Theologia Germanica.: Or, Mysticall divinitie : a little golden manuall briefly discovering the mysteries, sublimity, perfection and simplicity of Christianity, in belief and practise. Written above 250 years since in high Dutch, & for its worth translated into Latine, and printed at Antwarp, 1558. Whereto is added definitions theologicall and philosophicall. Also a treatise of the soul, and other additions not before printed.

CHAP. LV. How God becometh all things in man.

ALL that is here said belongeth to the outward life, and is a certain way and passage unto the true inward life, and the inward life beginneth according to this: When man would taste that which is per∣fect, as far as may be, all things which are created, and even man himself is brought to nought in this mans opinion: But if it be truly understood, that only perfection is all things, and above all things, then it doth necessarily follow hence, that we do acknowledg every good thing to

belong unto this perfect good, and not to a∣ny creature, as to essence, life, knowledg, sci∣ence, power, &c. then it followeth, that man should arrogate nothing to himself, not life, essence, power, knowledg, doing or not doing; Finally nothing that can be called good: So man becometh poor, and is in himself brought to nothing, also, in him, and with him, every thing that is something, id est, all things created, and then at last existeth the true and inward life, and further, God himself; so that there is nothing more there, which is not God, or belonging to God: Neither is there any thing which doth chal∣lenge or arrogate any thing to it self; so that it cometh to pass that it is God only who liveth, understandeth, is able, loveth, willeth, doeth, or leaveth undone: That is, the eternal and perfect good ought thus to be, and where it is otherwise, there the mat∣ter might be both better and streighter: For a good work and beginning, if care be had that it be the best, becometh most ac∣ceptable, and let the best be chosen and ad∣hered unto, also let man joyn himself to it thing in the creatures? But what is the best thing in the creatures? Surely where the e∣ternal good, and that which is proper unto

it, doth enlighten and work, and where they are most known and loved. And what is that which belongeth to God, and is pro∣per only to him? I say, all that is it, which may be truly and rightly called and named good, when man in the creatures adhereth and cleaveth so to that which is known to be the best, as that he remaineth stedfast, and flyeth not back; then it comes to pass that he attaineth to something which is better then it, so far forth, until man perceive and understand, that that only eternal and per∣fect good is unmeasurable, infinite, and to be esteemed above all created goodness.