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.

5. Men may as Ambassadors declare their Lord's terms of Reconciliation in general to all, and they may ratifie Peace with particular Persons, if they are di∣rected by the unerring Spirit of God to discern them from all others: but Samuel himse••f was mistaken by the goodly Presence of David's elder Brother: Such an Error in this Case may both invalidate the Absolution and Shipwrack the Man into a Lethargy, Presumptuous Dream, Slumber, or translate him to Fools Paradise.

6. And it may be doubted this discriminating Eye is dimn or shut when the Con∣comitants disappear; for now the glorious Effusion of the Holy Ghost enabling to take up Serpents, drink any deadly thing, heal the Sick, eject Devils, Prophesie, speak with new Tongues, are all controverted as a misunderstood History, rather than to be things practicable by the Pretenders to that great work of Pardon.

7. Let it not therefore be thought a designed Sacriledge of part of Ecclesiastical Authority, to warn all to see they have salt in themselves, and not be led by the Eyes of others, and those also Eyes confessedly defective. But that the Apostles did this, was because they had an open Door into Hearts, that could see who was in the Gall of Bitterness, and who had Faith to be Healed: so infallible was their

deep penetration, whereas the now Pretenders have their own Hearts shut against them, and many ('tis to be feared) themselves fetter'd in the Bonds of Iniquity.

8. I compare the Apostles continuation in the Lord's Work of remitting after his departure, to Joshuah succeeding Moses, who passed the Tribes through Jordan as Moses had done through the Sea, but the succeeding Judges (though Prophets) did not so, and the Allusion so fits, as the one is the plain figure of the other.

9. He that converteth a Sinner from the Error of his ways, shall save a Soul from death, and cover a multitude of Sins. As many therefore as God useth for Instruments of Converting Sinners so many Absolvers, Remitters, Pardoners and Coverers of Sins are there; yet not one of them is so, but God alone enkindles his Candle, and puts a Treasure in such Earthen Vessels, sometimes by Preaching the Gospel, which who so reject, do reject the Council of God against themselves. Some others are used by holy Conversation to the same end; so is the unbelieving Husband by the believing Wife, &c. Some by faithful Monitions. Some by patient and constant Suffering. But many by Writing (according to the measure of Grace vouchsafed) which is a loud way of Preaching, ringing to the largest distance of the habi∣table Earth, and living to the longest space of time it self: opening Heaven to several Nations and Ages, influencing dark Souls, and subjecting them to the Scepter of Jesus Christ.

10. All these and the like blessed ways, doth God the Holy Ghost consecrate and sanctifie to touch and change Hearts; these are the Keys, the Evangelical Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, to unlock Imprison'd Souls. But if any pretend to have Keys to open Heaven to the Unregenerate Man, the old unchang'd Nature, and to bring the Serpentine Man in, as once the Serpent entred Eden; those are Thieves, and their Keys, Picklocks, Heaven is exempt and above them that would break through, and enter not in by the Door.

Notes

• Mark 16. 17. 18.
• Jam. 5. 20.
• Acts 1. 38.