A compendious view of the grounds of the Teutonick philosophy : with considerations by way of enquiry into the subject matter and scope of the writings of Jacob Behmen, commonly called, the Teutonick philosopher : also several extracts from his writings and some words used by him explained

Of Jacos Benmen’s Writings. 59

fecond Adam, whereunto he was generated. Be it faid, forafmuch as by his departure he is fo far degenerated, that his foul by a willing captivity is under the rage of the firft four {pirits, from whom the light is withdrawn. His fpirit that was a meek divine ruler, has loft its dominion to fo great a degree of fiercenefs, that the aftral rule all. His body, which was formed out of the one pure element, out of which element came alfo the four, and was to nave been a perpetual figure of the holy third principle, as his foul and {pirit were of the firft and fecond; and which body of his fhould have eaten paradifical food, but is now a captive under the four elements in fo great rigour and vilenefs, that nature fhanies at its beaftiality, while-thus it travels through forrow, pain and fhame, to the duft, although the foul and fpirit may here be baptized and regenerated.

And becaufe the fruit cannot be brought back to the tree, but the apple “muft firft perifh, and the feed in it firft die, as does the grain of corn before it increafe; therefore the foul and fpirit muft alfo die the my ftical death (that is) to its ftrange will,

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