Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
16. 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weakness 1 might J fall into the anger of God, and thereby the light 3 all evil affections or oi my knowledge might be withdrawn trom me, practices of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.
18. 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 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.
*" writing for them, but I shut and lock up my book
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.
19. 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
.
16. Seeing the love of God has 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 wills that all men
XXviii THE THREE PRINCIPLES
should be helped, and wills not the death of a sinner, but that he return, come to him, and live in him eternally ; for whose sake he has 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 dwells in this miserable, corrupted house of flesh, than to learn to know himself : Now when he knows himself aright, he knows also his Creator, and all the creatures too : Also he knows how God intends towards him, and this knowledge is the most acceptable and pleasant to me that ever I found.
18. 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 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.
*" writing for them, but I shut and lock up my book
the devil does, 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 has 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.
19. 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 has bestowed, with the increase or use, and give it to him that has 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 has 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 continues 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 spreads 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
.