Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
62. And now if we consider in our own reason, and (in the consideration of our high knowledge)
Ch. 18] PROMISED SEED OF THE WOMAN 451
look upon what the world at Babel hath introduced in this high article [of prayer], whereof we are about to treat, in that Antichrist hath set himself therein, and shewn his great l power therein, then a Or authoour reason might well keep us back, because of the great sting and danger that might befall us from the fierce wrath of Antichrist. But seeing it appeareth to us without our knowledge, therefore we will rather obey the voice of God, than the earthly fear, in hope to be recompensed. And though it should happen that Antichrist should destroy our earthly body (which yet standeth in the permission of God, which we must not withstand), yet we will more highly esteem that which is to come, than that which is transitory, which [things to come], if we attain them, are our true native country, out of which we (in Adam) are gone forth ; and the spirit inviteth all men's attention before this glass.
63. Hitherto the honour of invocation [or worship] hath been done and afforded to the Virgin Mary, and other saints [or holy people] that have been here [in this life] ; whereas yet (in the ground of the light of nature) this command or law was not known at all, and it is most highly necessary to be known, that the ground thereof hath been taken in the confused JBabel, when men were weary of the poor Christ, who in this world had not whereon to lay his head. Then they did as Israel with Moses, who made themselves a calf to be their god, andp. 452 said : Behold, Israel, these are thy gods, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt ; and they made a calfish worship of God, for their voluptuous life, and looked no more after Moses, but said, We know not what is become of this man Moses ; and they said to Aaron, Make thou us gods which may go before us, and he made them the calf; but when Moses came and saw it, then he was wroth, and took the Tables of God and brake them, and threw them away, and said; Hearken, ye that belong unto the Lord, gird every man his sword to his side, and slay his brother, the worshippers of the calf.
64. In such a form [or condition] also is the confused Babel (in the kingdom of Christ upon earth) in the blind earnestness of man's own
1 Or in the reason, where men seek Christ in the * kingdom of bravery ancl glory of this this world ; whereby they could not find him, as Israel [could not find] Moses, while he was on the mount. And thereupon they have made other gods to [go before] them, and [have instituted and set up] the divine service [or worship] of God, with the richest [and most costly ornaments] and holy show ; and they continually say [in their mind], We know not what is become of this Jesus, for he is gone from us ; we will erect a divine service for him in our country, and we will make merry at it, and that shall be done according to our own will and pleasure, that we may be rich and fat with it, and refresh ourselves fully with this Jesus.
Ch. 18] PROMISED SEED OF THE WOMAN 453
62. And now if we consider in our own reason, and (in the consideration of our high knowledge)
Ch. 18] PROMISED SEED OF THE WOMAN 451 look upon what the world at Babel has introduced in this high article [of prayer], whereof we are about to treat, in that Antichrist has set himself therein, and shown his great l power therein, then a Or authoour reason might well keep us back, because of the great sting and danger that might befall us from the fierce wrath of Antichrist. But seeing it appears to us without our knowledge, therefore we will rather obey the voice of God, than the earthly fear, in hope to be recompensed. And though it should happen that Antichrist should destroy our earthly body (which yet stands in the permission of God, which we must not withstand), yet we will more highly esteem that which is to come, than that which is transitory, which [things to come], if we attain them, are our true native country, out of which we (in Adam) are gone forth ; and the spirit invits all men's attention before this glass.
63. Hitherto the honour of invocation [or worship] has been done and afforded to the Virgin Mary, and other saints [or holy people] that have been here [in this life] ; whereas yet (in the ground of the light of nature) this command or law was not known at all, and it is most highly necessary to be known, that the ground thereof has been taken in the confused JBabel, when men were weary of the poor Christ, who in this world had not whereon to lay his head. Then they did as Israel with Moses, who made themselves a calf to be their god, and
452 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Ch. 18 said : Behold, Israel, these are your gods, which brought you out of the land of Egypt ; and they made a calfish worship of God, for their voluptuous life, and looked no more after Moses, but said, We know not what is become of this man Moses ; and they said to Aaron, Make you us gods which may go before us, and he made them the calf; but when Moses came and saw it, then he was wroth, and took the Tables of God and brake them, and threw them away, and said; Hearken, you that belong unto the Lord, gird every man his sword to his side, and slay his brother, the worshippers of the calf.
64. In such a form [or condition] also is the confused Babel (in the kingdom of Christ upon earth) in the blind earnestness of man's own
1 Or in the reason, where men seek Christ in the * kingdom of bravery ancl glory of this this world ; whereby they could not find him, as Israel [could not find] Moses, while he was on the mount. And thereupon they have made other gods to [go before] them, and [have instituted and set up] the divine service [or worship] of God, with the richest [and most costly ornaments] and holy show ; and they continually say [in their mind], We know not what is become of this Jesus, for he is gone from us ; we will erect a divine service for him in our country, and we will make merry at it, and that shall be done according to our own will and pleasure, that we may be rich and fat with it, and refresh ourselves fully with this Jesus.
Ch. 18] PROMISED SEED OF THE WOMAN 453