116. Seeing the love of God hath favoured me substance of
with this knowledge, I will set it down in writing stances; not
for a Memorial or remembrance to myself, because
we live in this world in so great danger between
heaven and hell, and must continually wrestle with
the 3 devil, if perhaps through weakness 1 might J
fall into the anger of God, and thereby the light 3 all evil
affections or
oi my knowledge might be withdrawn trom me, practices of
... , the devil in
that it may serve me to recall it to memory, and the anger of
raise it up again ; for God willeth that all men
XXviii THE THREE PRINCIPLES
should be helped, and willeth not the death of a
sinner, but that he return, come to him, and live
in him eternally ; for whose sake he hath suffered
his own Heart, that is, his Son, to become man,
that we might cleave to him, and rise again in
him, and [departing] from our sins and enmity,
or contrary will, be new-born in him.
17. Therefore there is nothing more profitable
to man in this world, while he dwelleth in this
miserable, corrupted house of flesh, than to learn
to know himself : Now when he knoweth himself
aright, he knoweth also his Creator, and all
the creatures too : Also he knoweth how God
intendeth towards him, and this knowledge is
the most acceptable and pleasant to me that
ever I found.
218. But if it should happen, that these writings
should come to be read ; and perhaps the Sodomitish
world, and the fatted swine thereof, may light
upon them, and root in my garden of pleasure,
who cannot know or understand anything, but to
'Or disput*; scorn, scandalize, reproach, and * cavil in a proud
always argu- .
ing, without haughty way, and so know neither themselves,
looking after , . , ., , .
the salvation uor bod, much less his children ; 1 intend not my
*" writing for them, but I shut and lock up my book
with a strong bolt or bar, from such idiots and wild
heifers of the devil, who lie over head and ears
in the devil's murdering den, and know not them2 Or school- selves. They do the same which their 2 teacher
master.
the devil doth, and remain children of the severe
PREFACE XXIX
anger of God. But I will here write plainly and
clearly enough for the children of God. The world
and the devil may roar and rage till they come
into the abyss ; for their hour-glass is set up, when
every one shall reap what he hath sown : and the
hellish fire will sting many a one sufficiently for
his proud, spiteful, and despising haughtiness,
which he had no belief of while he was here in
this life.
319. Besides, I cannot well neglect to set this
down in writing, because God will require an
account of every one's gifts, how they have
employed them ; for he will demand the talent
which he hath bestowed, with the increase or use,
and give it to him that hath gained much : But
seeing I can do no more in it, I commit it to
his will, and so go on to write according to my
knowledge.
20. As to the children of God, they shall perceive and comprehend this my writing, what it is,
for it hath a very convincing testimony, it may i A ^j that
be proved by all the creatures, yea in all things,
especially in man, who is an image and similitude ^t
of God: But it continueth hidden and obscure
ing ; but by
the children of malignity or iniquity, and there earliest re'
J J. J ' pentance,
is a fast l seal before it ; and though the devil f**ti*s>
watching,
disrelish the smell and savour, and raise a storm praying,
knocking, and
from the east to the north, yet there will then, seeking in the
sufferings of
in the wrathful or crabbed sour tree, grow a lily Jeaus Christ
J by the Holy
with a root as broad as the tree spreadeth with Ghost.
XXX
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
its branches, and bring its scent and smell even
into paradise.
21. There is a wonderful time coming. But
because it begiimcth in the l night, there are many
.
The source text as printed, transcribed diplomatically. Where the source language uses a non-Latin script that reaches us only through a Victorian romanisation, this layer is labelled transliteration, because that is what we hold.