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.

CHAP. V. Why the Wicked convert not. What the most smarting thing in Conversion is, &c.

1. THE wicked multitude, have the Noble Jewel hidden in them in the Di∣vine Principle, and can, very well, go forth with their VVill-Spirit into the VVill of God; but, the self-honouring life-pleasing them so well, that they

obstinately let the fierce wrath hold them. Gods Spirit desireth the Soul, setting its Magia towards it, the Soul needs only to open the Door and it goet•• volun∣tarily in.

2. But the most smarting bitter thing in Conversion is, to break the Will-spirit from the Earthy substance, and its Treasure [the beloved Lusts and Self] and from falshood; by sincere, earnest turning about of the Will into Gods Love, which is the Divine Mystery, that Gods Spirit may blow up the Divine sparkle. And this must be, or he is but a Bestial Man, a Jugler, and near to the Devil. And after this time, there is no remedy more; for the Souls Fire is naked, and cannot be quenched with Gods Meekness, but a Gulph or Principle is between them.

3. Man is the Image of God, and so standeth in a threefold Life, the first is the Souls Life, existing chiefly in seven Forms according to the Spirit of Nature. The second is, in the Image generated out of the Eternal Nature, out of the Souls Fire, standing in the Light: The meek pure, amiable Spirit. The first the Fire, is the cause of the second the Light. Thus are two Worlds, one in another, on•• not comprehending the other: But at Death, divides into two Principles of Anger and Love.

4. As we in Adam went out of the Meek Spirit into the outward Life of fierce∣ness God became Man, to lead us through the Anguish Fire, through Death, into the Light and Love-life.

5. The Prince Christ breaking the Bar or Fort of Death, and so destroy'd the Devils Kingdom; for the Light of God, and the Water of Meekness, is his Death.

6. The third Life is the outward Created Life, from the Sun, Stars and Ele∣ments Man should have used the outward, as a Looking-glass to the Eternal, and Gods Honour: But he did put his Will-spirit into the outward Principle, by wicked Lust longing after the Earthy Life, and so went out of Paradise, which sprouteth through Death into the second Principle, and went into Death, and destroy'd his Noble Image. This we Inherit from Adam; but from the second Adam, the Regeneration, by which we must enter (through his Incarnation) with him into Death, and through Death, [or Annihilation] sprout into the Paradisical World, into the Eternal Substantiality of the Liberty of God.