The epistles of Jacob Behmen, aliter, Teutonicus philosophus very usefull and necessary for those that read his vvritings, and are very full of excellent and plaine instructions how to attaine to the life of Christ / translated out of the German language.

THE TWO AND THIRTI∣ETH EPISTLE.

Our Salvation consisteth in the effectuall working Love of Jesus Christ within Us.

1. MY very loving, and Christian Friend; I wish you the highest Peace with the hearty Love of a fellow-member of Christ work∣ing in the desire, that the true Sunne of the effectuall love of Jesus Christ may continually arise and shine in your Spirit, Soule, and Body.

2. Your Letter dated the 24. of Janu∣ary, I received 14. dayes after Easter; rejoycing to see in it, that you are a thirsty, fervent, and desirous, Searcher, and Lover of the true ground [of the knowledge of Di∣vine Mysteries] which I perceive you have sought, and searched for with diligence.

3. But that my writings are come to your hands and please you, is certainly caused by the appointment of God; who bringeth lovers to [that which they love,] and often useth strange means whereby he satisfyeth the desire of them that love a thing; and feedeth them with his gifts, [and graces] and putteth an Ens of the true fire into their love that it may burne aright, and you may rest assured that if you continue your constancy in love to truth, that it will open re∣veale and manifest it selfe to you in its flameing love; and make it selfe certainly knowne; but the searching of it must be begun aright; for we attain not the true ground of Divine knowledge by the sharpe searching, and speculation of our reason from without; but the searching most begin from within in the hunger of the soule, for rea∣son penetrateth no further then its owne† Astrum of the outward World, from whence reason hath its Originall.

4. But the soule searcheth its owne Astrum, Viz. In the in∣ward

spirituall World from whence this visible World hath its rise efflux, and production, and wherein its ground [and foundation] standeth.

5. But if the soule would search its own Astrum [or Spirituall con∣stellation] Viz. the grand Mystery [or the eternal divine nature] it must first wholly yeild up all its power, and its will to the divine love and grace; and become as a child, and turne it selfe to its Centre; by repentance, and desire to doe nothing but that onely which the spi∣rit of God is pleased to search by it, [or employ it about.]

6. And when it hath thus yeelded, and resigned up it selfe, seek∣ing nothing but God, and its owne Salvation; and also how it may serve, and love its neighbour; and doth then finde in it selfe a desire to have Divine, and also naturall knowledge; it may assure it selfe, that it is then drawn [and inclined] to it by God; and then it may well search and finde the deepe ground that is mentioned in my Writings.

7. For the spirit of God searcheth by that soule; and bringeth it at length into the depths of the deity, as Saint Paul saith, the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep thinge of God.

8. Loving Sir, it is a simple childlike way that leadeth to the high∣est wisedome, the World knowes it not; you need not seek for wise∣dome in remote places or Travaile into strange Countries for it; she standeth at the doore of your soule and knocketh; and if shee shall but finde an empty resigned free place in the soule, shee will there reveal her selfe indeed; and rejoyce therein more then the Sun in the Elements; if the soule yeeld it selfe up to wisedome for a full possession; then shee penetrates it with her flaming fire of love and unlocketh all Mysteries to the soule.

9. Sir you may perhaps wonder, how a plain lay man could come to understand such high Mysteries, having never read them, nor heard them from any man; but loving Sir I tell you, that which you have seen in my Writings, is but a glimps of the Mysteries, for a man cannot write them; if God should account you worthy to have the light enkindled in your soul, you would see, tast, smel, feel, and heare, unspeakable words of God, concerning this knowledge; and there is the true Theosophicall School of Pentecost where the soule is taught† of God.

10. After this there is no more any need of searching, and painful toiling [about it] for all gates stand open; a very simple mean man may attaine it, if he hinders not himselfe by his owne willing [Imaginations] and running; for it lyeth in man before hand, and needeth onely to be awakened [stirred up or quickned] by the spi∣rit of God

11. In my Talent [or Writings] (as in my simplicity I was a∣ble

to describe it) you shall easily finde the way to it; especially in this annexed. Booke, which also is of my Talent; and but few Weekes agoe was published in print, which Sir I present to you in love; as to my Christian fellow-member, and exhort you to read it over often for its vertue is, the more the better liked, [or the long∣er the better beloved] in this Booke you will see a true short ground, acd it is a sure ground, for the Author in this practice hath found it so by experience.

12. But for the ground of the high Naturall Mysteries; which you and M. Walter, & M. Leonhart Elvern desire a further, & clearer explanation of; be pleased to enquire of M. Walter for it; for I have sent to you and him an explanation and other new Writings; if you shall like them you may cause them to be copyed out, you will finde very great knowledge in them, I would that all of you ••ight truely understand it, I would faine have made it more plain; but in respect of the great depth; and also in regard of the unworthy, it may not be done; Christ saith Math 7. 7. Seek and you shall finde; knock and it shall he open∣ed unto you, none can give it unto another Every one must get it himselfe of God; one may well give a manuduction, or direction to another; but he cannot give him the understanding of it.

13. Yet know that A Lilly blossometh unto you the Northern Countries; if you destroy it not with the sectarian contention of the learned; then it will become a great Tree among you; but if you shall rather choose to contend, then to know the true God, then the ray [or beam of light] passeth by, and hitteth onely some; and then after∣ward you shall be forced to draw water for the thirst of your soules, among strange Nations.

14. If you will take it rightly into consideration, then my Wri∣tings shall give you great furtherance and direction thereto; and the Signate-star above your pole shall help you, for its time is come about [or borne.]

15. I will freely give you what the Lord hath given me, onely have a care, and employ it aright; it will be a witnesse for you, against the mocker; let no man looke upon my person; it is a meer gift of God, bestowed, not onely for my sake, but also for your sake, and all those that shall get to read them.

16. Let no man gaze any longer after the Time; it is already borne [begun or come about] whom it lighteth upon, him it hit∣teth; whosoever waketh, he seeth it; and he that sleepeth seeth it not; the time is appeared, and will soone appeare; he that watch∣eth seeth it; many have already felt it; but there must first a great tribulation passe over, before it be wholy manifest; the cause is, the contention of the Learned; who tread the Cup of Christ under foot, and contend about a Child that never was worse since men

were, this shall be manifest; therefore let no honest man defile himselfe with such contention; there is a fire from the Lord in it, who will consume it; and himselfe reveal the truth.

17. You shall receive of Mr Walter what he hath besides, especial∣ly a table with an Exposition of it; therein the whole ground of all My∣steries is plainely layd downe and so I commend you Sir to the love of Jesus Christ.

Dated, the 20. &c.

Notes

• Or, Living Sparke.
• ☞
• †

  Or, Constel∣lation.
• Mysterium Magnum.
• ☞
• ☞
• †

  From, or by.
• That is, The Book entituled The way to Christ; con∣taining a Trea∣tise of Repen∣tance, Resig∣nation, or Selfe-denyall, and Regene∣ration.
• ☞