Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence

But if they be words [that are to be expressed] then it bringeth them to the roof of the mouth, and there the five counsellors distinguish [or separate] them according to the will of the mind ; and further [the spirit bringeth them upon the tongue, and there the senses divide or] distinguish them in the flash [glance, or in a moment],

23. And there stand the three Principles in strife. The first Principle, viz. the kingdom of sternness [or wrathful fierceness] saith, Go forth in the midst of the strong might of the fire, it must be [so] ; then saith the second [Principle] in the mind, stay and consider, God is here with the virgin, fear the abyss of hell ; and the third [Principle], viz. the kingdom of this world, saith, Here we are at home, we must have it [so], that we may adorn and sustain the body, it must be [so] ; and it taketh the region of the air, viz. its own spirit, and bringeth that [region] out at the mouth, and keepeth the l distinction according to the kingdom » difference,

Of this WOrld. or separation

24. And thus there goeth forth out of the earthly

2 senses and mind, lies and folly, deceit and false- » o thought*, hood, [also] mere subtlety, [with lust and desire] to be elevated ; many [to be elevated] in the might of the fire, as by force and anger ; and many by human art and 3 policy of this world, * which is8 Or virtue, but a knave in the sight of God, yet wrestleth [or 4 worl<L holdeth fast] till it hath prevailed ; many in the form of a tame and gentle beast, very cunningly

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1 Or colour of alluring, and drawing to itself, under a l fair pretence ; many in pride, and stateliness of body [in carriage] and manners, which is a right diabolical beast, who contemneth all that doth not please him, and elevateth himself above all meekness and humility, and over the image of God ; yea, there is so very much of false untowardness, that I may not mention it ; every one followeth the region [rule or dominion] of the stars, even that which serveth most to the voluptuousness of the earthly life. *insumma. 25. 2 In brief, the regimen of the stars [or starry 30rgener- region] 3 maketh not a holy man; and although ateth no holy i 11-1 ^i man. men may converse under a holy show, yet they are but hypocrites, and desire to get honour [and esteem] thereby, their mind sticketh nevertheless in covetousness and pride, and in fleshly pleasure, in mere base lechery and lust, and they are in the

4 win or lust, sight of God (according to the 4 desire of this world) no other than mere knaves, proud, wilful, [selfconceited] thieves, robbers, and murderers. There is not one, who (as to the spirit of this world) is righteous, we are altogether children of deceit and falsehood ; and according to this image (which we have received from the spirit of this world) we belong to eternal death, but not to paradise ; except it be, that we become regenerated anew, out of the centre of the precious virgin, who with her rays averteth the mind from the ungodly ways of sin and wickedness.

26. And if the love of God (which so dearlyCh. 16] THREEFOLD SPIRIT AND WILL 357 loved the image of man, that itself is become man)

did not stand in the centre of the mind in the

[midst or] l point of separation, then man had been l Or parting a living devil, and he is indeed such a one, when he despiseth the regeneration, and 2goeth on accord- 20rdeparteth.

ing to the inbred nature of the first and third

Principles.