Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence

30. If now you desire to know the difference, and which is a false seed or herb, (understand a false spirit, in which the Pearl or the spirit of God is not), consider it in its fruit, smell, and taste ; if he be vainglorious, a seeker of his own honour, covetous, a blasphemer, a slanderer, and despiser of the children of God, which casteth down all under his feet, and would be lord of * all, then know, that such a one is a naughty 2 seed ; and he is a thistle, and shall be sifted out from the seed of God.

Ch. 27] OF THE LAST JUDGMENT 759

1 Go out from such [a spirit], for he is a confounded l Or be at enmity with wheel, and hath no foundation, nor any sap or such a provirtue from God, for the growing of his fruit ; but self, saying he groweth as a thistle, which pricketh only, and who shall

•i.i -, i deliver me bearetn no good seed. fr0m this body

31. The good smell in the herb (which should now look for in the many opinions) is only the new regeneration (out of the old corrupted Adamical mixed man) in the body of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Ghost, viz. a new mind towards God in love and meekness ; which is not set upon pride, covetousness, and seeking his own honour, credit, and esteem, nor upon war, or any manner of stir, or insurrection of inferiors against their superiors, but groweth in patience and meekness, as a grain of wheat among thorns, and bringeth forth fruit in its season. And consider, that where there is such fruit [in thy mind], that is born of God ; and it is the noble virtue in that [man]. Go out from the other fruit, which teacheth uproars and dissension between inferiors and superiors, for such [fruits] are thistles, and will prick and sting [like nettles]. God will fan his wheat himself.

32. The lily will not be found in strife or wars, but in a friendly, humble, loving spirit, together with good sound * reason, this will dispel and drive » welli »i j a • i. • grounded, away the smoke of the devil, and nourish in its convincing, time. Therefore let none think, that when strife realon* °ry goeth on, and he getteth the upper hand, now

p. 760

it is well and right ; and he that is under, and subdued, let him not think, Sure I am found to be in the wroDg, I should now go to the other opinion or side, and help that party to persecute the other ; no, that is not the way, such a one is merely in Babel.

33. But let every one enter into himself, and labour to be a righteous man, and fear God, and do right, and consider that this his work shall appear in heaven before God, and that he standeth every moment before the face of God, and that all his works shall follow after him, and then the lily of God springeth and groweth, and the world standeth in its seculum. AMEN.

THE END OF THE BOOK OF
THE THREE PRINCIPLES

AN APPENDIX

OR

FUNDAMENTAL AND TRUE DESCRIPTION
OF THE THREEFOLD LIFE IN MAN

First, Of the Life of the Spirit of this World in the
Qualities and Dominion of the Stars and Elements.

Secondly, Of the Life of the Originality of all Essences, which standeth in the eternal [indissoluble] Band ; wherein the Root of Man's Soul standeth.

Thirdly, Of the paradisical Life in Ternario Sancto, viz. the Life in the new Regeneration, which is the Life of the Lord Jesus Christ ; wherein the angelical Life is understood, as also the holy Life of the new Regeneration.