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

128 Confiderations on the Scope

It fhould be noted, that the Heathen have all of them, the gofpel preached, more or lefs, though obfcurely in them. For as they, without the written law, do the things contained in the law; fo do they, without the written gofpel, partake of the mercy publifhed by the gofpel.

That is, being confcious ‘to themfelves of their faults, they obferve that they receive good for evil, which is the virtue of the fecond principle, or gofpel ot the Word written dn the whole creation, and by the fmiles of the heavens in the fruitful feafons, and in the fuitable productions of the earth. Notwithftanding which, if they harden their hearts, they become finners againft law and gofpel; the law written in their hearts: andthe gofpel fhining in the light of their underftanding : even fo con{picuoufly, that notwithftanding fome of them laughed at the news of the refurrection, we read they were ferious at the tidings of the judgment to come, every one of them having a felf-condemning judge in his bofom. Love is ftrong as death: but this love in Chrift is much ftronger. Sinful and finally impenitent men, hell and devils, only judge

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