thy hands: Why dost thou sleep? Behold, he knocketh! 179. O gracious, amiable, blessed love and clear bright light, tarry with us, I pray thee, for the evening is at hand. O truth! O justice and righteous judgment! what is become of thee? Doth not the spirit wonder, as if he had never seen the world before now? O, why do I write of the wickedness of this World? I must do it, the devil's and the world curseth me for it. Amen. THE NINTH CHAPTER Of the Gracious, amiable, blessed, friendly and merciful Love of God. The Great, Heavenly and Divine Mystery. 1. BECAUSE I write here of heavenly and divine things, which are altogether strange to the corrupted, perished nature of man, the Reader doubtless will wonder at the simplicity of the author, and be offended at it. 2. Because the condition and inclination of the corrupted nature is to gaze on high things alone, like a proud, wild, wanton and whorish woman, who always gazeth in her heat or burning lust after handsome men, to act wantonness with them. 3. Thus also is the proud, corrupted, perished nature of man, it stareth only upon that which is glittering and in fashion in this world, and supposeth that God hath forgotten the afflicted, and therefore plagueth them so, because he mindeth them not. 4. Corrupt nature imagineth that the Holy Ghost regardeth only high things, the high arts and sciences of this world, the profound studies, and great learning. 5. But whether it be so or no, look but back, and then you will find the true ground. What was Abel? A shepherd. What were Enoch and Noah? Plain, simple men. What were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Herdsmen. 6. What was Moses, that dear man of God? A herdsman. What was David, when the mouth of the Lord called him? A shepherd. 7. What were the great and the small prophets? Vulgar, plain and mean people: some of them but country people and herdsmen, counted the underlings or footstools of the world: Men counted them but mere fools. 8. Though they did miracles and wonders, and shewed great signs, yet the world gazed on high things alone, and the Holy Ghost must be as the dust under their feet: For the proud devil always endeavoured to be king in this world. 9. How came our King JESUS CHRIST into this world? Poor, and in great trouble and misery, and had not where to lay his head. 10. What were his Apostles? Poor, despised, illiterate fishermen. And what were they that believed their preaching? The poorer and meaner sort of the people. The High Priests and Scribes were the executioners of Christ, [they] who cried out, Crucify him, crucify him.
11. What were they that in all ages of the Church of Christ stood by it most stoutly and constantly? The poor, contemptible, despised people, who shed their blood for the sake of Christ. 12. But who were they that falsified and adulterated the right, pure Christian doctrine, and always fought against and opposed it? Even the learned doctors and scribes, popes, cardinals, bishops, and great dons or masters and teachers. And why did the world follow after them, and depend on them? But because they had * great respect, were in great authority and power, lived stately, and carried a port in the world. Even such a proud whore is the corrupt, perished human nature. * "But because they had," etc. "Only because they had a high standing and made a great show before the world." 13. Who was it that purged out of the Churches in Germany the Pope's greediness of money, his idolatry, bribery, deceit and cheating? A poor despised monk or friar Luther]. By what power and might? By the power of God the Father, and by the power and might of God the Holy Ghost. Question. 14. Then what is yet concealed or remains hidden, the true doctrine of Christ? Answer. No; but the philosophy [Gnosis], and the deep ground of God; the heavenly delightful habitation and pleasure; the revelation of the creation of angels; the revelation of the horrible fall of the devil; from whence evil proceedeth; the creation of this world; the deep ground and
your hands: Why do you sleep? Behold, he knocks! 179. O gracious, amiable, blessed love and clear bright light, tarry with us, I pray you, for the evening is at hand. O truth! O justice and righteous judgment! what is become of you? Does not the spirit wonder, as if he had never seen the world before now? O, why do I write of the wickedness of this World? I must do it, the devil's and the world curses me for it. Amen. THE NINTH CHAPTER Of the Gracious, amiable, blessed, friendly and merciful Love of God. The Great, Heavenly and Divine Mystery. 1. BECAUSE I write here of heavenly and divine things, which are altogether strange to the corrupted, perished nature of man, the Reader doubtless will wonder at the simplicity of the author, and be offended at it. 2. Because the condition and inclination of the corrupted nature is to gaze on high things alone, like a proud, wild, wanton and whorish woman, who always gazes in her heat or burning lust after handsome men, to act wantonness with them. 3. Thus also is the proud, corrupted, perished nature of man, it stars only upon that which is glittering and in fashion in this world, and supposes that God has forgotten the afflicted, and therefore plagus them so, because he minds them not. 4. Corrupt nature imagines that the Holy Ghost regards only high things, the high arts and sciences of this world, the profound studies, and great learning. 5. But whether it be so or no, look but back, and then you will find the true ground. What was Abel? A shepherd. What were Enoch and Noah? Plain, simple men. What were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Herdsmen. 6. What was Moses, that dear man of God? A herdsman. What was David, when the mouth of the Lord called him? A shepherd. 7. What were the great and the small prophets? Vulgar, plain and mean people: some of them but country people and herdsmen, counted the underlings or footstools of the world: Men counted them but mere fools. 8. Though they did miracles and wonders, and showed great signs, yet the world gazed on high things alone, and the Holy Ghost must be as the dust under their feet: For the proud devil always endeavoured to be king in this world. 9. How came our King JESUS CHRIST into this world? Poor, and in great trouble and misery, and had not where to lay his head. 10. What were his Apostles? Poor, despised, illiterate fishermen. And what were they that believed their preaching? The poorer and meaner sort of the people. The High Priests and Scribes were the executioners of Christ, [they] who cried out, Crucify him, crucify him.
11. What were they that in all ages of the Church of Christ stood by it most stoutly and constantly? The poor, contemptible, despised people, who shed their blood for the sake of Christ. 12. But who were they that falsified and adulterated the right, pure Christian doctrine, and always fought against and opposed it? Even the learned doctors and scribes, popes, cardinals, bishops, and great dons or masters and teachers. And why did the world follow after them, and depend on them? But because they had * great respect, were in great authority and power, lived stately, and carried a port in the world. Even such a proud whore is the corrupt, perished human nature. * "But because they had," etc. "Only because they had a high standing and made a great show before the world." 13. Who was it that purged out of the Churches in Germany the Pope's greediness of money, his idolatry, bribery, deceit and cheating? A poor despised monk or friar Luther]. By what power and might? By the power of God the Father, and by the power and might of God the Holy Ghost. Question. 14. Then what is yet concealed or remains hidden, the true doctrine of Christ? Answer. No; but the philosophy [Gnosis], and the deep ground of God; the heavenly delightful habitation and pleasure; the revelation of the creation of angels; the revelation of the horrible fall of the devil; from whence evil proceeds; the creation of this world; the deep ground and
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