Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
41. Behold, thou seeking mind, that which thou seest before thy eyes, that is not the * element, neither in the fire, air, water, nor earth ; neither are there four, but one only, and that is fixed and invisible, also imperceptible : For the fire which burneth is no element, but [it is] the fierce [stern wrath], which cometh to be such in the kindling of the anger, when the devils fell out of the l element : The element is neither hot nor cold, but it is the inclination [to be] in God, for the Heart of God rising up. is Barm [that is, warmth] and its 2 ascension is attractive and always finding ; and then the hertz [that is, the heart] is the holding the thing before itself, and not in itself ; and then the ig [the last syllable of the German word Barm-hertz-ig (that is, warm-hearted, or merciful) expounded according to the language of nature] is the continual dis1 That one pure, holy, eternal element.
Ch. 14] BIRTH AND PROPAGATION OF MAN 277
covering of the thing, and this is altogether ewig [eternal] ; and that is the ground of the inward element, which maketh the anger substantial, so that it was visible and palpable, which [anger] Lucifer with his legions did awaken ; and thereupon he now remaineth to be prince in the anger [or wrath] (in the kindled element) as Christ (according to this form) calleth him a prince of this world.
42. And the element remaineth hidden to the anger and l fierceness [or wrath], and standeth in l paradise ; and the l fierce wrath goeth still out from the element; and therefore God hath captivated the devils with the element in the x fierce wrath, and he keepeth them [in] with the element; and the l fierce wrath cannot [touch or] comprehend 2it, like the fire and the light; for the 2 the element, light is neither hot nor cold, but the x fierce wrath is hot ; and the one holdeth the other, and the one generateth the other.
43. Here observe ; Adam was created out of the element, out of the attracting of the heart of God, which is the will of the Father, and therein is the virgin of the divine virtue [or power], and the outward regimen (which in the kindling parted itself into four parts) would fain have had the same [virgin] in itself; that is, the fierceness of the devil would fain have dwelt in the Heart of God, and have domineered over it, and have opened a centre there, which the fierceness without the light cannot do; for every centre was generatedp. 278 and opened with the kindling of the light. Thus the fierceness would fain be over the meekness, and therefore hath God caused the sun to come forth, so that it hath thus opened four centres, viz. the going forth out of the element.
44. And when the light of the sun appeared in the fierce [sourness or] harshness, then the harshness became thin and l sweet, even water, and the fierceness in the fire-flash was extinguished by the water, so that the anger stood still, yet the will could not rest, but went forth in the mother, out of the water, and moved itself, which is the air:
2 coagulated. And that which the fierce sourness had 2 attracted to it, that was thrust out of the element, in the water, as you see that earth swimmeth in the water.
45. Thus the evil child panteth after the mother, and would get to be in the mother in the element, and yet cannot reach her. But in Adam that [child] did perceive the element ; and thereupon the four elements have drawn Adam to them, and supposed then that they had the mother ; because the virgin there shewed herself in the living spirit of Adam.
46. Hereupon now the spirit of the stars and elements would continually [get] again into the element ; for in the element there is meekness and
8 Viz. in the rest ; and in the 8 kindling thereof there is mere
' enmity and contrary will, and the devil ruleth also therein ; and they would fain be released from that abominable and naughty guest, and they seek withCh. 14] BIRTH AND PROPAGATION OF MAN 279 great anxiety after l deliverance, as Paul saith, All 1 creatures groan together with us, to be freed from vanity.
41. Behold, you seeking mind, that which you seest before your eyes, that is not the * element, neither in the fire, air, water, nor earth ; neither are there four, but one only, and that is fixed and invisible, also imperceptible : For the fire which burns is no element, but [it is] the fierce [stern wrath], which comes to be such in the kindling of the anger, when the devils fell out of the l element : The element is neither hot nor cold, but it is the inclination [to be] in God, for the Heart of God rising up. is Barm [that is, warmth] and its 2 ascension is attractive and always finding ; and then the hertz [that is, the heart] is the holding the thing before itself, and not in itself ; and then the ig [the last syllable of the German word Barm-hertz-ig (that is, warm-hearted, or merciful) expounded according to the language of nature] is the continual dis1 That one pure, holy, eternal element.
Ch. 14] BIRTH AND PROPAGATION OF MAN 277 covering of the thing, and this is altogether ewig [eternal] ; and that is the ground of the inward element, which makes the anger substantial, so that it was visible and palpable, which [anger] Lucifer with his legions did awaken ; and thereupon he now remains to be prince in the anger [or wrath] (in the kindled element) as Christ (according to this form) calls him a prince of this world.
42. And the element remains hidden to the anger and l fierceness [or wrath], and stands in l paradise ; and the l fierce wrath goes still out from the element; and therefore God has captivated the devils with the element in the x fierce wrath, and he keeps them [in] with the element; and the l fierce wrath cannot [touch or] comprehend 2it, like the fire and the light; for the 2 the element, light is neither hot nor cold, but the x fierce wrath is hot ; and the one holds the other, and the one generats the other.
43. Here observe ; Adam was created out of the element, out of the attracting of the heart of God, which is the will of the Father, and therein is the virgin of the divine virtue [or power], and the outward regimen (which in the kindling parted itself into four parts) would fain have had the same [virgin] in itself; that is, the fierceness of the devil would fain have dwelt in the Heart of God, and have domineered over it, and have opened a centre there, which the fierceness without the light cannot do; for every centre was generated
278 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Gil. 14 and opened with the kindling of the light. Thus the fierceness would fain be over the meekness, and therefore has God caused the sun to come forth, so that it has thus opened four centres, viz. the going forth out of the element.
44. And when the light of the sun appeared in the fierce [sourness or] harshness, then the harshness became thin and l sweet, even water, and the fierceness in the fire-flash was extinguished by the water, so that the anger stood still, yet the will could not rest, but went forth in the mother, out of the water, and moved itself, which is the air:
2 coagulated. And that which the fierce sourness had 2 attracted to it, that was thrust out of the element, in the water, as you see that earth swimms in the water.
45. Thus the evil child pants after the mother, and would get to be in the mother in the element, and yet cannot reach her. But in Adam that [child] did perceive the element ; and thereupon the four elements have drawn Adam to them, and supposed then that they had the mother ; because the virgin there showed herself in the living spirit of Adam.
46. Hereupon now the spirit of the stars and elements would continually [get] again into the element ; for in the element there is meekness and
8 Viz. in the rest ; and in the 8 kindling thereof there is mere
' enmity and contrary will, and the devil ruls also therein ; and they would fain be released from that abominable and naughty guest, and they seek with
Ch. 14] BIRTH AND PROPAGATION OF MAN 279 great anxiety after l deliverance, as Paul says, All 1 creatures groan together with us, to be freed from vanity.