66. He can do nothing in this world, in the external [part], unless the turba Magna in the wrath of God be kindled, and there he is busy, especially when the elements are kindled [or inflamed] with tempestuous storms [of thunder and lightning] ; and then if the anger of God burneth therein, there he is a busy executioner; if he could ruin the whole world he would do it; but he hath no further room than the fierce wrath in the turba affordeth him; The turba [plague, vengeance and destruction]
is his master, he is but a juggler and destroyer, so far as the anger in the turba is kindled.
67. Know also, that the devil often striveth and fighteth with the angels; and when the soul is careless and secure, he setteth upon it strongly: but he is held off, that he cannot do what he will; but so soon as the soul imagineth, and is captivated by the lust, [like Adam and Eve ], then the devil overcometh; but then again so soon as the soul casteth away that evil lust, [and entereth into repentance], then he is driven away by the angels.
68. And there is a continual strife about the soul of man; God desireth to have it; the devil also would have it; and the cause of this is, that the two kingdoms part in the cross: the one is the love of God, the kingdom in Ternario Sancto, viz. the angelical one: and the other is the fierce wrath out of the centre of nature, which is the anger and severity [or sharpness] of God.
69. And therefore it is that God manifesteth his will to us, and setteth before man light and darkness; he may endeavour after which he will: And that we might know that God would have the soul into his holy kingdom, he affordeth us teaching and instruction, and sheweth us the way to life [or light] ; he stirreth up by his spirit highly worthy teachers, who are the light of the world, that men might beware of his anger and fierce wrath, and not awaken it in themselves.
70. For the anger must indeed be in every life,
[as the gall in living creatures] ; but where the love and meekness prevail over it, it is not manifested in eternity, but is only a cause of the life; for in the love, the anger maketh great exulting joy and paradise. The anger [or Mars] in the kingdom of God is the great wondrous joy, where nothing of the anger is perceived. As weeping and laughing come from one place, and the weeping is turned into joy; after such a manner is it with the love and anger of God.
71. Therefore it is, that Christ so earnestly teacheth us love, humility, and mercifulness; and the cause why God is become man, is for our salvation and happiness sake, that we should not turn back from his love: God hath spent his heart that we might be his children, and remain so eternally; when there was no remedy, neither in heaven nor in this world, then he moved himself for man's sake, that he might be delivered from the devil, and from his anger [into which he was fallen in Adam ],
72. Therefore, dearly beloved children, do not so reject and cast from you the love and grace of God, else you will lament it in eternity; for after this time [of the temporary life] there is no more
66. He can do nothing in this world, in the external [part], unless the turba Magna in the wrath of God be kindled, and there he is busy, especially when the elements are kindled [or inflamed] with tempestuous storms [of thunder and lightning] ; and then if the anger of God burns therein, there he is a busy executioner; if he could ruin the whole world he would do it; but he has no further room than the fierce wrath in the turba affords him; The turba [plague, vengeance and destruction]
is his master, he is but a juggler and destroyer, so far as the anger in the turba is kindled.
67. Know also, that the devil often strives and fights with the angels; and when the soul is careless and secure, he setts upon it strongly: but he is held off, that he cannot do what he will; but so soon as the soul imagines, and is captivated by the lust, [like Adam and Eve ], then the devil overcoms; but then again so soon as the soul casts away that evil lust, [and enters into repentance], then he is driven away by the angels.
68. And there is a continual strife about the soul of man; God desires to have it; the devil also would have it; and the cause of this is, that the two kingdoms part in the cross: the one is the love of God, the kingdom in Ternario Sancto, viz. the angelical one: and the other is the fierce wrath out of the centre of nature, which is the anger and severity [or sharpness] of God.
69. And therefore it is that God manifests his will to us, and setts before man light and darkness; he may endeavour after which he will: And that we might know that God would have the soul into his holy kingdom, he affords us teaching and instruction, and shows us the way to life [or light] ; he stirrs up by his spirit highly worthy teachers, who are the light of the world, that men might beware of his anger and fierce wrath, and not awaken it in themselves.
70. For the anger must indeed be in every life,
[as the gall in living creatures] ; but where the love and meekness prevail over it, it is not manifested in eternity, but is only a cause of the life; for in the love, the anger makes great exulting joy and paradise. The anger [or Mars] in the kingdom of God is the great wondrous joy, where nothing of the anger is perceived. As weeping and laughing come from one place, and the weeping is turned into joy; after such a manner is it with the love and anger of God.
71. Therefore it is, that Christ so earnestly teaches us love, humility, and mercifulness; and the cause why God is become man, is for our salvation and happiness sake, that we should not turn back from his love: God has spent his heart that we might be his children, and remain so eternally; when there was no remedy, neither in heaven nor in this world, then he moved himself for man's sake, that he might be delivered from the devil, and from his anger [into which he was fallen in Adam ],
72. Therefore, dearly beloved children, do not so reject and cast from you the love and grace of God, else you will lament it in eternity; for after this time [of the temporary life] there is no more
No commentary for this page.
There is commentary on page 1.