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. 117

third principle became dark and opake : his ftrength became bones: his tincture in part extinguifhed, the reft of it became beaftial, mortal: the properties of it became enemicitious, and then muft he have guts and a draught to eject the putrifying elemental food. The aftral world alfo drew and inclined him as their various wreftling got predominance.

The tree and fruit, was no better nor worfe than what we have, but alike unfuitable to him, as hot or cold poifon is to us: Their fallen ftate as iadly altered, as ifa man who fhould rule over the beafts, fhould, (as Nebuchadnezzar) have a beaft’s heart and organs given him; for they regarded not that God’s ftrict and earneft command had inhibited and forewarned them from tafting of it.

For the food ordained for them had the properties in perfeét harmony; no curfe, mortality, ficknefs, forrow, care, pain ; not the leaft appearance of evil, but of the one holy element purely paradifical, and whereof they might be able to live eternally. It was the quinteffence and divine word fubftantiated, fuch food as feeds the bleffed in the refurre¢ction. &

They