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

32 Of eternal Nature after

and fpringing of every thing, and that therein lies its beauty and pleafant welfare. Now look upon an herb or plant, and confider what is its life which makes it grow, and you fhall find in the original, harthnefs, bitternefs, fire, and water, from whence proceeds the pleafant {mell and colours, for if it be fevered from its own mother that generated it at the beginning, then it remains dead.

22. Thus you fee that there is an eternal root which affords this, and muft be a principle, which the ftock itfelf js not, and that principle has its original from the light of nature.

23. Now look a little further, upon the human life ; you neither fee, find, nor apprehend any more by your outward eyes, than flefh and blood, wherein you are like other beafts; you alfo find the elements of air and fire mingle themfelves and work in you, and that it is but an animal and beaftial life, for every beaft has the fame in it, from whence proceeds the luft to fill themfelves, and to propagate: (as have all plants, herbs, and grafs) and yet you find no true underftanding in all thefe living creatures, for although the ftars or con-

ftellations