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

20 - Of the manifold engendering

3. For though I fhould {peak or write never fo much of the fall, and alfo of the regeneration in Chrift; and did not come 10 the root and ground, what the fall was, and by what it was we came to perifh, and what that property is which God abhors, and how that was effected, contrary to the command and will of God; what fhould I underftand ? juft nothing! and then how thould I fhun or avoid that which I have no knowledge of: or how fhould I endeavour to come to the new birth, and give myfelf up into it; if I know not how, wherein, nor wherewith to do it.

4. It is very true, the world is full of books, of the fall, and of the new birth, But in moft part of the books of theology, there is nothing but the hiftory, and that we fhould be regenerated in Chrift, but what do I underftand from hence? nothing: but only from the hiftory, thar fuch a thing has been done, and done

again, and ought to be done.

5. The minifters of antichrift fet themfelves with might and main, by perfecution, and reproach, againft them that fearch into the deep grounds; and fay, that men muft not dare to fearch, nor curioufly pry

into