Forty questions of the soul concerning its original, essence, substance, nature or quality and property, what it is from eternity to eternity : framed by a lover of the great mysteries, Doctor Balthasar Walter, and answered in the year 1620 / by Jacob Behme, called Teutonicus Philosophus ; Englished by John Sparrow ...

The Two and Thirtieth Question. (Book 32)

What other Form, State and Con∣dition, Joy, and Glory, there will be, to Souls, in that other Life. (Book 32)

1. IN this Question Paradise is to be Con∣sidered by us: For this outward World with its Fruits and Colours hath been a Figure Type or Resemblance of Paradise, for Paradise was in us, and the Outward Spirit robbed us of it, and drew us into it self; when Adam lusted after that, then his lust laid hold of him:

2. But now we shall be in Paradise a∣gain, and Eternally Rejoyce therein, and enjoy the fair bright springing of all man∣ner of Flowers and variety of Forms, as also of Trees and Herbs, and all sorts of Fruits; but not so Earthly, Thick or Gross and Palpable:

3. For our Bodies shall not be so, how then shall the Substance of Paradise be so? All is Angelical: Those Fruits are all

Clearer and Subtiler, then the outward Elements now are: we shall have no in∣trails into which we shall need to stuff our stomacks as here in this sack of Worms or Carcass: but all is in power and vertue, we eat in the Mouth, not into the Belly, we shall not have need of Teeth to Chew with, all is vertue and power, and yet in a right and true natural form and shape with clear bright Colours.

5. Also † 1.1 the Kingdom of Heaven consisteth not in Eating and Drinking, but in Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit, with singing and sound∣ing forth God's Deeds of Wonder, con∣cerning the Corporiety of Paradise.

6. We lead there a Childs Life, and like them when they rejoyce and are chearly upon a Mount; for then there is no sorrow in our hearts, nor fear of any thing, but a sporting with the Angels:

7. This World will be no more regarded, for all earthly knowledge and skill and thoughts remain in the Turba of the Earth∣ly Body in the Fire.

8. We are concerned no more in know∣ing of our Parents or Children or Friends which are in Hell.

9. But we shall all know one another by Name that are together, though yet the Earthly Name will remain in the Tur∣ba; but we shall have our first Name, a Name according to the Language of An∣gels, which here we do not understand fully; in the Language of Nature we un∣derstand somewhat of it, but we have here no tongue to express it withall.

10. None saith to the other, thou art my Husband, or thou art my VVife, thou art my Sonne, Daughter, Man-Servant or Maid-Servant, all are alike as to that, we are all Children, not Husband nor VVife, Children nor Man-Servants, nor Maid-Servants, but all free, EVERY ONE is ALL; and yet there is but one Sex, viz. Heavenly Virgins, full of Modesty, cha∣stity and purity.

11. We all are God's Spouse and Wife, he is our Husband, he soweth his power and vertue into us, and we generate or bring forth to him, praise and honour:

12. There are also Dancings round and Singings, as Children use to do, which take hands and sing, and dance a Ring to∣gether.

13. All Art will not be regarded: but

know, that those who here have born the Mystery, and have had it opened to them, they have great Ingenuity or Wis∣dom and understanding above others, and exceed others.

14. Indeed not in Contention & Doctrine, but their Wisdom beginneth all manner of Exercise out of the Mystery, so that the joy is stirred up; for as Children run to∣gether when one beginneth to sport, so al∣so here.

15. And little Children are our School-Masters, before they Meddle with Evil, that the Turba Magra the Great Turba layeth hold of them, for they bring their sport with them out of their Mothers Womb, which is partly from Paradise, else all is lost, till we attain that again.

16. A King avails no more there then a Begger: if he hath ruled well, then his vertue followeth him; and he will have Clory of it in the Majesty, for he attaineth a bright Glorification, as a Shepherd over his Sheep.

17. But if he hath been Evil, and yet at last become converted, and enter in as it were by a Threed, then his Kingly Royal Works remain in the Fire, and here he will avil no more then a Beggar;

who hath been honest, nor be so beauti∣ous neither.

18. In the works of every one, men will apprehend what every one hath been, when they shall open their Packets and present them in the Heavenly Magia, as the Chil∣dren do in their Sport.

19. Yet know that it will not be a King∣dom of Sport, onely, for Men will speak of God's Wonders and Wisdom, and of the Great Mysteries of the Heavenly Magia; The † 1.2 Song of the Driver will remain to the Scorn and reproach of the Devil, and to the Praise and Glory of God.

20. Yet men will keep somewhat of Hell, but see it no otherwise then in the Magia in the Mystery; for the Devils must dwell in the Darkness, the fierce wrathful Fire in them is their Light, they have Fire-Eyes with which they see, else all Fire is gone, for the Majesty hath diffused it all, that it may burn in Love.

21. Although yet there is Fire in the Center, from whence the Majesty Origi∣nateth, but that will not be afforded the Devils, they will be thrust out into the darkness, † 1.3 where will be howl∣n••g and gnashing of Teeeth, where there is more Frost then Heat.

Notes

• † 1.1

  Rom. 14. 17.
• † 1.2

  Rev. 15. 3.
• † 1.3

  Mat. 8. 12.