 &oman who" Adam 2egat in his 3anit! on the wanton Whore the $a#se Bond2&oman, 2! the )e*i# s &"agination, out o$ the earth#! (ropert! in .#esh and B#ood% 12@% 'his -o 9er and titu#ar Christian is the 1on o$ the $a#se Bond2&oman, and "ust 2e ast out5 $or he sha## not possess the &nheritan e o$ Christ in the =ingdo" o$ God% 7e is not $it, he is 2ut Babel, a Con$usion o$ that one ,anguage into "an!% 7e is 2ut a 'a#9er and a Wrang#er a2out the &nheritan e5 he "eans to get it to hi"se#$ 2! 'a#9ing and Wrang#ing, 2! the 7!po ris! o$ his ,ips and see"ing 7o#iness, a#though in his 7eart he is no 2etter than a 2#ood-thirst! -urderer o$ his 2rother Abel, who is the right 7eir% 121% 'here$ore we sa! what we 9now, that he that wi## a## hi"se#$ a true Christian "ust tr! hi"se#$, and $ind what =ind o$ (roperties dri*e and ru#e hi", whether the 1pirit o$ Christ "o*eth hi" to 'ruth and Righteousness, and to the ,o*e o$ his Neigh2our, so that he wou#d wi##ing#! do what is right i$ he 9new 2ut how% 122% Now i$ he $ind that he hath a rea# 7unger a$ter su h 3irtue, then he "a! Dust#! thin9 that he is drawn% :nd then he "ust 2egin to pra tise a ording#!, and not 2e ontent with a Wi## on#!, without )oing% 'he drawing o$ the .ather to Christ onsisteth in the Wi##, 2ut the true ,i$e onsisteth in the )oing5 $or the right 1pirit doeth that whi h is right% 12;% But i$ there 2e the Wi## to do, and !et the )oing $o##oweth not, then the true -an is sti## shut up in *ain ,ust, whi h suppresseth the )oing% :nd there$ore su h a one is 2ut an 7!po rite and an Ishmaelite5 he spea9eth one 'hing and doth another, and witnesseth there2! that his -outh is a ,!ar5 $or he hi"se#$ doth not that whi h he tea heth, and onseEuent#! on#! ser*eth the Beastia# -an in 3anit!% 124% .or he that wi## sa!, I have a &ill, and would willingly do $ood, but the earthly (lesh which I carry about me, keepeth me back, so that I cannot; yet I shall be saved by $race, for the Merits of #hrist! I comfort myself with )is Merit and Sufferings; who will receive me of mere $race, without any Merits of my own, and forgive me my Sins % 1u h a one, & sa!, is #i9e a -an that 9noweth what .ood is good $or his 7ea#th, !et wi## not eat o$ it, 2ut eateth (oison instead thereo$, $ro" when e 1i 9ness and )eath, wi## ertain#! $o##ow% 125% .or what good doth it to the 1ou# to 9now the Wa! to God, i$ it wi## not wa#9 therein, 2ut go on in a ontrar! (athA What good wi## it do the 1ou# to o"$ort itse#$ with the .i#iation o$ Christ, with 7is (assion and )eath, and so $#atter itse#$ with the

7opes o$ getting the (atri"on! there2!, i$ it wi## not enter into the .i#ia# Birth, that it "a! 2e a true Chi#d, 2orn out o$ the 1pirit o$ Christ, out o$ 7is 1u$$ering, )eath and Resurre tionA 1ure#!, the ti 9#ing and $#attering itse#$ with ChristCs -erits, without the true innate Chi#dship, is .a#sehood and a ,ie, whosoe*er he 2e that tea heth it% 126% 'his Co"$ort 2e#ongeth on#! to the penitent 1inner, who stri*eth against 1in and the :nger o$ God% When 'e"ptations o"e, and the )e*i# assau#teth su h a poor repentant 1ou#, then it "ust who##! wrap itse#$ up in the -erits and )eath o$ Christ, as its so#e :r"our o$ )e$en e% 127% Christ a#one indeed hath "erited Rede"ption $or us5 2ut not in su h a Wa! as that $or 7is own proper -erit s 1a9e, he wi## $ree#! grant us his Chi#dship 2! an outward :doption on#!, and so re ei*e us $or Chi#dren, when we are none% No,% he hi"se#$ is the -erit5 he is the open Gate that #eadeth through )eath5 and through that Gate we "ust enter% 7e re ei*eth no Beast into his -erit, 2ut those on#! that turn, and 2e o"e as Chi#dren% 'hose Chi#dren that thus o"e to hi" are his Reward, whi h he hath "erited% 12>% .or thus he said, (ather, the Men were thine and thou hast given them to me (as "! Reward) and I will give them eternal ,ife% But the ,i$e o$ Christ wi## 2e gi*en to none, un#ess the! o"e to hi" in his 1pirit, into his 7u"anit!, 1u$$erings, and -erit, and therein 2e 2orn true Chi#dren o$ the -erit% 12?% We "ust 2e 2orn o$ his -erit, and put on the -erit o$ Christ in his (assion and )eath5 not outward#! with *er2a# .#atter! on#!, and 2are o"$orting o$ ourse#*es therewith, whi#e we sti## re"ain :#iens and strange Chi#dren, o$ a strange +ssen e or Nature% No5 the strange +ssen e inheriteth not the Chi#dship, 2ut the innate +ssen e inheriteth it% 1;@% 'his innate +ssen e is not o$ this Wor#d, 2ut in 7ea*en, o$ whi h 1t (au# spea9eth sa!ing, 1ur #onversation is in )eaven% 'he $i#ia# +ssen e wa#9eth in 7ea*en, and 7ea*en is in -an% 1;1% But i$ 7ea*en in -an 2e not open, and the -an stand without 7ea*en $#attering hi"se#$, and sa!, I am still without, but #hrist will take me in through his $race; is not his Merit mine0 1u h a one is in 3anit! and 1in with the outward -an, and with the 1ou# in 7e##, in the :nger o$ God% 1;2% 'here$ore #earn to understand right#! what Christ hath taught us, and done $or us% 7e is our 7ea*en5 he "ust get a .or" in us, or e#se we sha## not 2e in 7ea*en% 'hus then the 1ou#Cs inward -an, with the ho#! Bod! o$ Christ, in the %ew Birth, is in 7ea*en, and the outward "orta# -an is in the Wor#d, o$ whi h Christ spa9e sa!ing, My Sheep are in my )and, and none shall pluck them away; the (ather which gave them to me is greater than all%

THE SIXTH CHAPTER.

1f the right and of the wrong going to #hurch, receiving the Sacraments, and Absolution!

B+,03+) Brethren, we wi## tea h !ou $aith$u##!, not with $#attering ,ips to p#ease the
:nti hrist, 2ut $ro" our (ear#, the 3irtue, (ower, and 1pirit o$ Christ in us, $ro" a Christian +ssen e and =now#edge5 not $ro" the 7us9 and 7istor!, 2ut $ro" a New-2orn 1pirit, $ro" ChristCs =now#edge, as a Bran h growing on the 3ine Christ5 $ro" the -easure o$ that =now#edge whi h is opened in us, a ording to the Wi## and Counse# o$ God% 1;4% -en tie us in these )a!s to the 7istor!, and to the "ateria# Chur hes o$ 1tone5 whi h Chur hes are indeed good in their =ind, i$ -en did a#so 2ring the 'e"p#e o$ Christ into the"% 'he! tea h "oreo*er, that their :2so#ution is a .orgi*ing o$ 1ins, and that the 1upper o$ the ,ord ta9eth awa! 1in8 :#so that the 1pirit o$ God o"eth into -en through their -inistr!% :## whi h hath a proper -eaning, i$ it was right#! understood5 and i$ -en did not #ea*e "ere#! to the 7us9% 1;5% -an! a -an goeth to Chur h twent! or thirt! <ears, heareth 1er"ons, re ei*eth the 1a ra"ents, and heareth :2so#ution read or de #ared, and !et is as "u h a Beast o$ the )e*i# and 3anit! at the #ast as at the $irst% : Beast goeth into the Chur h, and to the 1upper, and a Beast o"eth out $ro" then e again% 1;6% 7ow wi## he eat that hath no -outhA Can an! -an eat that .ood whi h is so shut up that he annot get itA 7ow wi## he drin9 that an o"e at no WaterA 0r how wi## he hear that hath no 7earingA 1;7% What good +nd doth it answer, $or "e to go to the "ateria# Chur hes o$ 1tone, and there $i## "! +ars with e"pt! BreathA or to go to the 1upper, and $eed nothing 2ut the earth#! -outh, whi h is "orta# and orrupti2#eA Cannot & $eed and satis$! that with a (ie e o$ Bread at 7o"eA What good doth it to the 1ou#, whi h is an i""orta# ,i$e, to ha*e the Beastia# -an o2ser*e the .or", and *enerate the 1he## o$ Christ s &nstitution, i$ it annot o2tain the =erne# thereo$A .or 1t .aul saith o$ the 1upper, - 9ou receive it to #ondemnation, because ye discern not the ,ord6s Body! 1;>% 'he Co*enant stands $ir", and is stirred in the Bse o$ the &nstitution% Christ pro$$ereth his 1pirit to us in 7is Word ( in his prea hed Word) and 7is Bod! and B#ood in the 1a ra"ent, and 7is :2so#ution in a 2rother#! Re on i#iation one to another% 1;?% But what good doth it in a Beast to stand and #isten, who hath no 7earing to re ei*e the inward #i*ing Word, nor an! Ground wherein to #a! the Word, that it "a! 2ring $orth .ruitA 0$ su h Christ saith, The *evil plucketh the &ord out of their )earts, lest they should believe and be saved! But how an he do soA Be ause the Word $indeth no (#a e in the hearing -ind to ta9e Root in% 14@% :nd thus it is with :2so#ution a#so8 What Bene$it is it to "e $or one to sa!, I pronounce or declare to thee the (orgiveness of thy Sins, when "! 1ou# is who##! shut up in 1inA Whosoe*er saith thus to a 1inner so shut up, erreth5 and he that re ei*eth it without the 3oi e o$ God within hi"se#$ on$ir"ing the sa"e, de ei*eth hi"se#$% None

an $orgi*e 1ins 2ut God on#!% 141% 'he (rea her hath not .orgi*eness o$ 1ins in his own (ower5 2ut it is the 1pirit o$ Christ in the 3oi e o$ the (riest that hath the (ower, pro*ided the (riest hi"se#$ is a Christian% 142% What good did it to those that heard Christ hi"se#$ tea hing on +arth, when he said, #ome unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you -est 0 What good did this 2#essed (ro"ise to those that heard it, i$ the! #a2oured not, nor were hea*! #adenA What 2e a"e o$ the Re$resh"ent or Rest thenA 1eeing the! had dead +ars, and heard on#! the outward Christ, and not the Word o$ the )i*ine (ower5 ertain#! the! were not re$reshed% 4ust so "u h good the Beastia# -an hath o$ his :2so#ution and 1a ra"ents% 14;% 'he Co*enant is open in the 1a ra"ents5 and in the 0$$i e or -inistr! o$ tea hing a#so the Co*enant is stirred5 the 1ou# doth re ei*e it, 2ut in that (ropert! on#! o$ whi h the -outh o$ the 1ou# is% 144% 'hat is, the outward Beast re ei*eth Bread and Wine, whi h it "a! ha*e as we## at 7o"e% :nd the $ier! 1ou# re ei*eth the 'esta"ent a ording to its (ropert!, in the :nger o$ God it re ei*eth the 1u2stan e o$ the eterna# Wor#d, 2ut a ording to the (ropert! o$ the dar9 Wor#d5 it re ei*eth there$ore, as the 1 ripture saith, to its own /udgement or #ondemnation% .or as the -outh is, so is the .ood whi h is ta9en in 2! the -outh% :nd a$ter this -anner a#so it is that the Wi 9ed sha## 2eho#d Christ at the #ast 4udge"ent as a se*ere 4udge5 2ut the 1aints sha## 2eho#d hi" as a #o*ing Immanuel% 145% God s :nger standeth open in his 'esta"ents towards the Wi 9ed5 2ut towards the 1aints the hea*en#! #o*ing =indness, and in it the (ower o$ Christ in the ho#! Na"e 4+1B1, standeth open% What good then doth the ho#! 'hing do to the Wi 9ed, who annot enDo! itA 0r what is there, that an ta9e awa! his 1ins, when his 1in is on#! stirred and "ade "ani$est there2!A 146% 'he 1a ra"ents do not ta9e awa! 1in5 neither are 1ins $orgi*en there2!% But it is thus8 When Christ ariseth, then Adam d!eth in the +ssen e o$ the 1erpent5 as when the 1un riseth, the Night is swa##owed up in the )a!, and the Night is no "ore8 4ust so are 1ins $orgi*en% 147% 'he 1pirit o$ Christ eateth o$ his 7o#! 1u2stan e, the inward -an is the Re ei*er o$ the 7o#! 1u2stan e5 he re ei*eth what the 1pirit o$ Christ 2ringeth into hi" the 'e"p#e o$ God, Christ s .#esh and B#ood% But what doth this on ern a BeastA 0r what doth it on ern the )e*i#sA 0r the 1ou# that is in the :nger o$ GodA 'hese eat o$ the 7ea*en#! B#ood, that is in the 7ea*en wherein the! dwe##, whi h is the :2!ss, or 2otto"#ess (it% 14>% :nd thus it is a#so in the 0$$i e or -inistr! o$ (rea hing8 'he ungod#! -an heareth what the outward 1ou# o$ the outward Wor#d prea heth5 that he re ei*eth, the 7istor!5 and i$ there 2e 1traw or 1tu22#e in that whi h is taught, he su 9eth the 3anit! out o$ that% <ea, i$ the (rea hing 2e "ere Ca#u"n!, Rai#ing, and un harita2#e :2use, as is

so"eti"es the Case, then his 1ou# su 9eth the *eno"ous (oison, and the "urdering Crue#t! o$ the )e*i# $ro" it, wherewith it ti 9#eth itse#$, and is p#eased with #earning how to Dudge and onde"n others% 14?% 'hus i$ the (rea her 2e one that is dead, and hath no true ,ife in him , 2ut soweth on#! 3eno" and Reproa h pro eeding out o$ his e*i# :$$e tions, then it is the )e*i# that tea heth, and the )e*i# that heareth% 1u h tea hing is re ei*ed into a wi 9ed heart, and 2ringeth $orth wi 9ed .ruits% B! whi h -eans the Wor#d is 2e o"e a "ere )en o$ "urdering )e*i#s% 1o that i$ !ou #oo9 a"ong the 7erd o$ su h 'ea hers and 7earers, there is #itt#e to 2e $ound 2ut Re*i#ings, 1#anderings, and Reproa hings5 together with Contention a2out Words, and Wrang#ing a2out the 7us9% 15@% But the 7o#! Ghost tea heth in the ho#! 'ea hers, and the 1pirit o$ Christ heareth through the 1ou#, whi h is the )i*ine 7ouse o$ the )i*ine 1ound or 4oice in the ho#! 7earer% 151% 'he ho#! -an hath his Chur h in hi"se#$, wherein he heareth and tea heth% But Babel hath a 7eap o$ 1tones, into whi h she goeth with her see"ing 7o#iness and rea# 7!po ris!% 'here she #o*ed to 2e seen in $ine C#othes, and "a9eth a *er! de*out and god#! 1hew5 the Chur h o$ 1tone is her God, in whi h she putteth her Con$iden e% 152% But the ho#! -an hath his Chur h a2out hi" e*er! where, e*en in hi"se#$5 $or he a#wa!s standeth and wa#9eth, sitteth and #!eth down in his Chur h% 7e #i*eth in the true Christian Chur h5 !ea, in the 'e"p#e o$ Christ% 'he 7o#! Ghost prea heth to hi" out o$ e*er! Creature% Whatsoe*er he #oo9eth upon, he seeth a (rea her o$ God therein% 15;% 7ere now the 1 o$$er wi## sa! that & despise the Chur h 0$ 1tone, where the Congregation "eeteth5 2ut & sa! that & do not% .or & do 2ut dis o*er the h!po riti a# Whore o$ Babylon, whi h o""itteth Whoredo" with the Chur h o$ 1tone, and ter"eth herse#$ a Christian, 2ut is indeed a 1tru"pet% 154% : true Christian 2rings his ho#! Chur h with hi" into the Congregation% .or the 7eart is the true Chur h, where a -an "ust pra tise the 1er*i e o$ God% &$ & shou#d go a thousand 'i"es to Chur h, and to the 1a ra"ent e*er! Wee9, and hear :2so#ution de #ared to "e e*er! )a!, and ha*e not Christ in "e, a## wou#d 2e $a#se, an unpro$ita2#e .i tion and gra*en &"age in Babel, and no $orgi*ing o$ 1ins% 155% : ho#! -an doth ho#! Wor9s $ro" the ho#! 1trength o$ his -ind% 'he Wor9 is not the :tone"ent o$ Re on i#iation, 2ut it is the Bui#ding whi h the true 1pirit 2ui#deth in his 1u2stan e5 it is his 7a2itation% But the .i tion and .an ! is the 7a2itation o$ the $a#se Christian, into whi h his 1ou# entereth with )issi"u#ation% 'he outward 7earing rea heth 2ut to the outward, and wor9eth in the outward on#!5 2ut the inward 7earing goeth into the inward, and wor9eth in the inward% 156% )isse"2#e, roar, r!, sing, prea h, and tea h as "u h as thou wi#t5 !et i$ thine inward 'ea her and 7earer 2e not open, a## is nothing 2ut a Babel a .i tion, and a gra*en &"age, where2! the 1pirit o$ the outward Wor#d doth "ode# and "a9e to itse#$ a gra*en &"age in Rese"2#an e o$ the inward5 and "a9eth a 7o#! 1hew therewith, as i$

he per$or"ed so"e di*ine or ho#! 1er*i e to God5 whereas "an! 'i"es in su h 1er*i e and Worship, the )e*i# wor9eth "ighti#! in the &"agination, and *er! "u h ti 9#eth the 7eart with those 'hings wherein the .#esh de#ighteth% Whi h indeed not se#do" happeneth to the Chi#dren o$ God, as to their outward -an, i$ the! do not ta9e great 7eed to the"se#*es5 so 2usi#! doth the )e*i# 2eset and si$t the"%

THE SEVENTH CHAPTER.

1f unfprofitable 1pinions, and Strife about the ,etter!

A true Christian, who is 2orn a-new o$ the 1pirit o$ Christ, is in the 1i"p#i it! o$
Christ, and hath no 1tri$e or Contention with an! -an a2out Re#igion% 7e hath 1tri$e enough in hi"se#$, with his own Beastia# e*i# .#esh and B#ood% 7e ontinua##! thin9eth hi"se#$ a great 1inner, and is a$raid o$ God8 But the ,o*e o$ Christ 2! degrees pier eth through, and e6pe##eth that .ear, as the )a! swa##oweth up the Night% 15?% But the 1ins o$ the i"penitent -an rest in the 1#eep o$ )eath, 2ud $orth in the (it, and produ e their .ruit in 7e##% 16@% 'he Christiando" that is in Babel, stri*ing a2out the -anner how -en ought to ser*e God, and g#ori$! hi"5 a#so how the! are to 9now hi", and what he is in his +ssen e and Wi##% :nd the! prea h positi*e#!, that whosoe*er is not one and the sa"e with the" in e*er! (arti u#ar o$ =now#edge and 0pinion, is no Christian, 2ut a 7ereti 9% 161% Now & wou#d $ain see how a## their 1e ts an 2e 2rought to agree in that one whi h "ight 2e a##ed a true Christian Chur h5 when a## o$ the" are 1 orners, e*er! (art! o$ the" re*i#ing the rest, and pro #ai"ing the" to 2e $a#se% 162% But a Christian is o$ no 1e t8 7e an dwe## in the "idst o$ 1e ts, and appear in their 1er*i es, without 2eing atta hed or 2ound to an!% 7e hath 2ut one =now#edge, and that is, #hrist in him! 7e see9eth 2ut one Wa!, whi h is the )esire a#wa!s to do and tea h that whi h is right5 and he putteth a## his 9nowing and wi##ing into the ,i$e o$ Christ% 16;% 7e sigheth and wisheth ontinua##! that the Wi## o$ God "ight 2e done in hi", and that his =ingdo" "ight 2e "ani$ested in hi"% 7e dai#! and hour#! 9i##eth 1in in the .#esh5 $or the Seed of the &oman, the inward Man in #hrist, ontinua##! breaketh the )ead of the Serpent, that is, the (ower o$ the )e*i#, whi h is in 3anit!% 164% 7is .aith is a )esire a$ter God and Goodness5 whi h he wrappeth up in a sure 7ope, trusting to the Words o$ the (ro"ise, and #i*eth and dieth therein5 though as to the true Man, he ne*er dieth% 165% .or Christ saith, &hosoever believeth in me, shall never die, but hath pierced through from *eath to ,ife; and -ivers of living &ater shall flow from him, good

)o trine and Wor9s% 166% 'here$ore & sa!, that whatsoe*er $ighteth and ontendeth a2out the ,etter, is a## Babel% 'he ,etters o$ the Word pro eed $ro", and stand a## in, one Root, whi h is the 1pirit o$ God5 as the *arious .#owers stand a## in the +arth and grow a2out one another% 'he! $ight not with ea h other a2out their )i$$eren e o$ Co#our, 1"e##, and 'aste, 2ut su$$er the +arth, the 1un, the Rain, the Wind, the 7eat and Co#d, to do with the" as the! p#ease5 and !et e*er! one o$ the" groweth in its own pe u#iar +ssen e and (ropert!% 167% +*en so it is with the Chi#dren o$ God5 the! ha*e *arious Gi$ts and )egrees o$ =now#edge, !et a## $ro" one 1pirit% 'he! a## reDoi e at the great Wonders o$ God, and gi*e 'han9s to the "ost 7igh in 7is Wisdo"% Wh! then shou#d the! ontend a2out hi" in whom they live and have their Being, and o$ whose 1u2stan e the! the"se#*es areA 16>% &t is the greatest .o##! that is in Babel $or (eop#e to stri*e a2out Re#igion, as the )e*i# hath "ade the Wor#d to do5 so that the! ontend *ehe"ent#! a2out 0pinions o$ their own $orging, a2out the ,etter5 when the =ingdo" o$ God onsisteth in no 0pinion, 2ut in (ower and ,o*e% 16?% :s Christ said to his )is ip#es, and #e$t it with the" at the #ast, sa!ing, ,ove one another, as I have loved you; for thereby Men shall know, that ye are my *isciples! &$ -en wou#d as $er*ent#! see9 a$ter ,o*e and Righteousness as the! do a$ter 0pinions, there wou#d 2e no 1tri$e on +arth, and we shou#d 2e as Chi#dren o$ 0ne .ather, and shou#d need no ,aw, or 0rdinan e% 17@% .or God is not ser*ed 2! an! ,aw, 2ut on#! 2! 02edien e% ,aws are $or the Wi 9ed, who wi## not e"2ra e ,o*e and Righteousness5 the! are, and "ust 2e, o"pe##ed and $or ed 2! ,aws% 171% We a## ha*e 2ut one on#! 0rder, ,aw, or 0rdinan e, whi h is to stand sti## to the ,ord o$ a## Beings, and resign our Wi##s up to hi", and su$$er 7is 1pirit to p#a! what -usi 9 he wi##% :nd thus we gi*e to hi" again as 7is own .ruits, that whi h he wor9eth and "ani$esteth in us% 172% Now i$ we did not ontend a2out our di$$erent .ruits, Gi$ts, =inds and )egrees o$ =now#edge, 2ut did a 9now#edge the" in one another, #i9e Chi#dren o$ the 1pirit o$ God, what ou#d onde"n usA .or the =ingdo" o$ God onsisteth, not in our 9nowing and supposing, 2ut in (ower% 17;% &$ we did not 9now ha#$ so "u h, and were "ore #i9e Chi#dren, and had 2ut a 2rother#! -ind and good Wi##, towards one another, and #i*ed #i9e Chi#dren o$ one -other, and as Bran hes o$ one 'ree, ta9ing our 1ap a## $ro" one Root, we shou#d 2e $ar "ore ho#! than we are% 174% =now#edge ser*es on#! to this +nd, to 9now that we ha*e #ost the )i*ine (ower, in :da", and are 2e o"e now in #ined to 1in5 that we ha*e e*i# (roperties in us, and that doing +*i# p#easeth not God5 so that with our 9now#edge we "ight #earn to do right% Now i$ we ha*e the (ower o$ God in us, and desire with a## our 7earts to a t and to #i*e

aright, then our =now#edge is 2ut our 1port, or -atter o$ (#easure, wherein we reDoi e% 175% .or true =now#edge is the -ani$estation o$ the 1pirit o$ God through the +terna# Wisdo"% 7e 9noweth what 7e wi## in 7is Chi#dren5 7e showeth his Wisdo" and Wonders 2! his Chi#dren, as the +arth putteth $orth its *arious .#owers% 176% Now i$ we dwe## one with another, #i9e hu"2#e Chi#dren, in the 1pirit o$ Christ, one reDoi ing at the Gi$t and =now#edge o$ another, who wou#d Dudge or onde"n usA Who Dudgeth or onde"neth the Birds in the Woods, that praise the ,ord o$ a## Beings with *arious 3oi es, e*er! one in its own +ssen eA )oth the 1pirit o$ God repro*e the" $or not 2ringing their 3oi es into one 7ar"on!A )oth not the -e#od! o$ the" a## pro eed $ro" 7is power, and do the! not sport 2e$ore 7i"% 177% 'hose -en there$ore that stri*e and wrang#e a2out the =now#edge and Wi## o$ God, and despise one another on that : ount, are "ore $oo#ish than the Birds in the Woods, and the wi#d Beasts that ha*e no true Bnderstanding% 'he! are "ore unpro$ita2#e in the 1ight o$ the ho#! God than the .#owers o$ the .ie#d, whi h stand sti## in Euiet 1u2"ission to the 1pirit o$ God, and su$$er hi" to "ani$est the )i*ine Wisdo" and (ower through the"% <ea, su h -en are worse than 'hist#es and 'horns that grow a"ong $air .#owers, $or the! at #east stand sti## and are Euiet, whereas those Wrang#ers are #i9e the ra*enous Beasts and Birds o$ (re!, whi h $right the other Birds $ro" singing and praising God% 17>% &n short5 the! are the &ssue, Bran hes or 1prouts o$ the )e*i# in the :nger o$ God, who, notwithstanding "ust 2! their *er! tor"enting 2e "ade to ser*e the ,ord5 $or 2! their p#aguing and perse uting, the! press out the 1ap through the +ssen e in the Chi#dren o$ God, so that the! "o*e and stir the"se#*es in the 1pirit o$ God, with pra!ing and ontinua# sighing, in whi h +6er ise o$ their (owers the 1pirit o$ God "o*eth hi"se#$ in the"% 17?% .or there2! the )esire is e6erted, and so the Chi#dren o$ God grow green, $#ourish, and 2ring $orth .ruit5 $or the Chi#dren o$ God are "ani$ested in 'ri2u#ation5 as the 1 ripture saith, &hen thou chastiseth them, they cry fervently to thee!

THE EIGHTH CHAPTER.

&herein #hristian -eligion consisteth; and how Men should serve $od and their Brethren!

A,, Christian Re#igion who##!

onsisteth in this, to #earn to know ourselves5 when e we are o"e, and what we are5 how we are gone $orth $ro" the Bnit! into )issension, Wi 9edness, and Bnrighteousness5 how we ha*e awa9ened and stirred up these +*i#s in us5 and how we "a! 2e de#i*ered $ro" the" again, and re o*er our origina# B#essedness% 1>1% (irst, how we were in the Bnit!, when we were the Chi#dren o$ God in Adam

2e$ore he $e##% Secondly, how we are now in )issension and )isunion, in 1tri$e and Contrariet!% Thirdly, Whither we go when we pass out o$ this orrupti2#e Condition5 whither with the i""orta#, and whither with the "orta# (art% 1>2% :nd ,astly, how we "a! o"e $orth $ro" )is-union and 3anit!, and enter again into that one 'ree, Christ in us, out o$ whi h we a## sprung in Adam% &n these $our (oints a## the ne essar! =now#edge o$ a Christian onsisteth% 1>;%1o that we need not stri*e a2out an! 'hing5 we ha*e no Cause o$ Contention with ea h other% ,et e*er! one on#! e6er ise hi"se#$ in #earning ahow he "a! enter again into the ,o*e o$ God and his Brother% 1>4% 'he 'esta"ents o$ Christ are nothing e#se 2ut a #o*ing Bond or 2rother#! Co*enant, wherewith God in Christ 2indeth hi"se#$ to us and us to hi"% :## tea hing, wi##ing, #i*ing, and doing, "ust i"p#!, ai" at, and re$er to that% :## tea hing and doing otherwise, whatsoe*er it 2e, is Babel and a .i tion5 a "ere gra*en &"age o$ (ride in unpro$ita2#e 4udgings, a distur2ing o$ the Wor#d, and an 7!po ris! o$ the )e*i#, wherewith he 2#indeth 1i"p#i it!% 1>5% +*er! (rea her *oid o$ the 1pirit o$ God, who without )i*ine =now#edge, setteth hi"se#$ up $or a 'ea her o$ )i*ine 'hings, pretending to ser*e God there2!, is $a#se, and doth 2ut ser*e the Be##!, his &do#, and his own proud inso#ent -ind, in desiring to 2e honoured on that : ount, and estee"ed 7o#!, or a *ivine in )oly 1rders! 7e 2eareth an 0$$i e, to whi h he is set apart and hosen 2! the Chi#dren o$ -en, who do 2ut $#atter hi", and $or .a*our ha*e ordained hi" thereunto% 1>6% Christ said, &hosoever entereth not by the *oor, that is, through his 1pirit, into the Sheepfold, but climbeth up some other &ay, the same is a Thief and a Murderer, and the Sheep follow him not, for they know not his 4oice! 1>7% 7e hath not the 3oi e o$ the 1pirit o$ God, 2ut the 3oi e o$ his own :rt and ,earning on#!5 the -an tea heth, and not the 1pirit o$ God% But Christ saith, "very .lant which my )eavenly (ather hath not planted, shall be plucked up by the -oots! 1>>% 7ow then wi## he that is ungod#! p#ant 7ea*en#! (#ants, when he hath no 1eed a#i*e in its (ower in hi"se#$A Christ saith e6press#!, The Sheep hear not his 4oice, they follow him not! 1>?% 'he written Word is 2ut an &nstru"ent where2! the 1pirit #eadeth us to itse#$ within us% 'hat Word whi h wi## tea h, "ust 2e #i*ing in the #itera# Word% 'he 1pirit o$ God "ust 2e in the #itera# 1ound, or e#se none is a 'ea her o$ God, 2ut a "ere 'ea her o$ the ,etter, a =nower o$ the 7istor!, and not o$ the 1pirit o$ God in Christ% 1?@% :## that -en wi## ser*e God with, "ust 2e done in .aith, in the 1pirit% &t is the 1pirit that "a9eth the Wor9 per$e t, and a epta2#e in the 1ight o$ God% :## that a -an underta9eth and doeth in .aith, he doth in the 1pirit o$ God, whi h 1pirit o$ God doth ooperate in the Wor9, and then it is a epta2#e to God% .or he hath done it hi"se#$, and his (ower and 3irtue is in it8 &t is ho#!%

1?1% But whatsoe*er is done in Self, without .aith, is 2ut a .igure and 1he##, or 7us9 o$ a true Christian Wor9% 1?2% &$ thou ser*est th! 2rother, and doest it 2ut in 7!po ris!, and gi*est hi" unwi##ing#!, then thou ser*est not God% .or th! .aith pro eedeth not $ro" ,o*e, nor entereth into 7ope, in th! Gi$t% &ndeed thou ser*est th! Brother, and he $or his (art than9eth God and 2#esseth thee, 2ut thou 2#essest not hi"% .or thou gi*est hi" th! Gi$t with a grudging 1pirit, whi h entereth not into the 1pirit o$ God, into the 7ope o$ .aith5 there$ore th! Gi$t is 2ut ha#$ gi*en, and thou hast 2ut ha#$ th! Reward $or it% 1?;% 'he sa"e is true o$ re ei*ing a Gi$t% &$ an! gi*eth in .aith, in )i*ine 7ope, he 2#esseth his Gi$t 2! his .aith8 But whoso re ei*eth it unthan9$u##!, and "ur"ureth in his 1pirit, he urseth it in the Bse or +nDo!"ent o$ it% 'hus it is, that e*er! one sha## ha*e his own5 &hatsoever he soweth, that shall he also reap! 1?4% 1o #i9ewise it is in the 0$$i e o$ tea hing5 whatsoever a Man soweth, that also he reapeth% .or i$ an! -an sow good 1eed $ro" the 1pirit o$ Christ, it sti 9eth in the good 7eart, and 2ringeth $orth good .ruit5 2ut in the Wi 9ed, who are not apa2#e o$ re ei*ing the good 1eed, the :nger o$ God is stirred% 1?5% &$ an! sow Contentions, Reproa hes, and -is onstru tions, a## ungod#! (eop#e re ei*e that unto the"5 whi h sti 9eth in the" a#so, and 2ringeth $orth .ruit a ording#!% 1o that the! #earn there2! to despise, re*i#e, s#ander, and "isrepresent one another% 0ut o$ whi h Root the great Babel is sprung and grown5 wherein -en, $ro" "ere (ride and 1tri$e, ontend a2out the 7istor!, and the 4usti$i ation o$ a poor 1inner in the 1ight o$ God5 there2! ausing the si"p#e to err and 2#asphe"e, inso"u h that one Brother re*i#eth and urseth the other, and e6 o""uni ateth, or asteth hi" to the )e*i#, $or the 1a9e o$ the 7istor! and ,etter% 1?6% 1u h Rai#ers and Re*i#ers $ear not God, 2ut raise the great Bui#ding o$ )issension% :nd seeing orrupt ,ust #ieth in a## -en, in the earth#! .#esh sti##, there$ore the! raise and awa9en :2o"inations e*en in the si"p#e Chi#dren o$ God, and "a9e the (eop#e o$ God, as we## as the Chi#dren o$ &niEuit!, to 2#asphe"e% :nd thus the! 2e o"e -asterBui#ders o$ the great Babel o$ the Wor#d, and are as use$u# in the Chur h, as a fifth &heel in a &aggon5 !ea, what is worse than that, the! ere t the he##ish Bui#ding too% 1?7% 'here$ore it is high#! ne essar! $or the Chi#dren o$ God to pra! earnest#!, that the! "a! #earn to 9now this $a#se Bui#ding, and go $orth $ro" it with their -inds, and not he#p to 2ui#d it up, and perse ute their .e##ow-Chi#dren o$ God% .or 2! that -eans the! 9eep the"se#*es 2a 9 $ro" the 7ea*en#! =ingdo", and turn aside $ro" the right Wa!% 1?>% : ording to the sa!ing o$ Christ to the (harisees, &oe unto you .harisees; for you compass Sea and ,and to make one .roselyte, and when he is one, you make him two2fold more the #hild of )ell than yourselves% Whi h is tru#! too "u h the Case with the "odern .a tions and 1e ts a"ong these Cr!ers and 'ea hers o$ 1tri$e% 1??% & desire there$ore, out o$ "! Gi$ts, whi h are re*ea#ed to "e $ro" God, that a## the

Chi#dren o$ God, who desire to 2e the true -e"2ers o$ Christ, 2e $aith$u##! warned to depart $ro" su h a2o"ina2#e Contentions and 2#ood! .ire2rands, and to go $orth $ro" a## 1tri$e with their Brethren, and stri*e on#! a$ter ,o*e and Righteousness towards a## -en% 2@@% .or he that is a good 'ree "ust 2ring $orth good .ruits, and "ust so"eti"es su$$er 1wine to de*our his .ruits, and !et "ust ontinue a good 'ree sti##, and 2e a#wa!s wi##ing to wor9 with God, and not su$$er an! +*i# to o*er o"e hi"% :nd then he standeth and groweth in the .ie#d o$ God, and 2ringeth $orth .ruit to 2e set upon God s 'a2#e, whi h he sha## enDo! $ore*er% Amen, All that hath Breath, praise the %ame of the ,ord! 7a##e#uDah%