Christians honour and adore for the third Person in the Deity. 39. Thus, O blind Jew, Turk, and Heathen, thou seest that there are three Persons in the Deity, thou canst not deny it, for thou livest and art or hast thy being in the three Persons, and thou hast thy life from them and in them, and in the power of these three Persons thou art to rise from the dead at the last day, and live eternally. Note. 40. Now if thou hast lived well and holily in this world, according to the law of nature, and hast not extinguished the clear flash, which is the Son of God, which teacheth thee the law of nature in thy seven qualifying or fountain spirits, and hast not put it out through a fierce elevation, which runneth on contrary to the knowledge of nature [or conscience], then wilt thou with all Christians live in eternal joy. Note. [41. " The law of nature is the divine ordinance " out of the centre of nature, he that can live " therein needs no other law, for he fulfilleth the "will of God."] 42. For it lieth not in thy unbelief [or ignorance] to hinder it; thy unbelief doth not take away or make void the truth of God: but faith bloweth up the spirit of hope, and testifieth that we are God's children. The faith is generated in the flash, and wrestleth so long with God till it overcometh and gets the victory. 43. Thou judgest us, and thereby thou judgest thyself, in that thou blowest up the zealous or jealous spirit in anger and wrath, which extin guisheth thy light. But if thou art grown on a sweet tree, and suppressest the evil influence or suggestions, and livest well and holily in the law of nature, that sheweth thee very well what is right, if thou art not indeed grown out from a fierce or wrathful twig or branch. [44. " Here is meant or understood out of or " from a quite Godless seed, whereout there often " groweth a thistle; though yet there were a " remedy, if the will were but once broken; but it " is a rare and precious thing; however, indeed on " a good tree it is often so, that some branches " do also wither."] Note. 45. Moreover, thou art blind. For who shall separate thee from the love of God, in which thou art born or generated, and wherein thou livest, if thou perseverest and continuest therein till the end? Who shall separate thee from God, in whom thou hast lived here? 46. That which thou hast sown in the ground, that will spring up, be it rye, wheat, barley, tares or thorns; that which is not combustible or capable of the final or last fire, that will not burn at all: But God will not himself corrupt or spoil his good seed, but will husband, till and manure it, that it may bear fruit in the eternal life.* * "husband, till," etc. (bauen), "build," i.e. develop, cultivate. 47. Seeing then all live and have their being in God, why do the weeds glory and boast against the wheat? Dost thou think that God is a dissembler, and that he regardeth or respecteth any man's person or name?
48. What man was the father of us all? Was it not Adam? And when his son Cain lived wickedly before God, why did not his father Adam help him? But here it may be said: [Ezek. xviii. 4,20] He that sinneth shall be punished. 49. If Cain had not quenched or extinguished his light, who could have separated him from the love of God? 50. So thou also, thou boastest thou art a Christian, and knowest the light, why dost thou not walk therein? Dost thou think the name will make thee holy? Tarry, Friend, till thou comest thither into the other world, then thou wilt know it by experience. Behold! many a Jew, Turk, and Heathen, who had indeed their lamps well trimmed and furnished, will sooner enter into the kingdom of heaven than thou who boastest. Question. What prerogative or advantage then have the Christians? Answer. 51. Very much; for they know the way of life, and know how they should rise from the fall: But if any will lie still, then he must be thrown into the ditch, and there must perish with all the Godless Heathen. 52. Therefore take heed what thou dost, and consider what thou art; thou judgest others, and art blind thyself. 53. But the spirit saith thou hast no cause for it, viz. to judge him who is better than thou: Have we not all one flesh, and our life subsisteth in God, be it in his love, or in his anger? For what thou sowest, that thou
Christians honour and adore for the third Person in the Deity. 39. Thus, O blind Jew, Turk, and Heathen, you seest that there are three Persons in the Deity, you can not deny it, for you livest and art or have your being in the three Persons, and you have your life from them and in them, and in the power of these three Persons you are to rise from the dead at the last day, and live eternally. Note. 40. Now if you have lived well and holily in this world, according to the law of nature, and have not extinguished the clear flash, which is the Son of God, which teaches you the law of nature in your seven qualifying or fountain spirits, and have not put it out through a fierce elevation, which runns on contrary to the knowledge of nature [or conscience], then will you with all Christians live in eternal joy. Note. [41. " The law of nature is the divine ordinance " out of the centre of nature, he that can live " therein needs no other law, for he fulfills the "will of God."] 42. For it lies not in your unbelief [or ignorance] to hinder it; your unbelief does not take away or make void the truth of God: but faith blows up the spirit of hope, and testifies that we are God's children. The faith is generated in the flash, and wrestls so long with God till it overcoms and gets the victory. 43. You judgest us, and thereby you judgest yourself, in that you blowest up the zealous or jealous spirit in anger and wrath, which extin guishes your light. But if you are grown on a sweet tree, and suppressest the evil influence or suggestions, and livest well and holily in the law of nature, that shows you very well what is right, if you are not indeed grown out from a fierce or wrathful twig or branch. [44. " Here is meant or understood out of or " from a quite Godless seed, whereout there often " grows a thistle; though yet there were a " remedy, if the will were but once broken; but it " is a rare and precious thing; however, indeed on " a good tree it is often so, that some branches " do also wither."] Note. 45. Moreover, you are blind. For who shall separate you from the love of God, in which you are born or generated, and wherein you livest, if you perseverest and continuest therein till the end? Who shall separate you from God, in whom you have lived here? 46. That which you have sown in the ground, that will spring up, be it rye, wheat, barley, tares or thorns; that which is not combustible or capable of the final or last fire, that will not burn at all: But God will not himself corrupt or spoil his good seed, but will husband, till and manure it, that it may bear fruit in the eternal life.* * "husband, till," etc. (bauen), "build," i.e. develop, cultivate. 47. Seeing then all live and have their being in God, why do the weeds glory and boast against the wheat? Dost you think that God is a dissembler, and that he regards or respects any man's person or name?
48. What man was the father of us all? Was it not Adam? And when his son Cain lived wickedly before God, why did not his father Adam help him? But here it may be said: [Ezek. xviii. 4,20] He that sinns shall be punished. 49. If Cain had not quenched or extinguished his light, who could have separated him from the love of God? 50. So you also, you boastest you are a Christian, and know the light, why do you not walk therein? Dost you think the name will make you holy? Tarry, Friend, till you comest thither into the other world, then you will know it by experience. Behold! many a Jew, Turk, and Heathen, who had indeed their lamps well trimmed and furnished, will sooner enter into the kingdom of heaven than you who boastest. Question. What prerogative or advantage then have the Christians? Answer. 51. Very much; for they know the way of life, and know how they should rise from the fall: But if any will lie still, then he must be thrown into the ditch, and there must perish with all the Godless Heathen. 52. Therefore take heed what you do, and consider what you are; you judgest others, and art blind yourself. 53. But the spirit says you have no cause for it, viz. to judge him who is better than you: Have we not all one flesh, and our life subsists in God, be it in his love, or in his anger? For what you sowest, that you
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