Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
seen. Thus likewise (understand us, I prithee, thou very precious and noble mind) this second surpassing excellent creation is in the Fiat ; when God saw and took notice of our miserable fall, he did illustrate [or manifest] himself by the holy eternal virgin of his wisdom in the eternal wonders, in 3 mercy which always floweth out of his heart, and did comprehend with his speculation [or manifestation] the throne ; and did further illustrate himself in the throne into many millions without number, and established his covenant with his oath therein, with his precious promise of the woman's seed.
19. Thus, my very precious mind, apprehend it aright. This same throne was made in time (as the time of his covenant was revealed) an angelical principality in the mercy of God, in the holy pure element, in the sacred Ternary, that is, in the holy earth, wherein the Deity is substantially known; so that the whole mercy of God (which is unmeasurable, and everywhere in the sacred Ternary ;
8 BamrihertzigJceit.
Ch. 23] THE PRECIOUS TESTAMENTS OF CHRIST 643
which is likewise so great in the holy element, that it compriseth heaven and this world) became a man ; that is, a substantial similitude of the spirit of the Trinity, in which (likeness) the Trinity dwelleth with complete fulness ; and in this great angelical throne and principality stood in the beginning, and from eternity, the aspect in the infinite multiplicity proceeding from all the essences in the limbus of the Father, and became truly illustrate [or manifest] in the time of the promise.
20. Thus now even unto this very day all things are yet in the Fiat, or creating, and the creation hath no end until the judgment of God, where that which hath grown on the holy tree shall be separated from the unholy thistles and thorns ; and we men are these innumerable aspects (or ideas) in the Fiat of the great princely throne ; and we, who are holy, shall be created in the body of this Prince in God ; but we that degenerate, or perish, shall be cast out as naughty x apples unto the swine of 1 fruit, the devil.
21. Thus we were foreseen [or elected] in Christ Jesus before the foundations of the world were laid, that we should be his angels and servants in his high princely throne, in the body of his element, in which his spirit, viz. the Holy Trinity, will dwell.
22. This I would clearly demonstrate unto thee
* in the kingdom of this world, yea in all things ; 2 Or upon it, thou shalt not be able to name any thing out of example.
p. 644
which I will not demonstrate it unto thee, if God give us leave ; but seeing it will here take up too much room, I will write a book by itself of it, if the Lord permit.
23. Therefore, my beloved soul, be lively, and see what thy noble bridegroom hath left thee in his Testaments for a legacy ; as namely, in the Baptism, the water of his covenant, flowing from his holy original body. Whereas we in this world, viz. in the extern birth of his body, do acknowledge four things, namely, fire, air, water, and earth, wherein our earthly body consisteth ; so likewise in the heavenly body there are four such things. The fire is the enkindling of the divine desire. The water is that which the fire desireth, whence it becomes meek, and a light. The air is the joyful spirit which bloweth up the fire, and maketh in the water the motion. And the earth is the true essence which is born in the three elements, and is rightly called Ternarius Sanctus [the sacred Ternary], in which the tincture is brought forth in the light of the meekness ; and therein also is born the holy blood out of the water, being an oil of the water, in which the light shineth, and the spirit of life consisteth.
24. Understand it thus, that water is the water 1 Or seed. of the eternal life in the llimbus of God in the holy Ternary ; and that is the water which bap20rceiebra- tizeth the soul, when we keep the 2use of his tion.
seen. Thus likewise (understand us, I prithee, you very precious and noble mind) this second surpassing excellent creation is in the Fiat ; when God saw and took notice of our miserable fall, he did illustrate [or manifest] himself by the holy eternal virgin of his wisdom in the eternal wonders, in 3 mercy which always flows out of his heart, and did comprehend with his speculation [or manifestation] the throne ; and did further illustrate himself in the throne into many millions without number, and established his covenant with his oath therein, with his precious promise of the woman's seed.
19. Thus, my very precious mind, apprehend it aright. This same throne was made in time (as the time of his covenant was revealed) an angelical principality in the mercy of God, in the holy pure element, in the sacred Ternary, that is, in the holy earth, wherein the Deity is substantially known; so that the whole mercy of God (which is unmeasurable, and everywhere in the sacred Ternary ;
8 BamrihertzigJceit.
Ch. 23] THE PRECIOUS TESTAMENTS OF CHRIST 643
which is likewise so great in the holy element, that it comprises heaven and this world) became a man ; that is, a substantial similitude of the spirit of the Trinity, in which (likeness) the Trinity dwells with complete fulness ; and in this great angelical throne and principality stood in the beginning, and from eternity, the aspect in the infinite multiplicity proceeding from all the essences in the limbus of the Father, and became truly illustrate [or manifest] in the time of the promise.
20. Thus now even unto this very day all things are yet in the Fiat, or creating, and the creation has no end until the judgment of God, where that which has grown on the holy tree shall be separated from the unholy thistles and thorns ; and we men are these innumerable aspects (or ideas) in the Fiat of the great princely throne ; and we, who are holy, shall be created in the body of this Prince in God ; but we that degenerate, or perish, shall be cast out as naughty x apples unto the swine of 1 fruit, the devil.
21. Thus we were foreseen [or elected] in Christ Jesus before the foundations of the world were laid, that we should be his angels and servants in his high princely throne, in the body of his element, in which his spirit, viz. the Holy Trinity, will dwell.
22. This I would clearly demonstrate unto you
* in the kingdom of this world, yea in all things ; 2 Or upon it, you shall not be able to name any thing out of example.
644 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Oil. 23 which I will not demonstrate it unto you, if God give us leave ; but seeing it will here take up too much room, I will write a book by itself of it, if the Lord permit.
23. Therefore, my beloved soul, be lively, and see what your noble bridegroom has left you in his Testaments for a legacy ; as namely, in the Baptism, the water of his covenant, flowing from his holy original body. Whereas we in this world, viz. in the extern birth of his body, do acknowledge four things, namely, fire, air, water, and earth, wherein our earthly body consists ; so likewise in the heavenly body there are four such things. The fire is the enkindling of the divine desire. The water is that which the fire desires, whence it becomes meek, and a light. The air is the joyful spirit which blows up the fire, and makes in the water the motion. And the earth is the true essence which is born in the three elements, and is rightly called Ternarius Sanctus [the sacred Ternary], in which the tincture is brought forth in the light of the meekness ; and therein also is born the holy blood out of the water, being an oil of the water, in which the light shines, and the spirit of life consists.
24. Understand it thus, that water is the water 1 Or seed. of the eternal life in the llimbus of God in the holy Ternary ; and that is the water which bap20rceiebra- tizes the soul, when we keep the 2use of his tion.