24. For by the concubine of Christ, the churches, the Babylonish tower of the high schools and universities is built; and from thence come the confused languages,2 so that Christ is not understood in his children. When they, in the simplicity of Christ, declare and expound the visions of Joseph [the Mysteries of Christ's kingdom], then these strange languages despise it, for they have gotten upon the tower other languages, from the compaction of the sensual tongues, where every sense of the literal spirits has brought itself into a form of a several peculiar tongue or speech.
1 Or, for the knowledge of his visions.
2 The confusion of several opinions and conceits in men's minds.
25. And the height of the tower gives the difference or distinction of speech to this sensual tongue, so that they do not understand one another in their understanding [or ground of their meaning]. Which height signifies the pride of self-love, from which the five vowels do hide themselves, so that they understand not the power of God (Matt. xxii. 29) in God's children, in the simplicity of Joseph, but call him a dreamer) an expounder of signs, a schismatic, a phantastical fellow, an enthusiast and a fool.
26. Thus, in the room and place of our Adamical guilt and crime,
Christ is despised in his children; and thus Christ fulfills the righteousness of God (Matt. iii. 15) in his children; and hereby the old man is also mortified. And it is well for the Christian Joseph that it goes thus with him, for otherwise he would not be thrown into the world's pit, and be sold to the Midianites, that he might come to Pharaoh, and there become a prince.
27. Therefore a Christian must not be grieved and perplexed at the hatred of his brethren (in that they hate Joseph), but rather think with himself: O! that you also were cast into Joseph's pit, that you might thereby be brought away from the house of sin, and come likewise into Joseph's prison, that so you might have cause to fly from the world; and that this prince (that gives Joseph to understand the divine visions in his word of power) might be also manifest and born under the banner of Christ's cross; that in you also the divine chastity of Joseph (the pure Christian virginity) might be manifested, that you likewise might obtain such a godly, chaste heart. This ought to be the wish and will of a Christian, and not that he may become great by means of the tower of Babel in the strange languages; of whose difference and several variety the height [of the tower], viz. pride, is the author and cause; so that men will not understand one another in love, meekness, humility, and in the simplicity of Christ, in whom notwithstanding we live and have our being (Acts xvii. 28).
28. Therefore, O you poor, confused and distracted Christendom, you are bidden and entreated, by the affliction of Joseph, to see from whence your affliction and misery comes: from no whither else, save only from the hatred of your brethren, which also are in Christ's line, as Joseph's brethren. Observe it aright, your wound and hurt, your misery and affliction, does come only from the tower of Babel, from the titles, dignities and preferments of your brethren, who, in their pride of the confused tongues, are entered into self-love. Observe it, I beseech you: all strife, division and contention in the world arises from thence.
29. But you say, This tower [does advance me to honour and esteem, and] makes me high [and rich]; so that I, by means of the strange languages [of my literal endowments and scholastic learning], can ride over Joseph, and am able to bind him, so that he must lie in the pit; and thus I am lord in Christ's kingdom upon the earth.
30. Hearken, and mark it. We have heard a watchman say, The Midianites come and take Joseph with them, and bring him unto Pharaoh. And there your unfaithfulness and unrighteousness shall be discovered. How will you then stand before the face of Joseph ? The time is nigh at hand.
31. Or do you think that the aflliction of Joseph shall not be
24. For by the concubine of Christ, the churches, the Babylonish tower of the high schools and universities is built; and from thence come the confused languages,2 so that Christ is not understood in his children. When they, in the simplicity of Christ, declare and expound the visions of Joseph [the Mysteries of Christ's kingdom], then these strange languages despise it, for they have gotten upon the tower other languages, from the compaction of the sensual tongues, where every sense of the literal spirits has brought itself into a form of a several peculiar tongue or speech.
1 Or, for the knowledge of his visions.
2 The confusion of several opinions and conceits in men's minds.
25. And the height of the tower gives the difference or distinction of speech to this sensual tongue, so that they do not understand one another in their understanding [or ground of their meaning]. Which height signifies the pride of self-love, from which the five vowels do hide themselves, so that they understand not the power of God (Matt. xxii. 29) in God's children, in the simplicity of Joseph, but call him a dreamer) an expounder of signs, a schismatic, a phantastical fellow, an enthusiast and a fool.
26. Thus, in the room and place of our Adamical guilt and crime,
Christ is despised in his children; and thus Christ fulfills the righteousness of God (Matt. iii. 15) in his children; and hereby the old man is also mortified. And it is well for the Christian Joseph that it goes thus with him, for otherwise he would not be thrown into the world's pit, and be sold to the Midianites, that he might come to Pharaoh, and there become a prince.
27. Therefore a Christian must not be grieved and perplexed at the hatred of his brethren (in that they hate Joseph), but rather think with himself: O! that you also were cast into Joseph's pit, that you might thereby be brought away from the house of sin, and come likewise into Joseph's prison, that so you might have cause to fly from the world; and that this prince (that gives Joseph to understand the divine visions in his word of power) might be also manifest and born under the banner of Christ's cross; that in you also the divine chastity of Joseph (the pure Christian virginity) might be manifested, that you likewise might obtain such a godly, chaste heart. This ought to be the wish and will of a Christian, and not that he may become great by means of the tower of Babel in the strange languages; of whose difference and several variety the height [of the tower], viz. pride, is the author and cause; so that men will not understand one another in love, meekness, humility, and in the simplicity of Christ, in whom notwithstanding we live and have our being (Acts xvii. 28).
28. Therefore, O you poor, confused and distracted Christendom, you are bidden and entreated, by the affliction of Joseph, to see from whence your affliction and misery comes: from no whither else, save only from the hatred of your brethren, which also are in Christ's line, as Joseph's brethren. Observe it aright, your wound and hurt, your misery and affliction, does come only from the tower of Babel, from the titles, dignities and preferments of your brethren, who, in their pride of the confused tongues, are entered into self-love. Observe it, I beseech you: all strife, division and contention in the world arises from thence.
29. But you say, This tower [does advance me to honour and esteem, and] makes me high [and rich]; so that I, by means of the strange languages [of my literal endowments and scholastic learning], can ride over Joseph, and am able to bind him, so that he must lie in the pit; and thus I am lord in Christ's kingdom upon the earth.
30. Hearken, and mark it. We have heard a watchman say, The Midianites come and take Joseph with them, and bring him unto Pharaoh. And there your unfaithfulness and unrighteousness shall be discovered. How will you then stand before the face of Joseph ? The time is nigh at hand.
31. Or do you think that the aflliction of Joseph shall not be
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