Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
[Ch. 5
1 ether in the end of this 2 enumeration, as the
Scripture witnesseth.
11. And then all in this third Principle remaineth again in the first matrix ; only that which hath been sown in this Principle, and that hath its original out of paradise, out of heaven, and out of the second Principle, (viz. man), that continueth eternally in the matrix. And if he have in this [life's] time attained the second Principle, so that he is born therein, it is well with him ; but if he have not, then he shall remain still eternally in the matrix, yet not 3 reach the light of God.
12. Now I know very well, that I shall not only in part be as it were dumb or obscure to the desirous Reader, but also tedious, and he will be somewhat troubled at me, in that I have written of the eternal mother (wherein the divine essence standeth) ; and that I now write, that this matrix is * inanimate and void of understanding, out of which also a Principle void of understanding is generated ; as is plain before our eyes, that in this world there is no true understanding, either in the stars, or in the elements ; and also in all its creatures there is but an understanding to qualify [or to operate], to nourish itself, and to increase, as the matrix in itself is.
13. Hereupon you are to know, that the matrix in the second Principle (which yet hath its original and eternal root in the first Principle) is but merely an eternal, beginningless, soft [or meek] spirit,Ch. 5] OF THE THIRD PRINCIPLE 71 which hath no such fiery intolerable light, but all l Or light that cannot be enthere is pleasant and cheerful, and the eternal dured, as is in
, , i 1 1 r *^e matrix of original matrix is not known there ; but the sott the first light of the Heart of God maketh all courteous and o cheerful.
14. Therefore also the spirit which goeth forth in the soft matrix is the Holy Ghost ; and God dwelleth in himself, and he calleth himself an angry, zealous [or jealous] God, only according to the most original matrix, which is not manifested in paradise ; and in the beginning also it was forbidden to man to eat of the fruit [of] good and evil, from the most original matrix. Neither should man have known this most original matrix, if he had not imagined [thought or longed] after it, and eaten of the fruit thereof, whereby the matrix presently took hold of him, captivated him, [acteth or] qualifieth in him, nourisheth and also driveth him, as is plain before our eyes.
15. And thus you are to know, that the second Principle hath it [in its power], and there only is wisdom and understanding ; also therein now is the omnipotence [almightiness]. And this third Principle is the second's proper own, not separate, but one essence in it [and with it] all over, and yet there is a birth between them, as may be seen by the 2 rich man and Lazarus, the one being in 2 Luke xvi. paradise, and the other in the most original matrix, or hell.
16. And therefore God [created or] generatedp. 72 made known the third Principle, that he might be l manifested menDge by the material world : He having created the angels and spirits in the second Principle in the paradisical world, they could thereby understand
2 generating, the eternal 2 birth in the third Principle, also the begetting. wisdom and omnipotence of God, wherein they could behold themselves, and set their imagination
3 Or into. merely 3upon the Heart of God; in which* form 1 Or condition. ^y couj^ remain m paradise, and continue to be angels ; which the devils have not done, but they meant to rise up in the matrix, and domineer in great power over paradise, and all angelical
8 principal*- 6 regions, upon which they fell out of paradise, and ties, thrones, « . . -,. ,, / 7 \ anddomi- besides were driven out of their place (or Locus) into 6 restraint, so that the matrix of this world also holdeth them captive.
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
[Ch. 5
1 ether in the end of this 2 enumeration, as the
Scripture witnesses.
11. And then all in this third Principle remains again in the first matrix ; only that which has been sown in this Principle, and that has its original out of paradise, out of heaven, and out of the second Principle, (viz. man), that continues eternally in the matrix. And if he have in this [life's] time attained the second Principle, so that he is born therein, it is well with him ; but if he have not, then he shall remain still eternally in the matrix, yet not 3 reach the light of God.
12. Now I know very well, that I shall not only in part be as it were dumb or obscure to the desirous Reader, but also tedious, and he will be somewhat troubled at me, in that I have written of the eternal mother (wherein the divine essence stands) ; and that I now write, that this matrix is * inanimate and void of understanding, out of which also a Principle void of understanding is generated ; as is plain before our eyes, that in this world there is no true understanding, either in the stars, or in the elements ; and also in all its creatures there is but an understanding to qualify [or to operate], to nourish itself, and to increase, as the matrix in itself is.
13. Hereupon you are to know, that the matrix in the second Principle (which yet has its original and eternal root in the first Principle) is but merely an eternal, beginningless, soft [or meek] spirit,
Ch. 5] OF THE THIRD PRINCIPLE 71 which has no such fiery intolerable light, but all l Or light that cannot be enthere is pleasant and cheerful, and the eternal dured, as is in
, , i 1 1 r *^e matrix of original matrix is not known there ; but the sott the first light of the Heart of God makes all courteous and o cheerful.
14. Therefore also the spirit which goes forth in the soft matrix is the Holy Ghost ; and God dwells in himself, and he calls himself an angry, zealous [or jealous] God, only according to the most original matrix, which is not manifested in paradise ; and in the beginning also it was forbidden to man to eat of the fruit [of] good and evil, from the most original matrix. Neither should man have known this most original matrix, if he had not imagined [thought or longed] after it, and eaten of the fruit thereof, whereby the matrix presently took hold of him, captivated him, [acts or] qualifies in him, nourishes and also drivs him, as is plain before our eyes.
15. And thus you are to know, that the second Principle has it [in its power], and there only is wisdom and understanding ; also therein now is the omnipotence [almightiness]. And this third Principle is the second's proper own, not separate, but one essence in it [and with it] all over, and yet there is a birth between them, as may be seen by the 2 rich man and Lazarus, the one being in 2 Luke xvi. paradise, and the other in the most original matrix, or hell.
16. And therefore God [created or] generated
72 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Ch. 5 made known the third Principle, that he might be l manifested menDge by the material world : He having created the angels and spirits in the second Principle in the paradisical world, they could thereby understand
2 generating, the eternal 2 birth in the third Principle, also the begetting. wisdom and omnipotence of God, wherein they could behold themselves, and set their imagination
3 Or into. merely 3upon the Heart of God; in which* form 1 Or condition. ^y couj^ remain m paradise, and continue to be angels ; which the devils have not done, but they meant to rise up in the matrix, and domineer in great power over paradise, and all angelical
8 principal*- 6 regions, upon which they fell out of paradise, and ties, thrones, « . . -,. ,, / 7 \ anddomi- besides were driven out of their place (or Locus) into 6 restraint, so that the matrix of this world also holds them captive.