10. When we consider ourselves rightly, in this knowledge, we see clearly, that hitherto we have been locked up, and led as it were blindfold; and it is even the wise of this world, who have shut and barred us up in their art and reason, so that we must [be tied to] see with their eyes, both in philosophy and theology.
11. And this spirit, which hath so long led us captive, may well be called the Antichrist. I find no other name, in the light of nature, by which I can call it, but the Antichrist in Babel.
12. Observe it well, and you shall see it riding; it shall rightly be shewn to you, you need no spectacles, or academy [to see it withall]: It rideth over the whole world, in all corners, cities, towns and villages, over body and soul: and therefore the angel in the Revelation biddeth us, Go out from it.
13. It is so proud, that it rideth aloft over heaven and earth; yea, over the Deity: it is [like]
a king [or queen] riding over the Principle of this world, and over hell. But whither wilt thou ride, thou proud woman? When this Principle breaketh, thou art then without God, with all devils. Why dost thou not stay here among the children?
14. O Adaml if thou hadst not mounted upon the proud beast, thou hadst remained with the children of God in paradise: "What doth it avail thee, thou that ridest in a strange Principle, over God? Were it not better for you to be in God? What availeth your astral wit, that you ride as your own god in pride? You ride merely in death: Who will bring you out from thence, if you light not off from your beast? There is none, neither in heaven nor in this world, that can bring you out from thence, but only a lowly simple slain lamb, who hath not the wisdom of this world. How will you get out, when you ride upon a dragon! The lamb fleeth before thy beast, it will not bring thee into its pasture.
15. If you light off, and pull off your dressing, and go in the form of a child to the lamb, then you may catch it, it goeth willingly with you, if you play like a child with it in simplicity; you must not ride upon it: But if you [offer to] ride upon it, it fleeth from you, and you find not its pasture. Neither can you light off your beast, it will not let you, it holdeth you fast, unless you hear the bleating [or voice] of the lamb; at which the beast trembleth, and falleth to the ground; and then you may flee [or go out from Babel].
If you understand not this, you are held fast by the beast, and you ride in Babel in the confusion.
16. My dear seeking and hungry mind, if you would fain be released from the beast, consider what we here shall shew you; we will not push with horns, and cast you with the dragon into the abyss. Do but light off, and incline your ear to the voice of the lamb; go forth from your outward man, into the inward man, and so you shall come to your true native country, into Paradise.
17. The desirous seekers have found out many difficult things, and brought them to light, and always thought to find the pearl of the creation of this world; and it had been much nearer found, but that the time of the seventh seal or angel was not yet come; the six angels must first sound their trumpets, and pour forth their vials: therefore none should contemn another, for he knoweth not under what voice every one hath been: only that is come to pass, which should come to pass.
18. Yet every one hath been free [or at liberty]
to go out from the seal: for the Sun of Righteousness hath shone, from the east to the west: If any have immersed himself in the darkness, God is not to be blamed for it.
19. The law of God, and also the way to life, is written in our hearts: It lieth in no man's supposition and knowing, nor in any historical opinion, but in a good will and well-doing. The will leadeth us to God, or to the devil; it availeth not whether thou hast the name of a Christian, salvation doth not consist therein.
20. A Heathen and a Turk is as near to God, as thou, who art under the name of Christ: if
10. When we consider ourselves rightly, in this knowledge, we see clearly, that hitherto we have been locked up, and led as it were blindfold; and it is even the wise of this world, who have shut and barred us up in their art and reason, so that we must [be tied to] see with their eyes, both in philosophy and theology.
11. And this spirit, which has so long led us captive, may well be called the Antichrist. I find no other name, in the light of nature, by which I can call it, but the Antichrist in Babel.
12. Observe it well, and you shall see it riding; it shall rightly be shown to you, you need no spectacles, or academy [to see it withall]: It rids over the whole world, in all corners, cities, towns and villages, over body and soul: and therefore the angel in the Revelation bidds us, Go out from it.
13. It is so proud, that it rids aloft over heaven and earth; yea, over the Deity: it is [like]
a king [or queen] riding over the Principle of this world, and over hell. But whither will you ride, you proud woman? When this Principle breaks, you art then without God, with all devils. Why do you not stay here among the children?
14. O Adaml if you had not mounted upon the proud beast, you had remained with the children of God in paradise: "What does it avail you, you that ridest in a strange Principle, over God? Were it not better for you to be in God? What avails your astral wit, that you ride as your own god in pride? You ride merely in death: Who will bring you out from thence, if you light not off from your beast? There is none, neither in heaven nor in this world, that can bring you out from thence, but only a lowly simple slain lamb, who has not the wisdom of this world. How will you get out, when you ride upon a dragon! The lamb fles before your beast, it will not bring you into its pasture.
15. If you light off, and pull off your dressing, and go in the form of a child to the lamb, then you may catch it, it goes willingly with you, if you play like a child with it in simplicity; you must not ride upon it: But if you [offer to] ride upon it, it fles from you, and you find not its pasture. Neither can you light off your beast, it will not let you, it holds you fast, unless you hear the bleating [or voice] of the lamb; at which the beast trembls, and falls to the ground; and then you may flee [or go out from Babel].
If you understand not this, you are held fast by the beast, and you ride in Babel in the confusion.
16. My dear seeking and hungry mind, if you would fain be released from the beast, consider what we here shall show you; we will not push with horns, and cast you with the dragon into the abyss. Do but light off, and incline your ear to the voice of the lamb; go forth from your outward man, into the inward man, and so you shall come to your true native country, into Paradise.
17. The desirous seekers have found out many difficult things, and brought them to light, and always thought to find the pearl of the creation of this world; and it had been much nearer found, but that the time of the seventh seal or angel was not yet come; the six angels must first sound their trumpets, and pour forth their vials: therefore none should contemn another, for he knows not under what voice every one has been: only that is come to pass, which should come to pass.
18. Yet every one has been free [or at liberty]
to go out from the seal: for the Sun of Righteousness has shone, from the east to the west: If any have immersed himself in the darkness, God is not to be blamed for it.
19. The law of God, and also the way to life, is written in our hearts: It lies in no man's supposition and knowing, nor in any historical opinion, but in a good will and well-doing. The will leads us to God, or to the devil; it avails not whether you have the name of a Christian, salvation does not consist therein.
20. A Heathen and a Turk is as near to God, as you, who art under the name of Christ: if
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