If we be earnest and watchful in our fight, we shall be victorious over the first death, and on such the second death can have no power, which is the effect of the judgment: But having overcome that; then, when Christ who is our life (in the faith of the Son of God) shall appear, we shall also appear with him in glory.
How excellent a thing is it now, to understand the things expressed in the Holy Scriptures, that they may not be a dead letter having no comfort in them, for none can rejoice to die except he feel the virtue of the life of Christ, killing sin in the mortal flesh; for therefore we must serve the Lord with fear and rejoice in him with trembling, because it it not safe for us to have our outward spirit wherein is the life of sin to rejoice without trembling. How cheerful would men be in soul and conscience, to run the ways of God's commandments, if they had killed sin, that they might rejoice to die; and so were filled with assured hope to enjoy the crown of victory which is laid up for them, and which Christ, through whom we have victory, shall give us.
How does it comfort an afflicted soul to consider, that afflictions, though they be grievous for a time, are not to be compared with the eternal joys that are laid up for us. But if the transcendent sayings of the holy Apostles and Prophets be not understood, they are but dead to us and so are we to them.
To conclude, let the reader know that more than half this book was translated into English by my dear kinsman, Mr John Ellistone, who departed this life at Gestingthorp in the county of Essex, on the 22nd of August 1652, about one of the clock in the morning: and so went into the mystery, where his soul enjoys the fruits of his labours of love, which those shall also do that walk in the same path, and I among the rest may in my appointed time be found in Christ worthy and capable to come to the innumerable company of angels, though now I deserve to be accounted
One of the unworthiest of the children of men,
JOHN SPARROW.
De Mysterio Magno
OF THE
GRAND MYSTERY
THAT IS
Of the Manifestation of the Divine Word through the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
The First Chapter
What the Manifested God is: and of the Trinity
1. IF we would understand what the new birth is, and how it is brought 1 to pass, then we must first know what man is, and how he is the image of God; and what the divine indwelling 2 is; also what the revealed God is; of whom man is an image.
2. When I consider what God is, then I say, He is the One; in reference to the creature, as an eternal Nothing; he has neither foundation, beginning, nor abode; he possesses nothing, save only himself; he is the will of the abyss; he is in himself only one; he needs neither space, nor place; he begets himself in himself; from eternity to eternity; he is neither like nor resembles any thing; and has no peculiar place where he dwells; 3 the eternal wisdom or understanding is his dwelling; he is the will of the wisdom; the wisdom is his manifestation.
3. In this eternal generation we are to understand three things, viz. 1. An eternal will. 2. An eternal mind of the will. 3. The egress 4 from the will and mind, which is a spirit of the will and mind.
4. The will is father; the mind is the conceived 5 of the will, viz. the seat or habitation of the will, or the centre to something; and it is the will's heart; and the egress of the will and mind is the power and spirit.
1 Wrought, or effected.
2 Or how God dwells in man, and fills all things with his presence.
3 Or no sundry habitation above the stars in an empyrean heaven, as reason fancies.
4 Efflux, effluence, the proceeding-forth.
5 Comprehension or receptacle.
5. This threefold 1 spirit is one only essence, and yet it is no essence, but the eternal understanding, an original of the something:
If we be earnest and watchful in our fight, we shall be victorious over the first death, and on such the second death can have no power, which is the effect of the judgment: But having overcome that; then, when Christ who is our life (in the faith of the Son of God) shall appear, we shall also appear with him in glory.
How excellent a thing is it now, to understand the things expressed in the Holy Scriptures, that they may not be a dead letter having no comfort in them, for none can rejoice to die except he feel the virtue of the life of Christ, killing sin in the mortal flesh; for therefore we must serve the Lord with fear and rejoice in him with trembling, because it it not safe for us to have our outward spirit wherein is the life of sin to rejoice without trembling. How cheerful would men be in soul and conscience, to run the ways of God's commandments, if they had killed sin, that they might rejoice to die; and so were filled with assured hope to enjoy the crown of victory which is laid up for them, and which Christ, through whom we have victory, shall give us.
How does it comfort an afflicted soul to consider, that afflictions, though they be grievous for a time, are not to be compared with the eternal joys that are laid up for us. But if the transcendent sayings of the holy Apostles and Prophets be not understood, they are but dead to us and so are we to them.
To conclude, let the reader know that more than half this book was translated into English by my dear kinsman, Mr John Ellistone, who departed this life at Gestingthorp in the county of Essex, on the 22nd of August 1652, about one of the clock in the morning: and so went into the mystery, where his soul enjoys the fruits of his labours of love, which those shall also do that walk in the same path, and I among the rest may in my appointed time be found in Christ worthy and capable to come to the innumerable company of angels, though now I deserve to be accounted
One of the unworthiest of the children of men,
JOHN SPARROW.
De Mysterio Magno
OF THE
GRAND MYSTERY
THAT IS
Of the Manifestation of the Divine Word through the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
The First Chapter
What the Manifested God is: and of the Trinity
1. IF we would understand what the new birth is, and how it is brought 1 to pass, then we must first know what man is, and how he is the image of God; and what the divine indwelling 2 is; also what the revealed God is; of whom man is an image.
2. When I consider what God is, then I say, He is the One; in reference to the creature, as an eternal Nothing; he has neither foundation, beginning, nor abode; he possesses nothing, save only himself; he is the will of the abyss; he is in himself only one; he needs neither space, nor place; he begets himself in himself; from eternity to eternity; he is neither like nor resembles any thing; and has no peculiar place where he dwells; 3 the eternal wisdom or understanding is his dwelling; he is the will of the wisdom; the wisdom is his manifestation.
3. In this eternal generation we are to understand three things, viz. 1. An eternal will. 2. An eternal mind of the will. 3. The egress 4 from the will and mind, which is a spirit of the will and mind.
4. The will is father; the mind is the conceived 5 of the will, viz. the seat or habitation of the will, or the centre to something; and it is the will's heart; and the egress of the will and mind is the power and spirit.
1 Wrought, or effected.
2 Or how God dwells in man, and fills all things with his presence.
3 Or no sundry habitation above the stars in an empyrean heaven, as reason fancies.
4 Efflux, effluence, the proceeding-forth.
5 Comprehension or receptacle.
5. This threefold 1 spirit is one only essence, and yet it is no essence, but the eternal understanding, an original of the something:
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