Jacob Behmen's theosophick philosophy unfolded in divers considerations and demonstrations, shewing the verity and utility of the several doctrines or propositions contained in the writings of that divinely instructed author : also, the principal treatises of the said author abridged, and answers given to the remainder of the 177 theosophick questions, propounded by the said Jacob Behmen, which were left unanswered by him at the time of his death : as a help towards the better understanding the Old and New Testament : also what man is with respect to time and eternity, being an open gate to the great mysteries / by Edward Taylor ; with a short account of the life of Jacob Behmen.

Q. 17. Whence, and wherefore is there a contrariety, of the Flesh and Spirit?

A. Water is a death to Fire, but the contrariety is not totally such in Man; be∣cause the Light ever causeth the Fire; but rather such as between God and Hell; for the Anger Fire sharpeneth the Divine hiddenness of Gods Eternal Majesty, for it generateth the high Light in the free Liberty, and thus the other, or second World, cometh to be, out of the first. The Soul is the Centre of Nature: The Spirit is the precious Image, tho' not sever'd, as Fire and Light are not sever'd, the Fire is fierce, yet the cause of the Meek Light, and in the Light is the Life.

The contrariety is, that the inward Spirit hath Gods Body, out of the meek substantiality, the outward Spirit hath the great Wonders, which lye in the Arca∣num of the Souls ••ternness; therefore the Love spirit hindereth, that the fierce wrath destroyeth not the Soul b•• inflaming it. The contrariety is, that the in∣ward Spirit would be Lord, and subdue; and the outward would be Lord, say∣ing it hath the Mystery, of which it hath but a Looking-glass.

Seek not the Mystery in the outward Spirit; for there is but a Glimpse; but go into the Cross, and from the Cross, back into the fourth Form, there is Sun and Moon one in another: Bring it into Anguish, into Death. Drive on that Magick Body so far till it be again, what it was before the Centre in the will, and then it is Magical and hungry after Nature, it is a seeking in the Eternal seek∣ing, and would fain have a Body, therefore give him for a Body, Sol, viz. the Soul, and then it will suddenly make it a Body, according to the Soul, for the will sprouteth in Paradise, with very fair Heavenly Fruit, without spot or ble∣mish.

The inward Spirit would have God; the outward would have Bread, which is also good in its place. But beware thou let not the outward Spirit be Lord.

Notes

• The contrarie∣ty is that the inward would be Lord as it ought to be, and the out∣ward would, be Lord th•• it ought not.
• Verse 14. Lapis Philoso∣phorum.