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

34 ' Of eternal Nature after

both ? what is their birth or offspring ? why is it not fo with the beatts ?

25. My dear Reader, if you be able, anfwer this queftion. Look into the deep, the ftars, the elements, in all living creatures, plants, trees, metals, ftones, alfo in heaven and earth, you will not find ic. Now you will fay, where then thall I find it? Indeed I cannot fo much as lend you the key that will lead you to it. But I will direct you where you fhall find it; it lies in the third chapter of the eyangelift St. John, in thefe words, ** You mutt be “ born anew by water, and by the Holy «‘ Ghoft.” This Spirit is the key, when you attain it, receive it, and go before the firft principle, and open the firft root, from which this world and all vifible and fenfible things did fpring.

26. But you will fay this is only God, and he is a {pirit, and has created all things out of nothing. It is very true, he is a fpirit, and in our fight he is as nothing: and if we had not fome knowledge of him by the creation, we fhould know nothing of him at all; and if he had not been from all eternity, there could nothing have ever

been, 27. But

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