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 BeuMen’s Writings. 123

Now though none can fay how high the eighth fphere is, much lefs the infinity beyond or without it; yet every one can meafure his own heighth, being really part of it. So that as far as can be reached by fo vile a nothing, fome particle of the aby{s of grace may be ftammered out, and happily fome affiftance may be given thereby to thofe enquirers, whofe inward fenfes fhall be opened in fome degree to receive fuch fublime truths, and whofe fpirit fhall be humbled to the lowly manner they are exhibited.

All knowledge not leading us humbly towards Jefus Chrift, is ignorance; and, compared with the light fet up in us by him, is blacknefs : compared with the virtue of that light, is dung: with the holinefs and purity of it, is filthineis: With the order thereof, is confufion and amufement of fpirit: and compared with the benefit and utility of the glorious light of Chrift, is meer lofs of precious time. _ !

We have in the precedent difcourfe beheld (in fome meafure) the fhameful ftate into which Adam declined, by the lofs of the divine virgin of God’s wifdom, with whom he fhould always have lived in puri-

ty;