6. In which devoration of the fire of anger the love-ens, in the word of faith, of divine power, viz. the true man created in Adam, must be formed, and also preserved in this devouring fire; as gold or silver in the crucible, where the copper, and all that is impure, purges 2 from it, and only the gold or silver subsists in the fire. So likewise the human assumed ownhood, together with the assumed ens of the serpent and beast; and all whatsoever subsists not in the divine fire, must be consumed in the offering. And that we might have again, in Christ's person, a wholly pure entrance and open fountain of grace,
1 Text, image. 2 Evaporates.
Christ must offer up our human will of self to his Father, and resign it up to him wholly, and that, upon the mount Moriah; that is, in his death, where he, for (2 Cor. v. 15) all, and in all, should die to the human selfhood. Even as when the stock of a tree dies, then also all its branches in it do die;l and as the tree does renew its youthful growth, it also introduces its new power and strength into its branches; which indeed is not possible to the outward nature, but in God it is very possible, as may be seen in the dry rod of Aaron, which was dead to its sap and life, and yet in one night sprang forth afresh, and bare fair almonds.
7. Now said God: Upon the mountain which I shall show you. That is, it must not be done according to Adam's will; also it must not be done in us according to our will, as if we should prescribe to ourselves where and how we would offer up ourselves in Christ to the Father, as Babel does. No, but upon the mountain; that is, on the place, in the property, and in the death, as the Lord appoints, orders, and sends it to us. We must be only obedient with Abraham, and give up ourselves willingly thereunto, when he will have us offer unto himself; not whip, beat, and plague ourselves, but only sink with our will into him, and wait till the Lord shows us the place, where and how he will have us offer unto him. We must give up unto him our whole heart and will, with body and soul, and commit it to him what he will further do with us; where he, in the type 2 of Jesus Christ, will offer us according to the body. And when the Lord calls us to the offering with his cross, or will offer us up to the temporal death, then we should say with Abraham: Lo! here am I, Lord. Do what you pleasest.
8. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled 3 his ass, and took with him two young men, and Isaac his son, and clave wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him (Gen. xxii. 3).
This figure stands thus:
When the voice of God calls us, then we should with Abraham go presently: for early in the morning signifies here, when the voice breaks forth as the dawning of the day; when God in us calls us. When man has a thought come into him, saying, you should return, amend, and truly repent; then it is time. He must forthwith girt his ass, viz. the bestial man with power. Although he [the bestial
1 Note. -How Christ's death was effectual to all men.
2 Image, or likeness. 3 Text, girt.
man] cries, Stay yet a while, it is time enough tomorrow; yet it should be done presently, in the first look of the will to God. For this is the hind which is hunted early in the morning, as the prophetical spirit prophesies: for Christ must girt this ass early, with the voice of God, and go to the offering.
9. And the two young men which Abraham took along with him
6. In which devoration of the fire of anger the love-ens, in the word of faith, of divine power, viz. the true man created in Adam, must be formed, and also preserved in this devouring fire; as gold or silver in the crucible, where the copper, and all that is impure, purges 2 from it, and only the gold or silver subsists in the fire. So likewise the human assumed ownhood, together with the assumed ens of the serpent and beast; and all whatsoever subsists not in the divine fire, must be consumed in the offering. And that we might have again, in Christ's person, a wholly pure entrance and open fountain of grace,
1 Text, image. 2 Evaporates.
Christ must offer up our human will of self to his Father, and resign it up to him wholly, and that, upon the mount Moriah; that is, in his death, where he, for (2 Cor. v. 15) all, and in all, should die to the human selfhood. Even as when the stock of a tree dies, then also all its branches in it do die;l and as the tree does renew its youthful growth, it also introduces its new power and strength into its branches; which indeed is not possible to the outward nature, but in God it is very possible, as may be seen in the dry rod of Aaron, which was dead to its sap and life, and yet in one night sprang forth afresh, and bare fair almonds.
7. Now said God: Upon the mountain which I shall show you. That is, it must not be done according to Adam's will; also it must not be done in us according to our will, as if we should prescribe to ourselves where and how we would offer up ourselves in Christ to the Father, as Babel does. No, but upon the mountain; that is, on the place, in the property, and in the death, as the Lord appoints, orders, and sends it to us. We must be only obedient with Abraham, and give up ourselves willingly thereunto, when he will have us offer unto himself; not whip, beat, and plague ourselves, but only sink with our will into him, and wait till the Lord shows us the place, where and how he will have us offer unto him. We must give up unto him our whole heart and will, with body and soul, and commit it to him what he will further do with us; where he, in the type 2 of Jesus Christ, will offer us according to the body. And when the Lord calls us to the offering with his cross, or will offer us up to the temporal death, then we should say with Abraham: Lo! here am I, Lord. Do what you pleasest.
8. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled 3 his ass, and took with him two young men, and Isaac his son, and clave wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him (Gen. xxii. 3).
This figure stands thus:
When the voice of God calls us, then we should with Abraham go presently: for early in the morning signifies here, when the voice breaks forth as the dawning of the day; when God in us calls us. When man has a thought come into him, saying, you should return, amend, and truly repent; then it is time. He must forthwith girt his ass, viz. the bestial man with power. Although he [the bestial
1 Note. -How Christ's death was effectual to all men.
2 Image, or likeness. 3 Text, girt.
man] cries, Stay yet a while, it is time enough tomorrow; yet it should be done presently, in the first look of the will to God. For this is the hind which is hunted early in the morning, as the prophetical spirit prophesies: for Christ must girt this ass early, with the voice of God, and go to the offering.
9. And the two young men which Abraham took along with him
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