Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence

2. Therefore let every one look to it, and take heed of the appearing holy hypocrites and flatterers, for they are Antichrist's (and not Christ's) ministers [or servants] ; for Antichrist hath set his foot upon the breadth of the earth, and rideth upon the abominable devouring beast, which is as great as himself, and indeed greater. Therefore it is highly necessary, that every one should feel [or grope] in his own bosom, and consider his heart, how it is inclined, that he do not deceive himself, and unknown to himself yield himself to be the [servant or] minister of Antichrist, and fulfil that prophecy ; for l he standeth now 2 in the light of the eyes ; the 1 Antichrist, time of his visitation is at hand ; he shall be manifested in the light of life. And beware of covetousness, for thou shalt not enjoy it ; for the wrath of the beast breaketh the mountains and hills to pieces ; and thy covetousness will partake of the 3 fierceness ; the time is near. * Or grimness, and wrath or

3. Now when poor fallen man (viz. Adam and plagues. Eve) stood thus in great fear, horror, and trembling, being fast bound with the bands of the devil, and of hell, in great scorn and shame before the heaven and paradise, then God the Father appeared to them with his angry mind of the abyss, into which they were fallen ; and his most loving Heart went (forth through the Word of the Father) in Adam and Eve, and * placed itself before the wrath, highly 4 Or opposed. in the gate of man's life, and enlightened the poor soul again ; yet they could not comprehend it

p. 424

THE THREE PRINCIPLES

[Ch. 18

1 Or were comforted.

2 Or with the eyes of reason.

3 Or must.

in the essences of the soul ; but received the rays of the almighty power, whereby Adam arid Eve became l glad again ; and yet they stood trembling, by reason of the wrath [or fierce horror or grimness] that was in them, and heard the sentence which God pronounced ; for God said, Because thou hast eaten of the tree whereof I told thee that thou shouldst not eat, cursed be the ground for thy sake ; with care thou shalt maintain thy life thereon all thy life long ; thorns and thistles shall it ~bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field, till thou become earth again, from whence thou wast taken ; for thou art now earth, and to earth thou shalt return again.

4. Here and now stand the great secrets (which we cannot see with 2 our earthly eyes) wholly naked and plain, and there is no veil before it, only we are blind to the kingdom of God ; for God cursed the earth, and said, it should now bear thorns and thistles, and man 3 should eat the fruit of the accursed earth. This indeed is a new thing. He allowed them not in paradise to eat of the earthly herbs, but of the pleasant fruit. And if he had eaten of the herbs of the fields, yet that which he had eaten, was heavenly ; and when the Lord cursed the earth, then all became earthly ; and the holy element was withdrawn, and the fruit did grow in the issuing of the four elements, in the kindling of the fierceness, out of which thorns and thistles grew.

Eat 18] PROMISED SEED OP THE WOMAN 425