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.

1. TO the right knowing Christs Incarnation, the Knowledge how Adam was, and whereof made, much importeth.

2. Adam, was made out of all the three Principles. God the Fathers Property, compared to Fire. The Sons Property, compared to Light. The Spirits Proper∣ty, to the Wind or Air, the out-birth proceeding from both. God, according to the first Principle, is not called God, but a consuming Fire.

3. The Father is the Eternal Will, the son the Eternal Meekness and the Im∣pregnator, the Spirit the Eternal Life.

4. The Trinity, Created the one holy Element called Centre of Nature, Di∣vine substantiality, the substantiality of the Light, Paradise, the Mother of a giv∣ing Power, Meekness and Substance to all Forms.

5. Out of this one holy Element, were made Angels and Men. Only Man was made, not only of the one holy Element, but as to the out-birth of the four Ele∣ments also; over which he was to rule both Stars, Elements and Creatures, by his Power given him out of that one holy Element.

6. Adam's Body was Paradisical, Holy, and of Power to penetrate Stone or Earth, Immortal, yet real Flesh and Blood, but Holy and Heavenly: He was both a Masculine and Feminine Virgin, and was to propagate Magically (for both the Tinctures were in him) and to eat only Paradisical Food, which needed nei∣ther Guts not Bestial Draught, &c.

7. But Adam did not continue so; for the four Elements gaining Power over the one holy potent Element, by which they were to have been governed; he slept;

for he was not able to continue in the state wherein he was created; so, God di∣vided the Tinctures, and form'd of the Feminine a Woman▪ giving her the half Cross in the head, and to them the Members of distinction and propagation, yet still in Paradise.

8. And Eve being tempted by the Serpent (tho' the Law of God was explained to her by her Husband) fell, and drew him also.

9. But God had incorporated the Virgin of Wisdom in them, which (viz.) the Eternal Virginity in the Covenant of Promise, hath lain shut up in the Virgin Mary, and in all Adam's Children, in every Man's Light of Life; wanting only this, that the Soul's Spirit give it self up thereinto, and in that Soul-Spirit, God becometh generated again.

CHAP. VIII.

1. FOR, Christ is not become Man in the Virgin Mary only, so that the Divine Substantiality did sit bolted up therein; no, the Divine Substantiality in the Water of Eternal Life, entred into, and became flesh and blood. It made Heavenly Tincture, and Divine Magia.

2. So that we may say, when with our imagination we enter into God, that we enter into God's flesh and blood; for the Word became Man, and God is the Word.

3. This takes not away the Creature of Christ: We liken the Creature of Christ, which is indeed a Body, to the Sun, which enlighteneth the whole Deep; one Power and Lustre receiveth the other. The Deep with its Lustre is hidden, but yet hath the power of the Sun in it.

4. So Christ's Substantiality filleth Heaven and Paradise, and swalloweth up the Earthiness also, where it is received and obeyed.

5. Thus Christ brought back what Adam lost, and much more; for the Word is every where become Man.

See the Extracts of the latter part of the 18th Chapter of the Three Principles.

Notes

• The Trinity made the one Holy Element. Out of it An∣gels. Man not only out of it but out of the four Elements. Male and Fe∣male Tinctures were in A∣dam. The four over which he was to Rule over-powering the one, the Tinctures were divided.
• The Eternal Virgin rein∣corporated.
• Ver. 37.