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

112 Confiderations on the Scope

Adam into a deep fleep; took from him a rib: of that made a woman. What a ftrange change fee we, fo vaft, fo fudden an alteration !

Was Adam good: perfeétly fo: to walk with God like a god, in a heavenly or paradifical ftate for ever? Wants he a help, by fubftraction to receive addition?

Will any one penetrate into this: to them, or him be it faid: Seeing Adam would not ftir up both the tinétures, which in great might were united in him; but would be an angel, to remain barren as they. Whereas he as a center or fountain, fhould have ftreamed out a new race ; therefore the gracious Creator let him fleep as one in a {woon, then divided from him the female tincture and the leffér part of his effence or ftrength, fignified by a rib, which is part of the outguard of the internal organs of life, and therewith built a fhe man, or woman.

Now come we to the degrees by which man declined.

The firft {tep muft be his not exerting, executing and exercifing the power his gracious Creator invefted him with.

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