Babel, in which we became rich and fat, is become desolate.
THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER
Of the True Knowledge concerning Man
1. We have shewn you, what the essence of all essences is, and what its life and spirit is, and what the matrix of the genetrix is, viz. that it standeth in the eternal willing, and in that eternal willing is the centre of nature, and therein is the Number Three, which is the heart, which manifesteth the eternity in creatures, figures, and similitudes; especially in three kingdoms; viz. the heavenly angelical; and then the hellish fiery diabolical; and thirdly, the substantial kingdom of the out-birth, viz. this world.
2. Now you know very well that the dear man
Moses saith in his first book, [called Genesis], That on the Fifth Day, God created all the living creatures at once: which you are to understand thus; that in one revolution of the earth, God created (out of the earthly great mystery, out of the matrix of the spirit of the earthly property, as an out-birth out of the eternal property), all living creatures, that they should be images and similitudes of the eternal being [ essence or substance ].
3. Now they are indeed created out of the earthly Mysterium Magnum, but yet the spirit there is not so wholly earthly; for it is yet Luna, as we see that the earth standeth next the moon, and [in the circle about] from the moon, and as every circle is, so also is the spirit in its own inclination, and the property of the wheel in that circumference [orb] .
4. Thus the circle between the moon and the earth, is both earthly and lunar; for the moon hath the properties of all the stars, and is as a sack or container of all the properties of the stars, which it continually poureth forth in its circle: for the earth longeth vehemently after the moon, and therefore attracteth the shining and glance of the moon, as also the shining and splendour of the sun: for all things long after the heart, and desire the liberty, that so they may bo, freed from the vanity.
5. Thus the earth, in its longing desire, hath attracted the spirit of the sevenfold wheel, and holdeth that in it as its peculiar matrix of nature, and would always fain awaken in itself the wheel of life; and therefore it wheeleth [turneth] itself about, for it hath both fires, the hot and the cold; and the nethermost always striveth upward towards the sun, for it receiveth virtue and spirit from the sun: and therefore it is so rolled about [turned]; for the fire wheeleth it about: it would fain be kindled, that it might have a life of its own, but though it must remain in death, yet it hath a longing after the upper life, and attracteth the upper life to it, and continually openeth wide its centre, after the sun's tincture and fire.
6. Thus from the longing after the sun, springeth forth the budding and growing out of the earthly matrix: for the essences of the earth climb forth (with the captivated life of the upper centre) always, upward out of the earth, and spread forth themselves into a great tree and stalk: and you see very well, that upon the tree and stalk there groweth a mixed fruit, half earthly, and half according to the upper centre: and the fruit never cometh into a joy [or to perfection], unless it be satiated with the upper [part], and then it is ripe, for it hath attained Venus's body. But as Venus's body is unfixed, and would soon fade, if the sun did not stay it with the virtue of Saturn, so also [it is with the ripe fruit], it is not durable, but soon turns to rottenness: It cannot be preserved [long], because the paradise is out of it.
Babel, in which we became rich and fat, is become desolate.
THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER
Of the True Knowledge concerning Man
1. We have shown you, what the essence of all essences is, and what its life and spirit is, and what the matrix of the genetrix is, viz. that it stands in the eternal willing, and in that eternal willing is the centre of nature, and therein is the Number Three, which is the heart, which manifests the eternity in creatures, figures, and similitudes; especially in three kingdoms; viz. the heavenly angelical; and then the hellish fiery diabolical; and thirdly, the substantial kingdom of the out-birth, viz. this world.
2. Now you know very well that the dear man
Moses says in his first book, [called Genesis], That on the Fifth Day, God created all the living creatures at once: which you are to understand thus; that in one revolution of the earth, God created (out of the earthly great mystery, out of the matrix of the spirit of the earthly property, as an out-birth out of the eternal property), all living creatures, that they should be images and similitudes of the eternal being [ essence or substance ].
3. Now they are indeed created out of the earthly Mysterium Magnum, but yet the spirit there is not so wholly earthly; for it is yet Luna, as we see that the earth stands next the moon, and [in the circle about] from the moon, and as every circle is, so also is the spirit in its own inclination, and the property of the wheel in that circumference [orb] .
4. Thus the circle between the moon and the earth, is both earthly and lunar; for the moon has the properties of all the stars, and is as a sack or container of all the properties of the stars, which it continually pours forth in its circle: for the earth longs vehemently after the moon, and therefore attracts the shining and glance of the moon, as also the shining and splendour of the sun: for all things long after the heart, and desire the liberty, that so they may bo, freed from the vanity.
5. Thus the earth, in its longing desire, has attracted the spirit of the sevenfold wheel, and holds that in it as its peculiar matrix of nature, and would always fain awaken in itself the wheel of life; and therefore it wheels [turns] itself about, for it has both fires, the hot and the cold; and the nethermost always strives upward towards the sun, for it receives virtue and spirit from the sun: and therefore it is so rolled about [turned]; for the fire wheels it about: it would fain be kindled, that it might have a life of its own, but though it must remain in death, yet it has a longing after the upper life, and attracts the upper life to it, and continually opens wide its centre, after the sun's tincture and fire.
6. Thus from the longing after the sun, springs forth the budding and growing out of the earthly matrix: for the essences of the earth climb forth (with the captivated life of the upper centre) always, upward out of the earth, and spread forth themselves into a great tree and stalk: and you see very well, that upon the tree and stalk there grows a mixed fruit, half earthly, and half according to the upper centre: and the fruit never comes into a joy [or to perfection], unless it be satiated with the upper [part], and then it is ripe, for it has attained Venus's body. But as Venus's body is unfixed, and would soon fade, if the sun did not stay it with the virtue of Saturn, so also [it is with the ripe fruit], it is not durable, but soon turns to rottenness: It cannot be preserved [long], because the paradise is out of it.
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