Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
23. It goeth very hard, when the [grain of] mustard-seed is sown, (for the devil oppose th strongly), but whosoever persevereth, findeth by experience what is written in this book. And although he cannot be rid of the unto ward ness of the incitements of the four elements, yet nevertheless the 8 in the pure noble seed in the *limbus of God continueth with element. him, which seed springeth and groweth, and at last becometh a tree, which the devil favoureth [or relisheth] not ; but he goeth about the tree like a fawning cur which pisseth against the tree ; and then by his servants he casteth all mishaps upon him ; and by his crew [of followers and conCh. 15]p. 313
federates] he thrusteth many out of l his house, l out of this
,v,i j L- j-l T> ± ., earthly rotten that he may do him no more displeasure. But it tabernacle, goeth well with him [that feareth God], and he cometh into the land of the living.
24. Therefore we say now (according to our high knowledge), that the source [or active desire] of all the three Principles doth imprint itself together
2 with the child's incarnation [or becoming man], in 2 Or in.
the mother's body. For after that man is figured
[or shaped] from the stars and elements, by the
Fiat, so that the elements have taken possession of their regions [kingdoms, or dominions] (viz. the heart, liver, lungs, bladder, and stomach, wherein they have their regions), then must the 3 artificer 3 Or worki • fi-ir • r- master, the in his twofold form rise up out of all essences ; Fiat. for there standeth now the image of God, and the image of this world, and there also is the image of the devil. Now there must be wrestling and overcoming, and there is need of the Treader upon the Serpent, even in the mother's [womb or] body.
25. Therefore, ye fathers and mothers, be honest and live in the fear of God, that the Treader upon the Serpent may also be in your fruit. For Christ saith, A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, and an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit. And although this indeed is meant of the mind that is * brought up; which hath its own under- * Or cometh to
,. r _ _ act of itself.
standing [or meaning], thus, that no false mind bringeth forth good fruit, nor any good mind evilp. 314 fruit ; yet it is effectually necessary for the children [that the parents be honest aud virtuous], because the child is generated from the essences of the parents.
26. And though it be clear that the stars in the outward birth [geuiture or operation] do alter the
1 operation, essences in every one according to their l source
[quality, influence, or property], yet the element is still there, and they cannot alter that with their power, except man himself do it ; they have only the outward region ; and besides, the devil dare not
2 Or give Mm- 2 image [or imprint] himself, before the time of the self into the .. ,. ,~ .,.,.
imagination, understanding, when man can incline himself to the evil or to the good. Yet none must presume upon this [impotency of the devil, and four elements], for if the parents be wicked, God can well forsake a wicked seed. For he willeth not that the Pearl should be cast before swine ; although he is very inclined to help all men, yet it is [effectual] but for those that turn to him ; and although the child is in innocency, yet the seed is not in innocency ; and therefore it hath need of the Treader upon the Serpent [or Saviour]. Therefore, ye parents, consider what ye do ; especially ye knaves and whores ; ye have a hard lesson [to learn] here, consider it well, it is no jesting matter, it shall be shewn you
3 in the book 3 in its place, that the heaven thundereth [and of Election , ... .. rn , , . f and Predtsti- passeth away with a noise]. Iruly the time ot the rose bringeth it forth, and it is high time to awake, for the sleep is at an end, there shall a great
Ch. 15] KNOWLEDGE OF THE ETERNITY 315
1 rent be before the lily ; therefore let every one ' cleaving asunder, shaktake heed tO hlS Ways. ingandaltera27. If we now search into the life of man in the earthquake, mother's [womb or] body, concerning his virtue
23. It goes very hard, when the [grain of] mustard-seed is sown, (for the devil oppose th strongly), but whosoever persevers, finds by experience what is written in this book. And although he cannot be rid of the unto ward ness of the incitements of the four elements, yet nevertheless the 8 in the pure noble seed in the *limbus of God continues with element. him, which seed springs and grows, and at last becomes a tree, which the devil favours [or relishes] not ; but he goes about the tree like a fawning cur which pisses against the tree ; and then by his servants he casts all mishaps upon him ; and by his crew [of followers and conCh. 15] KNOWLEDGE OF THE ETERNITY 313 federates] he thrusts many out of l his house, l out of this
,v,i j L- j-l T> ± ., earthly rotten that he may do him no more displeasure. But it tabernacle, goes well with him [that fears God], and he comes into the land of the living.
24. Therefore we say now (according to our high knowledge), that the source [or active desire] of all the three Principles does imprint itself together
2 with the child's incarnation [or becoming man], in 2 Or in.
the mother's body. For after that man is figured
[or shaped] from the stars and elements, by the
Fiat, so that the elements have taken possession of their regions [kingdoms, or dominions] (viz. the heart, liver, lungs, bladder, and stomach, wherein they have their regions), then must the 3 artificer 3 Or worki • fi-ir • r- master, the in his twofold form rise up out of all essences ; Fiat. for there stands now the image of God, and the image of this world, and there also is the image of the devil. Now there must be wrestling and overcoming, and there is need of the Treader upon the Serpent, even in the mother's [womb or] body.
25. Therefore, you fathers and mothers, be honest and live in the fear of God, that the Treader upon the Serpent may also be in your fruit. For Christ says, A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, and an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit. And although this indeed is meant of the mind that is * brought up; which has its own under- * Or comes to
,. r _ _ act of itself.
standing [or meaning], thus, that no false mind brings forth good fruit, nor any good mind evil
314 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Ch. 15 fruit ; yet it is effectually necessary for the children [that the parents be honest aud virtuous], because the child is generated from the essences of the parents.
26. And though it be clear that the stars in the outward birth [geuiture or operation] do alter the
1 operation, essences in every one according to their l source
[quality, influence, or property], yet the element is still there, and they cannot alter that with their power, except man himself do it ; they have only the outward region ; and besides, the devil dare not
2 Or give Mm- 2 image [or imprint] himself, before the time of the self into the .. ,. ,~ .,.,.
imagination, understanding, when man can incline himself to the evil or to the good. Yet none must presume upon this [impotency of the devil, and four elements], for if the parents be wicked, God can well forsake a wicked seed. For he wills not that the Pearl should be cast before swine ; although he is very inclined to help all men, yet it is [effectual] but for those that turn to him ; and although the child is in innocency, yet the seed is not in innocency ; and therefore it has need of the Treader upon the Serpent [or Saviour]. Therefore, you parents, consider what you do ; especially you knaves and whores ; you have a hard lesson [to learn] here, consider it well, it is no jesting matter, it shall be shown you
3 in the book 3 in its place, that the heaven thunders [and of Election , ... .. rn , , . f and Predtsti- passes away with a noise]. Iruly the time ot the rose brings it forth, and it is high time to awake, for the sleep is at an end, there shall a great
Ch. 15] KNOWLEDGE OF THE ETERNITY 315
1 rent be before the lily ; therefore let every one ' cleaving asunder, shaktake heed tO hlS Ways. ingandaltera27. If we now search into the life of man in the earthquake, mother's [womb or] body, concerning his virtue