that may mistake this text, as the spirit sheweth me, therefore you must know, that when the soul is born anew, in the Word and in the spirit of Christ (in this [life] time), then also the first substantiality (viz. the inward body of the soul, which Adam had in Paradise) out of the eternal virgin (wherein he was created man) becometh new born, and getteth the flesh of Christ.
77. This new body, in which the new regenerate soul sticketh, sticketh in the old corrupt flesh, and is incomprehensible and immortal: But the Old Man [which is] conceived from the spirit of this world, must perish in the earth: It goeth into its mother, who must bring it forth, and present it at the Last [Judgment] Day: but after the sentence of Christ, it goeth into the ether, and is only as a figure to [for or before] the eternal New Man; for in that figure all a man's works follow him.
78. So also they that be alive at the hour of the last Judgment, the Old Man will fall away from them, with the perishing of the world, and pass into the ether: For all the bodies of the wicked shall be presented there in the mother, viz. in the spirit of this world; and the souls shall hear the sentence: and then their bodies also pass away with the mother, and stand as a. figure: and their works follow them into the Abyss.
THE NINTH CHAPTER
Concerning the Threefold Life. Also of the Inclination [Driving or impulsion ] and whole Government of Man in this World.
Highly to be Considered.
1. IT is shewn to me, what the devil's intention is, how he will endeavour to smother these high and precious writings: therefore be watchful, ye children of God, believe not the sophisters too much, who cry out, heretic! heretic! To the fire with them. That is not the voice of the Holy Ghost, but the voice of the Antichrist, and of the dragon: for these writings will exceedingly discover the devil's smoking pit; and not only so, but they shew also the whore of Babel very plainly, like a whore put to open shame.
2. But (because the men of the spirit of this world take care only for their belly, and are loth to lose their honour, credit, reputation and goods, but had rather part with God and the kingdom of heaven) we shall be persecuted by the whore through the instigation of the devil: therefore be watchful, ye children of God, and look not upon that which is high, and hath great authority; but regard the wellfare of your souls. This we leave you for the last [farewell] .
3. Christ saith, No one kindleth a light, and setteth it under a cover, or under a bushel, but setteth it upon a table, that all that are in the house may see by the light thereof. Thus must we also do, and must not bury our talent (which is so dearly bestowed upon us) in the earth; for we must give an account thereof at the Day of the Judgment of God, as the spirit of the mother intimateth to us.
4. If this knowledge [or understanding] of this spirit shall happen to fall upon any, they will be then certain what it is. We need no letters of commendation; Christ is our letter of commendation, which is sufficient for us. None ought to call themselves after my name: All of us that know Christ, put on him, and are members of his body: we call ourselves Christians and children of God, and brethren and sisters one of another.
5. Therefore now, when we consider the dominion [or course] of our life, we find a powerful strife therein, which the devil hath with the soul, and also which the spirit of this world hath with the soul. For there is a knowledge in the spirit of this world; indeed there is no divine understanding in it, but there is an apprehension planted in the matrix, viz. in the centre of nature.
6. For this world, before the creation, stood from eternity in the eternal wisdom, as an invisible figure, and is now created as a proper Principle of its own, to the end that it might bring all its wonders and works into essence, that they may appear in their figure after the time [of this world] .
that may mistake this text, as the spirit shows me, therefore you must know, that when the soul is born anew, in the Word and in the spirit of Christ (in this [life] time), then also the first substantiality (viz. the inward body of the soul, which Adam had in Paradise) out of the eternal virgin (wherein he was created man) becomes new born, and getts the flesh of Christ.
77. This new body, in which the new regenerate soul sticks, sticks in the old corrupt flesh, and is incomprehensible and immortal: But the Old Man [which is] conceived from the spirit of this world, must perish in the earth: It goes into its mother, who must bring it forth, and present it at the Last [Judgment] Day: but after the sentence of Christ, it goes into the ether, and is only as a figure to [for or before] the eternal New Man; for in that figure all a man's works follow him.
78. So also they that be alive at the hour of the last Judgment, the Old Man will fall away from them, with the perishing of the world, and pass into the ether: For all the bodies of the wicked shall be presented there in the mother, viz. in the spirit of this world; and the souls shall hear the sentence: and then their bodies also pass away with the mother, and stand as a. figure: and their works follow them into the Abyss.
THE NINTH CHAPTER
Concerning the Threefold Life. Also of the Inclination [Driving or impulsion ] and whole Government of Man in this World.
Highly to be Considered.
1. IT is shown to me, what the devil's intention is, how he will endeavour to smother these high and precious writings: therefore be watchful, you children of God, believe not the sophisters too much, who cry out, heretic! heretic! To the fire with them. That is not the voice of the Holy Ghost, but the voice of the Antichrist, and of the dragon: for these writings will exceedingly discover the devil's smoking pit; and not only so, but they show also the whore of Babel very plainly, like a whore put to open shame.
2. But (because the men of the spirit of this world take care only for their belly, and are loth to lose their honour, credit, reputation and goods, but had rather part with God and the kingdom of heaven) we shall be persecuted by the whore through the instigation of the devil: therefore be watchful, you children of God, and look not upon that which is high, and has great authority; but regard the wellfare of your souls. This we leave you for the last [farewell] .
3. Christ says, No one kindls a light, and setts it under a cover, or under a bushel, but setts it upon a table, that all that are in the house may see by the light thereof. Thus must we also do, and must not bury our talent (which is so dearly bestowed upon us) in the earth; for we must give an account thereof at the Day of the Judgment of God, as the spirit of the mother intimats to us.
4. If this knowledge [or understanding] of this spirit shall happen to fall upon any, they will be then certain what it is. We need no letters of commendation; Christ is our letter of commendation, which is sufficient for us. None ought to call themselves after my name: All of us that know Christ, put on him, and are members of his body: we call ourselves Christians and children of God, and brethren and sisters one of another.
5. Therefore now, when we consider the dominion [or course] of our life, we find a powerful strife therein, which the devil has with the soul, and also which the spirit of this world has with the soul. For there is a knowledge in the spirit of this world; indeed there is no divine understanding in it, but there is an apprehension planted in the matrix, viz. in the centre of nature.
6. For this world, before the creation, stood from eternity in the eternal wisdom, as an invisible figure, and is now created as a proper Principle of its own, to the end that it might bring all its wonders and works into essence, that they may appear in their figure after the time [of this world] .
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