Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence

and live in that bodily substance, and in that source [condition] and virtue wherein he liveth.

10. We do not here mean his creature, that we must enter into that, but we understand his source, for the depth and breadth of his life in his source is unmeasurable ; and as God his Father is unmeasurable, so also is the life of Christ so ; for the pure element in the source of God the Father in his l mercy, is the body of Christ ; 2 Barmhertzand as our earthly body standeth in the four elements, fu so the new man standeth in a pure element, out of which this world with the four elements is generated;

and the source of the pure element is the source of the heaven, and of paradise, and so also it is [the source] of our body in the new regeneration.

11. Now that element is in the whole Principle of God everywhere, in all places, and so is unmeasurable and infinite, and therein is the body of Christ and his quality, and in that is the Trinity of the Deity ; so that the Father dwelleth in the Son, viz. in the body of Jesus Christ, and the Son in the Father, as one only God ; and thus the Holy Ghost goeth forth from the Father in the Son, and is given to us, to regenerate us to a new life in God, in the life of Jesus Christ ; and the earthly man, in his image and source [or quality and property], hangeth but to us in this [life] time, [which is] well understood, if we be born of God with our mind.

12. For as God the Father in his own substance comprehendeth all the Three Principles, and is himself thep. 766 substance of all substances, wherein both joy and sorrow are comprehended, and yet goeth forth in itself out of the source of the anguish, and maketh the kingdom of joy to himself, inconceivable to the sorrow, and incomprehensible to the source of his anger in the anguish, and generateth to himself his Heart in the love, wherein the name of God taketh original, so also the mind hath in it all the three Principles. And therein the soul is 1 the soul. comprised, viz. in the band of life, l which must enter again into itself, and create a will in the life of Jesus Christ, and endeavour after it, desiring it with a strong will and purpose ; and not stay merely in the history, or in the knowledge of it, and being able to speak of it, and suppose the words and discourse make a sufficient Christian, when the mind is still in mere doubt in Babel. No, that is not the regeneration, but it must be an earnest resolution ; the mind must in itself go forth into the humility towards God, and enter into the will of God, in righteousness, truth, and love.

13. And though indeed the mind is not able to do this in its own ability, because it is captivated with the spirit of this world, yet it hath the purpose in its power ; and God is presented with [and in] the purpose, and receiveth it in his love, and soweth therein the seed of love in his virtue [or power], out of which the new man in the life of Jesus Christ groweth. Therefore all lieth in the true earnest [purpose], which is called true repentance; for the receiving of the Word of God, in the obedience of love, groweth not in the earthly life, but in the new-born, in the life of Jesus Christ.

14. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is a bestowed bounty of grace for all those that earnestly desire it. Not that it is enough to say to one's self, I have indeed a will to yield myself earnestly to God, but I have need to have this world for a while, and afterwards I will enter into the obedience of God. That continueth from one time to another, and from one day to another,p. 767 and in the meanwhile the l evil man groweth ; if you 1 Or the child defer it to the end, and then desire [and think] to be a of P«rditionheavenly fruit or birth, when all the time of your life you have grown in the anger of God, in the abyss of hell : No ; that is deceit, thou deceivest thyself.