Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
109. For * it standeth in the gate in the centre, « the soul. viz. in the door [way] between heaven and hell ;
and the Word is in the heaven. And if the soul giveth way to be drawn away from that gate, then it loseth the Word; but if the soul reach
p. 27
p. 418
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
[Ch. 17
1 incline to 1 forward again, towards the gate, then it attaineth resignation. , . , , . . / , . , - that again ; and the virgin (who is the servant of the Word) goeth continually [along] with the soul, and warneth it of the evil ways.
110. But if the soul be a dog, an adder, or serpent, then the virgin goeth away to the Word into the heaven, and then the door is shut. And then there is a whole birth between the soul and the Word, whereas else there is but half [a birth between the Word and the soul] ; and then there is need of hard striving, and [such a soul] will hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven ; yet it is possible enough.
111. This Word hath brought the souls of men which have 2 inclined their minds to it, ever since the beginning of the world (when their bodies have been dead) into the bosom of Abraham, into the element, into the rest, [which is] without source [or pain], and there the soul, [being yet] without a body, hath no paradisical source [or active property
3.0rj>pened. or Acuity], but dwelleth in the 8 broken gate, in the meek element, in the bosom of the 4 virgin, in the presence of their bridegroom, B after the long strife of unquietness, and waiteth for its body without pain. And as to the soul there is no time, but it is in stillness ; it sleepeth not, but it seeth (without disturbance) in the light of the Word.
112. But because the essences of the soul were infected with the poison of the devil, and of hell, so that the soul could not be helped again, except
2 yielded to the Word.
4 Or wisdom of God.
6 Or upon.
p. 419
it were l born anew through the Word, out of the l new-bom, or mouth of God, viz. through his beloved Heart, " (if ever it should attain the paradisical joy and source [condition or quality] again, and qualify or mingle in the 2 paradisical essences, and if ever its 2 Or be body should come out of the element again to the with par** soul) then the Word (in the virgin-chastity) must 8 become man, and take man's flesh and blood, and 3 Or be incarnate.
become a human soul, and enter into death, as also in the first Principle, into the dark mind of the eternity, where the soul hath its original, into the ground of hell, and break in pieces 'the dark gate in the ground of the soul, and the chains of the devil, and generate [or beget] the soul anew again out of the ground [thereof], and present it as a new child (without sin and wrath) before God.
113. And as the first sin did [pass or] press from one upon all, so also the regeneration [passeth] by one upon all ; and none are excluded, except they will themselves. Whosoever saith otherwise, hath no knowledge in the kingdom of God, but telleth mere stories [or speaketh but according to the history or letter only], without the spirit of life.
114. Here following we will highly and orderly set down God's great deeds of wonder, for the comforting of the sick Adam, which for the present sticketh in the press, and must suffer * anguish ; yet « squeezing this (which is set down) shall stand against all the sk»n.°P1 gates of the devil, also against all sects and schisms,p. 420 and that in the ground of the light, as it is given to us of God, and besides, out of the ground of the Holy Scriptures, upon the highly precious words of the promise in the Prophets, and the Psalms, as also the apostolical [writings]. And though we do not here allege the Scriptures, yet we will sufficiently prove it to every one who will not be contented with this summary description.
1 Or becoming The Gate of the l Incarnation of Jesus Christ the
Son of God.
The firm Articles of the Christian Faith.
109. For * it stands in the gate in the centre, « the soul. viz. in the door [way] between heaven and hell ;
and the Word is in the heaven. And if the soul gives way to be drawn away from that gate, then it loses the Word; but if the soul reach
p. 27
p. 418
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
[Ch. 17
1 incline to 1 forward again, towards the gate, then it attains resignation. , . , , . . / , . , - that again ; and the virgin (who is the servant of the Word) goes continually [along] with the soul, and warns it of the evil ways.
110. But if the soul be a dog, an adder, or serpent, then the virgin goes away to the Word into the heaven, and then the door is shut. And then there is a whole birth between the soul and the Word, whereas else there is but half [a birth between the Word and the soul] ; and then there is need of hard striving, and [such a soul] will hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven ; yet it is possible enough.
111. This Word has brought the souls of men which have 2 inclined their minds to it, ever since the beginning of the world (when their bodies have been dead) into the bosom of Abraham, into the element, into the rest, [which is] without source [or pain], and there the soul, [being yet] without a body, has no paradisical source [or active property
3.0rj>pened. or Acuity], but dwells in the 8 broken gate, in the meek element, in the bosom of the 4 virgin, in the presence of their bridegroom, B after the long strife of unquietness, and waits for its body without pain. And as to the soul there is no time, but it is in stillness ; it sleeps not, but it sees (without disturbance) in the light of the Word.
112. But because the essences of the soul were infected with the poison of the devil, and of hell, so that the soul could not be helped again, except
2 yielded to the Word.
4 Or wisdom of God.
6 Or upon.
p. 419
it were l born anew through the Word, out of the l new-bom, or mouth of God, viz. through his beloved Heart, " (if ever it should attain the paradisical joy and source [condition or quality] again, and qualify or mingle in the 2 paradisical essences, and if ever its 2 Or be body should come out of the element again to the with par** soul) then the Word (in the virgin-chastity) must 8 become man, and take man's flesh and blood, and 3 Or be incarnate.
become a human soul, and enter into death, as also in the first Principle, into the dark mind of the eternity, where the soul has its original, into the ground of hell, and break in pieces 'the dark gate in the ground of the soul, and the chains of the devil, and generate [or beget] the soul anew again out of the ground [thereof], and present it as a new child (without sin and wrath) before God.
113. And as the first sin did [pass or] press from one upon all, so also the regeneration [passes] by one upon all ; and none are excluded, except they will themselves. Whosoever says otherwise, has no knowledge in the kingdom of God, but tells mere stories [or speaks but according to the history or letter only], without the spirit of life.
114. Here following we will highly and orderly set down God's great deeds of wonder, for the comforting of the sick Adam, which for the present sticks in the press, and must suffer * anguish ; yet « squeezing this (which is set down) shall stand against all the sk»n.°P1 gates of the devil, also against all sects and schisms,
420 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Ch. 17 and that in the ground of the light, as it is given to us of God, and besides, out of the ground of the Holy Scriptures, upon the highly precious words of the promise in the Prophets, and the Psalms, as also the apostolical [writings]. And though we do not here allege the Scriptures, yet we will sufficiently prove it to every one who will not be contented with this summary description.
1 Or becoming The Gate of the l Incarnation of Jesus Christ the
Son of God.
The firm Articles of the Christian Faith.