Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence

Ch. 23] THE PRECIOUS TESTAMENTS OP CHRIST 655 of Christ is the food of the new man, which the soul hath put on from the body of Jesus Christ, and the body and the blood of Jesus Christ feedeth the new man ; and if the new man abideth faithful in the body of Jesus Christ, then the noble Pearl of the l light of God is given to him, so that he can i or divine see the noble virgin of the wisdom of God ; and lg *'

that virgin taketh the Pearl into her bosom, and goeth continually with the soul into the new body, and warneth the soul of the false [or evil] way.

But what manner of Pearl this is, I would that all men might know it. But how much it is known, is plain before our eyes. It is brighter than the splendour of the sun, and of more worth than the whole world ; but how clear soever it is, yet it is also secret.

46. Now then reason asketh, What doth the wicked receive who is unregenerated ? I answer, Hearken, my beloved reason, what St Paul saith, Because he distinguisheth not the body of Christ, therefore he receiveth it to his own judgment. As the Prophet saith, They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me ; and as is before mentioned, whosoever goeth away from God, entereth into his wrath.

47. How wilt thou receive the holy body in the love, if thou art a devil ? Hath not the devil also been an angel ? Wherefore went he away from God ? If thy old man [captivated] in the wrath be only on thy soul, and no new [man], then thy

p. 656

THE THREE PRINCIPLES

[Ch. 22

1 Or he that
made the
Testament.

3 God.

soul receiveth the wrath of God, and thy old man receiveth the elementary bread and wine. The noble Pearl is not cast before swine ; indeed the Testament is there, and the l Testator inviteth thee to it, but thou makest a mockery of it ; he would fain help thee, and thou wilt not.

48. I say not that thou receivest the wrath of God in the bread and in the wine, but in thy false confidence ; thou art with thy body and soul in the anger, and wilt not go out from it. Wherefore then dost thou approach often to the covenant of God, seeing thou art captivated of the devil ? Dost thou think that 2 he will adorn thy hypocrisy, and will hang his Pearl on thee ? Thou art a wolf, and howlest with the dogs ; thy mouth prayeth,

1 «in Schaick. and thy soul is 3 abominably wicked [and naught] ; when it goeth from the Testament of Christ, it entereth into the stall of robbery again, and is a murderer ; it howleth with the dogs ; it is a perfidious whore ; when it goeth away from the covenant, it steppeth into whorish corners, into the den of thieves ; and there they stand, and pretend great holiness. 0, this day is a holy day to me, I must not sin. And yet they think, to-morrow or next day they will go thither again,

49. 0 thou knave, if thou bringest not another man than such to it, stay away from the Testament of Christ ; thou art but a murderer, and dost scandalize thy neighbour, so long as thou art in such a way ; thy prayer is false, it cometh not fromCh. 23] THE PRECIOUS TESTAMENTS OF CHRIST 657 the bottom of the heart ; thy heart desireth only the pleasures of this world, and the l driver receiveth 1 hunter, perthy prayer, he is thy god ; therefore consider what the devil. thou dost.

50. 0 Babel, we have a great deal to say to thee, but not here ; thou shalt once be talked with in the anger, at which the elements shall shake and tremble ; go forth (it is high time) that the anger may be allayed.

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THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER

Of true Repentance : How the poor Sinner may
come to God again in his Covenant, and how
he may be released of his Sins.
The Gate of the Justification of a poor Sinner before God.
A clear Looking-Glass.