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Though it be true (to speak in General) that the final cause and end for which all creatures, and conse∣quently Eternal Nature was brought forth, is the Good pleasure and will of God, according as the Holy Scrip∣ture in many places teacheth. Ephes. 1.9. According to
the Good pleasure of his will purposed in himself: again vers. the 11. Who worketh all things according to the plea∣sure of his own will; Rev. 4.11. And for thy pleasure all things were created. Yet where it pleaseth God to re∣veal the grounds and reasons of his creating will, we may then look into them, and consider of them.
XXIII. The first end why Eternal Nature was produ∣ced, was for manifestation, that the Triune Deity might manifest themselves, and together with themselves the still Eternity; this was the reason why the Trinity raised in themselves an Eternal Will, for the producti∣on of Eternal Nature, that they might no longer be hid in their abstracted Nature of pure Spirit and na∣ked Deity.
A second end why Eternal Nature was created, is, that all the glorious attributes of God, his All-sufficiency, Omnipotency, Wisdom, Goodness and Immensity might be displayed, and made known.
A third end was, that all the wonders of the Deity might be manifested and brought into act.
Fourthly, Eternal Nature w•••• produced, that it might be the Subject matter out of which all Creations, and all Worlds should be brought forth: Eternal Nature being the store House of the Holy Trinity wherein all suffici∣ency of instruments and materials required to Creati∣on are treasured up. So that if Eternal Nature, with its Eternal El••ments, forms and working Essences, had not been brought forth by the Trinity, then no Worlds or Creatures had ever been, nor any thing besides the still Eternity, which was contrary to the Will which the Holy Trinity had raised in themselves, to manifest themselve•• by Creation; for the accom∣plishing of which will, Eternal Nature's Essence was produced.
Quest. If you ask me, what moved the Eternal Will of the Trinity to bring forth Eternal Nature in order to Crea∣tion?
Answ. I answer, that it was the Eternal desire of their mind; for from the desiring mind the Eternal Will proceeds.
Quest. If you enquire, what moves the Eternal Mind of the Trinity to desire?
Answ. I answer, the Spirit of Eternity it self.
Quest. But you will say what awakned the first thought in the Spirit of Eternity to create Eternal Na••ure?
Answ. I answer the Divine Magia moved and awa∣kened the Spirit of Eternity to desire; from the desi∣ring mind proceeded the will, and from the will it came to be brought forth into existence by the creating ••••at; which being placed in the Divine Omnipotence brought forth Eternal Nature's Essence out of the Divine Chaos.
Quest. If you ask further, what moved the Eternal Magia of the Holy Trinity to awaken the first motion in the Eternal Spirit to create Eternal Nature with her Elements and working Properties?
Answ. I answer, that none can tell this, but the Spirit of Eternity it self: and therefore here we must rest: becaus we cannot go beyond the first. Hence we may learn that the Spirit of the Holy Trinity is Magical, viz. and that it acts magical. Thus God brought forth the Eternal World, viz. the still Eternity, with all its wonders out of Himself, by Himself and for Himself to dwell in Magically; and after the same manner the Divine Chaos and Eternal Nat•••••• were brought forth. The Spirit of the Holy Trinity doth will desire and act from nothing else but from its pure Magia; for it is not a rational Spirit, but a wise, intelligent Spirit, which wis∣dom and intelligence is grounded in the Divine Magia. There is no use of Reason in the still Eternity; for the Divine Magia supplies its room; neither is reason made
use of in Paradise, nor in the Angelical World, nor in the New Ierusalem, becaus reason belongs only to the Spi∣rit of this outward World: and however enlightned Reason may be exalted by some, yet my Spirit knows it to be an Eternal infallible Truth, that there is no use of Reason but in this Babylonish Principle, and the Kingdom of the beast.
Sixthly, Eternal Nature was brought forth, that it might be a garment of the Holy Trinity, and a vesture wherewith their pure naked Deity might be cloathed upon: for as the Soul is hid and wrapt up in the Body, and the Body in its cloaths; so the Holy Trinity is cover'd and wrapt up in Eternal Nature's Essence, and in the Creatures thence proceeding. Blessed are they who through all these wiles and disguisements can find him, who is the desire of all Nations, who in this Rubbish can find the pearl of price; which yet if we can search deep enough we cannot fail of, for the Ho∣ly Trinity in their pure Deity is the most innermost kernel of all things, being hid under Eternal Nature's Essence and all her working forms and Elements.
Seventhly, Eternal Nature was to be an Habitation for the Holy Trinity. For though the Eternal World be the most glorious Palace of the Deity and the most Holy place, yet it was the will of the Holy Trinity to have the outward Court of Eternal Nature added to it, in which they might dwell, as the Soul in the Body.
Eighthly, Eternal Nature was produced, that it might be a Medium between tw•• extreams, God and the Creature, whereby God ••ight communicate himself to Creatures, and Creatures might have fellowship with him.
Ninethly, Eternal Nature was brought forth, that the Eternal Vnity of the Deity might be display'd in variety, diversity and multiplicity.
Object. But you will say, was there not a variety of properties and attributes in the Deity, even before the birth of Eternal Nature, viz. his Power, Wisdom, Goodness, Mercy, Truth, &c.?
Sol. I answer, that all these perfections are all one in the Deity and make up but one most simple Essence, for else God would be divided in himself, and could not be the supreme Unity and Simplicity, as before hath been proved at large.
But by the Elements and working forms of Eternal Nature, this Unity displays and as it were dissolves and dilates it self into an infinite variety and diversity of Creations, according to the purpose of his Will.
Tenthly, A tenth end was, that the still Divine Essence by entring into the contrariety of Eternal Nature might bring forth the Glory of the Majesty, and triumphing and exulting joy, which were not to be found in the still Eternity, before the working properties of Eternal Na∣ture were brought forth.
Eleventhly, Eternal Nature was brought forth, that it might be the true Primum Mobile, or the first source and spring of all motion and action. For this end it plea∣sed the Trinity to produce this Eternal turning wheel, and indissoluble band of the seven forms of Eternal Nature: for in the still Eternity there is nothing but stil∣ness, quiet and rest: and that such as passeth all the thought and conceptions of Man; and that Spirit only knows it, who hath been taken up into it.
Twelfthly, Eternal Nature was produced, that the one single Essence of the Holy Trinity might be manifested in distinction, according to the distinct Essences and pro∣perties of Eternal Nature. Thus the Father is mani∣fest in Fire, the Son in Water, the Holy Ghost in Air. Thus you see how the Holy Trinity may be di∣stinguish'd from one another in Eternal Nature's Es∣sence.
Thirteenthly and Lastly, Eternal Nature was produ∣ced, that all the Ideas forms and patterns in the Divine Mind might become actual and substantial, which could not be brought to pass in the still Eternity, nor without the working properties of Eternal Nature, which do bring all that into act and existence which in the Divine Will and Mind, is only in purpose and Idea. And thus much concerning the ends for which Eter∣nal Nature was created by God.
Having hitherto discoursed of what Eternal Nature is, I shall next come to shew you (according to my method propounded at the beginning of this third part.)