Jacob Boehme's Aurora
Chapter 19: Concerning the Created Heaven, and the Form of the Earth, and of the Water, as also concerning Light and Darkness. Concerning Heaven.
THE true heaven, which is our own proper human heaven, into which the soul goeth when it parteth from the body, and into which Christ our King is entered, and from whence it was that he came from his Father, and was born, and became man in the body or womb of the Virgin Mary, has hitherto been close hidden from the children of men, and they have had many opinions about it.
Also the learned have scuffled about it with many strange scurrilous writings, falling one upon another in calumnious and disgraceful terms, whereby the holy name of God has been reproached, his members wounded, his temple destroyed, and the holy heaven profaned with their calumniating and malicious enmity.
Men have always been of the opinion that heaven is many hundred, nay, many thousand miles distant from the face of the earth, and that God dwelleth only in that heaven.
Some naturalists [scientists] or artists have undertaken to measure that height and distance, and have produced many strange and monstrous devices. Indeed, before this my knowledge and revelation of God, I held that only to be the true heaven, which in a round circumference and sphere, very azure of a light blue colour, extends itself above the stars, supposing that God had therein his peculiar being, and did rule only in the power of his holy spirit in this world.
But when this had given me many a hard blow and repulse, doubtless from the [holy] spirit, which had a great longing yearning towards me, at last I fell into a very deep melancholy and heavy sadness, when I beheld and contemplated the great deep of this world, also the sun and stars, the clouds, rain and snow, and considered in my spirit the whole creation of this world.
Wherein then I found to be in all things, evil and good, love and anger, in the inanimate creatures, viz. in wood, stones, earth and the elements, as also in men and beasts.
Moreover, I considered the little spark of light, man, what he should be esteemed for with God, in comparison with this great work and fabric of heaven and earth.
But finding that in all things there was evil and good, as well in the elements as in the creatures, and that it went as well in this world with the wicked as with the virtuous, honest, and Godly; also that the barbarous people had the best countries in their possession, and that they had more prosperity in their ways than the virtuous, honest and Godly had.
I was thereupon very melancholy, perplexed and exceedingly troubled, no Scripture could comfort or satisfy me, though I was very well acquainted with it, and versed therein; at which time the devil would by no means stand idle, but was often beating into me many heathenish thoughts, which I will here be silent in.
But when in this affliction and trouble I elevated my spirit (for I then understood very little or not at all what it was), I earnestly raised it up into God, as with a great storm or onset, wrapping up my whole heart and mind, as also all my thoughts and whole will and resolution, incessantly to wrestle with the love and mercy of God, and not to give over, until he blessed me, that is, until he enlightened me with his holy spirit, whereby I might understand his will, and be rid of my sadness. And then the spirit did break through.
But when, in my resolved zeal, I gave so hard an assault, storm and onset upon God, and upon all the gates of hell, as if I had more reserves of virtue and power ready, with a resolution to hazard my life upon it, (which assuredly were not in my ability without the assistance of the spirit of God), suddenly, after some violent storms made, my spirit did break through the gates of hell, even into the innermost birth or geniture of the Deity, and there I was embraced with love, as a bridegroom embraceth his dearly beloved bride.
But the greatness of the triumphing that was in the spirit I cannot express, either in speaking or writing; neither can it be compared to anything, but to that wherein the life is generated in the midst of death, and it is like the resurrection from the dead.
In this light my spirit suddenly saw through all, and in and by all the creatures, even in herbs and grass it knew God, who he is, and how he is, and what his will is: And suddenly in that light my will was set on by a mighty impulse, to describe the being of God.
But because I could not at once apprehend the deepest births of God in their being, and comprehend them in my reason, there passed almost twelve years, before the exact understanding thereof was given me.
It was with me as with a young tree that is planted in the ground, and at first is young and tender, and flourishing to the eye, especially if it comes on lustily in its growing: But [it] does not bear fruit at once; and though it blossoms, the blossoms fall off; also many a cold wind, frost and snow pass over it, before it comes to any growth and bearing of fruit.
So also it went with this spirit: The first fire was but a seed, and not a constant lasting light: Since that time many a cold wind blew upon it; but the will never extinguished. 16a. This tree was also often tempted to try whether it would bear fruit, and shew itself with blossoms; but the blossoms were struck off till this very time, wherein it stands in its first fruit, in the growth or vegetation.
From this light now it is that I have my knowledge, as also my will, impulse and driving, and therefore I will set down this knowledge in writing according to my gift, and let God work his will; and though I should irritate or enrage the whole world, the devil, and all the gates of hell, I will look on and wait what the LORD intendeth with it.
For I am much too weak to know his purpose; and though the spirit affordeth in the light to be known some things which are to come, yet according to the outward man I am too weak to comprehend the same.
But the animated or soulish spirit, which qualifieth or uniteth with God, that comprehends it well; but the bestial body attains only a glimpse thereof, just as if it lightened: For thus presenteth itself the innermost birth or geniture of the soul, when it teareth through the outermost birth or geniture in the elevation of the Holy Ghost, and so breaketh through the gates of hell; but the outermost birth presently shuts again; for the wrath of God bolteth up the firmament, and holds it captive in its power.
Then the knowledge of the outward man is gone, and he walketh up and down in an afflicted and anxious birth or geniture, as a woman with child, who is in her travail, and would always fain bring forth her child, but cannot, and is full of throes.
Thus it goeth also with the bestial body, when it has once tasted of the sweetness of God, then it continually hungereth and thirsteth after this sweetness: But the devil in the power of God's wrath opposeth exceedingly, and so a man in such a course must continually stand in an anxious birth or geniture; and so there is nothing but fighting and warring in his births or genitures.
I write this not for mine own glory, but for a comfort to the Reader, so that if perhaps he be minded to walk with me upon my narrow bridge, he should not suddenly be discouraged, dismayed and distrustful, when the gates of hell and God's wrath meet him, and present themselves before him.
When we shall come together over this narrow bridge of the fleshly birth or geniture, to be in yonder green meadow, to which the wrath of God does not reach or come, then we shall greatly rejoice at all our damages and hurts which we have sustained; though indeed at present the world does account us for fools, and we must suffer the devil in the power of God's wrath to domineer, and to rush and roar over us: It should not trouble us, for it will be a more excellent reputation to us in the other life, than if in this life we had worn a royal crown; and there is so very short a time to get thither, that it is not worth the being called a time. Now observe:
If thou fixest thy thoughts concerning heaven, and wouldst fain conceive in the mind what it is, and where it is, and how it is, thou needest not to swing or cast thy thoughts many thousand miles off, for that place, or that heaven, is not thy heaven.
And though indeed that is united with thy heaven as one body, and so together is but the one body of God, yet thou art not in that very place which is become a creature, aloft, many hundred thousand miles off; but thou art in the heaven of this world, which containeth also in it a deep, such as is not of any human number (or is not circumscriptive).
For the true heaven is everywhere, even in that very place where thou standest and goest, and so when thy spirit apprehendeth the innermost birth or geniture of God, and presseth in through the astral and fleshly geniture, then it is clearly in heaven.
But that there is assuredly a pure glorious heaven in all the three births or genitures aloft above the deep of this world, in which God's being, together with that of the holy angels, riseth or springeth up very purely, brightly, beauteously and joyfully, is undeniable, and he is not born of God that denieth it. But thou must know.
That the place of this world with its innermost birth and geniture uniteth or qualifieth with the heaven aloft above us, and so there is one heart, one being, one will, one God, all in all.
But that the place of this world is not called heaven, and that there is a firmament or fast enclosure between the upper heaven above us, has this understanding or meaning, as followeth.
The upper heaven compriseth the two kingdoms, that of Michael, and that of Uriel, with all the holy angels that are not fallen with Lucifer, and that heaven continueth as it was from eternity, before the angels were created.
The other heaven is this world, in which Lucifer was a king, who kindled the outermost birth or geniture in nature; and that now is the wrath of God, and cannot be called God or heaven, but perdition.
Therefore the upper heaven closeth itself so far in its outermost birth or geniture, and reacheth so far as the wrath of God reacheth, and so far as the government or dominion of Lucifer has reached, for the corrupted or perished birth or geniture cannot comprehend the pure.
That is, the outermost birth or geniture of this world cannot comprehend the outermost birth or geniture of heaven aloft above this world, for they are one to the other as the life and the death, or as a man and a stone are one to the other.
Therefore there is a strong firmament or enclosure between the outermost birth or geniture of the upper heaven, and that of this world; for the firmament between them is death, which ruleth and reigneth everywhere in the outermost birth in this world, and this world is so bolted up therewith that the outermost birth of the upper heaven cannot come into the outermost birth of this world; there is a great cleft or gulf between them. Therefore in our outermost birth or geniture we cannot see the angels, neither can the angels dwell with us in the outermost birth of this world; but in the innermost they dwell with us.
And if or as we fight with the devil, they keep off his blows in the innermost birth, and the defence and protection of the holy soul.
Therefore we can neither see nor comprehend the holy angels; for the outermost birth of their body is incomprehensible to the outermost birth or geniture of this world.
The second birth of this world stands in the life, for it is the astral birth, out of which is generated the third and holy birth or geniture, and therein love and wrath strive the one with the other.
For the second birth stands in the seven qualifying or fountain spirits of this world, and is in all places and in all the creatures, as also in man: But the Holy Ghost also ruleth and reigneth in the second birth, and helpeth to generate the third holy birth or geniture.
But this third birth or geniture is the clear and holy heaven, which qualifieth or uniteth with the heart of God without, distinct and above all heavens, as one heart; also they are the one heart, which, as an almighty, incomprehensible God, holdeth and bears up or sustaineth the place of this world, and holdeth the devil captive in the outermost birth in the angerfire.
And out of this heart JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God, in the womb or body of the Virgin Mary, went into all the three births or genitures, and assumed them really, that he might, through and with his innermost birth or geniture, take the devil, death and hell captive in the outermost birth, and overcome the wrath of God, as a king and victorious prince; and, in the power of his geniture or birth in the flesh, press through all men.
And so by this entering of the innermost birth of the heart of the heaven of this world into the astral and outermost, is JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God and of Mary, become the Lord and King of this our heaven and earth, who ruleth and reigneth in all the three births or genitures over sin, the devil, death and hell, and so we with him press through the sinful, corrupted and outermost dead birth or geniture of the flesh, through death and the wrath of God into our heaven.
In this heaven now sitteth our King JESUS CHRIST, at the right hand of God, and encompasseth or surroundeth all the three births, as an almighty Son of the Father, who is present in and throughout all the three births in this world, in all corners and places, and comprehendeth, holdeth and bears up or sustaineth all, as a newborn Son of the Father, in the power, and upon the seat or throne, of the once great, mighty, potent, and now expelled, accursed and damned king Lucifer, the devil.
Therefore, thou child of man, be not discouraged, be not so timorous and despondent; for if thou sowest in thy zeal and earnest sincerity the seed of thy tears, thou dost not sow it in earth, but in heaven; for in thy astral birth thou sowest, and in thy animated or soulish birth thou reapest, and in the kingdom of heaven thou possessest and enjoyest it.
While thou livest in this struggling or striving birth or geniture thou must buckle to, and suffer the devil to ride upon thee; but so hard as he striketh thee, so hard thou must strike him again, if thou wilt defend thyself. For when thou tightest against him, thou stirrest up his wrath-fire, and destroyest his nest, and this is then as a great combustion, and as a great strong battle maintained against him.
And though thy body may suffer pain, yet it is much worse with him when he is vanquished, for then he roareth like a lion that is robbed of her young whelps, for the fierceness and wrath of God tormenteth him; but if thou lettest him lodge within thee, then he grows fat and wanton, and will vanquish thee in time.
Thus thou hast a real description of heaven: And though perhaps thou canst not in thy reason conceive it, yet I can very well conceive it; therefore consider rationally and seriously what God is.
Thou seest in this world nothing but the deep, and therein the stars, and the birth or geniture of the elements: Now wilt thou say, God is not there? Pray then, what was there in that place before the time of the world? Wilt thou say, There was nothing? Then thou speakest without reason, for thou must needs say that God was there, or else nothing would have come to be there.
Now if God was there then, who has thrust him out from thence or vanquished him, that he should be there no more? But if God is there, then he is indeed in his heaven, and, moreover, in his Trinity.
But the devil has kindled the bath or lake of wrath, whence the earth and the stones, also the elements, are become so fluctuating, as also cold, bitter, and hot. And so he has destroyed the outermost birth or geniture.
Whereupon now this treatise, and my whole purpose therein, is to describe how the outermost birth is come to be living and revived again, and how it regenerateth itself again. From thence [the wrath bath] also in the creatures the bestial flesh is come to be; but sin in the flesh is the wrath of God. Another question, which is chiefly treated of in this book, is this, viz. Where then shall the wrath of God come to be? Answer.
Here the spirit answereth, that at the end of the time of this corrupted birth or geniture, after the resurrection from the dead, this place or space where the earth now is will be left to the devil for a propriety or possession and house of wrath, yet not through and in all the three births or genitures, but only in the outermost, in which he now stands: But the innermost will hold him captive in its might and strength, and use him for a footstool, or as the dust under its foot, which innermost birth he will never be able either to comprehend or to touch.
For it has not this understanding or meaning, that the wrath-fire should be extinguished, and be no more; for then the devils also must become holy angels again, and live in the holy heaven; but that not being so, a hole, burrow or dungeon in this world must remain to be their habitation.
If man's eyes were but opened, he would see God everywhere in his heaven; for heaven stands in the innermost birth or geniture everywhere.
Moreover, when Stephen saw the heaven opened, and the Lord JESUS at the right hand of God, there his spirit did not first swing itself up aloft into the upper heaven, but it penetrated or pressed into the innermost birth or geniture, wherein heaven is everywhere.
Neither must thou think that the Deity is such a kind of being as is only in the upper heaven, nor that the soul, when it departeth from the body, goeth up aloft into the upper heaven many hundred thousand miles off.
It needeth not do that, but it is set or put into the innermost birth, and there it is with God, and in God, and with all the holy angels, and can now be above, and now beneath; it is not hindered by anything.
For in the innermost birth the upper and nether Deity is one body, and is an open gate: The holy angels converse and walk up and down in the innermost birth of this world by and with our King JESUS CHRIST, as well as in the uppermost world aloft in their quarters, courts or region.
And where then would or should the soul of man rather be, than with its King and Redeemer JESUS CHRIST? For near and afar off in God is one thing, one comprehensibility, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, everywhere all over.
The gate of the Deity in the upper heaven is no other, also no brighter, than it is in this world: And where can there be greater joy than in that place, where every hour and moment there cometh to Christ beautiful, loving, dear, newborn children and angels, who are pressed or penetrated through death into life?
Doubtless they will have to tell of many fights: and where can there be greater joy, than where, in the midst or centre of death, life is generated continually?
Does not every soul bring along with it a new triumph? and so there is nothing else but an exceeding friendly welcoming and salutation there.
Consider, when the souls of children come to their parents, who in the body did generate them, whether heaven can choose but be there? Or dost thou think my writing is too earthly?
If thou wert come to this window, thou wouldst not then say that it is earthly: And though I must indeed use the earthly tongue, yet there is a true heavenly understanding couched under it, which in my outermost birth I am not able to express, either in writing or in speaking.
I know very well that the word concerning the three births cannot be comprehended or apprehended in every man's heart, especially where the heart is too much steeped, soaked or drowned in the flesh, and bolted or barred up with the outermost birth.
But I cannot render it otherwise than as it is, for it is just so; and though I should write mere spirit, as indeed and truth it is no other, yet the heart understands only flesh.
Concerning the Constitution and Form of the Earth Many authors have written that heaven and earth were created out of NOTHING. But I wonder that, among so many excellent men, there has not one been found that could yet describe the true ground; seeing the same God which now is, has been from eternity.
Now, where nothing is, there nothing can come to be: All things must have a root, else can nothing grow: If the seven spirits of nature had not been from eternity, then there would have come to be no angel, no heaven, also no earth.
But the earth is come from the corrupted Salitter of the outermost birth or geniture, which thou canst not deny, when thou lookest on earth and stones, for then thou must needs say that death is therein: On the other hand also thou must needs say that there is a life therein, otherwise neither gold nor silver, nor any plant, herb, grass or vegetable, could grow therein. Now one might ask, Are there also all the three births or genitures therein? Answer.
Yes: the life presseth through death; the outermost birth is the death; the second is the life, which stands in the wrath-fire and in the love; and the third is the holy life. An Instruction or Information.
The outward earth is a bitter stink, and is dead; and that every man understands to be so. But the Salitter is destroyed or killed through the wrath; for thou canst not deny but that God's wrath is in the earth, otherwise the earth would not be so astringent, bitter, sour, venomous and poisonous, neither would it engender such poisonous, venomous, evil worms and creeping things. But if thou shouldst say that God has created them thus out of his purpose, that is as much as if thou shouldst say that God himself is evil, malice, malignity or wickedness.
Pray tell me, Why was the devil expelled or thrust out? Surely thou wilt say, Because of his pride, in that he would needs be above God. But guess, Sir, with what the devil would be so: What power had he to do it? Here tell me, if thou knowest anything of it; if thou knowest nothing, be silent and attentive.
Before the times of the creation he sat in the Salitter of the earth, when the Salitter was yet thin or transparent, and stood in a heavenly, holy birth or geniture, and he was in the whole kingdom of this world, therein was neither earth nor stones, but a heavenly seed, which was generated out of the seven qualifying or fountain spirits of nature; for in the kingdom of this world sprang up heavenly fruits, forms and ideas, which were a pleasant, delightful food of angels.
But when the wrath did burn in the seed, then the seed was killed and destroyed in death: Yet not so to be understood as if it were therefore altogether quite dead; for how can anything in God die totally, that has had its life from eternity?
But I. The outermost birth or geniture was burnt up, frozen, drowned, stupefied, chilled and stark benumbed.
And III. The third [birth] is generated between the first and the second, that is, between heaven and hell, in the midst or centre of the wrath-fire, and the spirit presseth through the wrath-fire, and generateth the holy life, which stands in the power of the love.
And in this same birth or geniture will those dead arise who have sown a holy seed, and those who have sown in the wrath will arise in the wrath-fire: For the earth will revive and be living again, seeing the Deity in Christ has regenerated it anew again through his flesh, and exalted it to the right hand of God: But the wrath-fire abideth in its own birth or geniture.
But if thou sayest that there is no life in the earth, thou speakest as one that is blind; for thou may see plainly that herbs and grass grow out of it.
But if thou sayest it has but one kind of birth or geniture, thou speakest again also like one that is blind; for the herbs and wood which grow out of it are not earth, neither is the fruit, which grows upon a tree, wood; so also the power and virtue of the fruit is not God either; but God is in the centre, in the innermost birth in all the three natural births or genitures, hiddenly, but is not known, except in the spirit of man alone; also the outermost birth in the fruit does not comprehend, conceive or contain him, but he containeth the outermost birth of the fruit, and formeth it. Another Question is: Why then is the earth so mountainous, hilly, rocky, stony and uneven? Answer.
The hills came so to be in the driving together or compaction: For the corrupted Salitter was more abounding in one place than in another, according as the wheel of God was, as to its innate standing, or instant qualifying or fountain spirits.
For in those places where the sweet water in the standing wheel of God was chief or predominant, there much earthly, comprehensible or palpable water came to be.
But where the astringent quality in the bitterness in Mercurius was chief or predominant, there much earth and stones came to be.
But where the heat in the light was chief or predominant, there much silver and gold, as also some fair, clear stones, in the flash of the light, came to be; but especially where the love in the light was chief or predominant, there the most precious stones or jewels, as also the best, purest and finest gold came to be.
But when the lump of the earth was pressed and compacted together, then thereby the water came to be squeezed and pressed forth: But where the water was enclosed and pressed in with the astringent quality by hard rocks, there it is yet in the earth still, and has since that time worn and made some great holes or veins for its passage.
In those places where there are great lakes and seas, there the water was chief or predominant over that place in that zenith or elevation of the pole; and there not being much Salitter in that place, there came to be as it were a dale or valley, wherein the water remained standing.
For the thin water seeketh for the valley, and is a humility of the life, which did not exalt itself, as the astringent and the bitter qualities, and the fire's quality, have done in those creatures the devils.
Therefore it always seeketh the lowest places of the earth; which rightly signifieth or resembleth the spirit of meekness, in which the life is generated; as you may read concerning the creation of man, as also before, concerning the species or condition of water, meekness, and suchlike qualities. Of Day and Night.
The whole Deity with all its powers and operations, together with its innate or instant being, as also its rising up, penetration, changing and alteration, that is to say the whole machine, fabric and work, or the whole generating or production, is all understood in the spirit of the word.
For in what proportion or harmony soever, or in what innate or instant generating or production of qualities soever, the spirit comprehendeth, conceiveth and formeth the word, and goeth forth therewith, just such an innate or instant birth, penetrating, rising, wrestling and overcoming it has also in nature.
For when man fell into sin, he was removed out of the innermost birth or geniture, and was set or put into the other two genitures, which presently embraced him, and mixed, qualified or united with him and in him, as in their own propriety; and so man instantly received the spirit, and all generatings or productions of the astral birth, and also of the outermost birth or geniture.
Therefore now it expresseth or speaketh forth all words, according to the innate, instant generating or production of nature; for the spirit of man, which stands in the astral birth, and qualifieth or uniteth with the total universal nature, and is as it were the whole nature itself, that formeth the word, according to the innate, instant birth or geniture.
"When the spirit of man seeth anything, then it giveth a name to that thing, according to the qualification or condition of the thing; but if it is to do this, then it must form or frame or put itself also into such a form, and generate itself also, with its tone, sound or articulation, just so as the thing to which it will give a name does generate or compose itself. Herein lies the kernel of the whole understanding of the Deity.
I do not write this, and bring it to light, that others after me should presently fall a writing, and publish the conceits of their own spirit herein, and cry them up for sanctity, or for a holy thing.
Hearken, Friend, there belongeth more than so to this; thy animated or soulish spirit must first qualify, operate or unite with the innermost birth or geniture in God, and stand in the light, that it may rightly know and understand the astral birth or geniture, and that it may have a free and open gate into all the births or genitures; otherwise thou wilt not be able to write a holy and true philosophy, but a philosophy full of lice and fleas, as it were, and so thou wilt be found a mocker against God.
I conceive already that the devil will get many a one to ride upon his proud prancing nag; and many will make themselves ready for the journey before they be well girt [with the girdle of truth]; but I will not bear the blame for that.
For what I here reveal or manifest I must do; for the time of breaking through is at hand: He that will now sleep, the stormy tempest of the fierceness will rouse him.
But now, that every one might have a care of his affairs and doings, I would have men faithfully warned, according to the impulse, driving and will of the spirit. Observe:
The writer, Moses, saith, [Gen. i.] God separated the light from the darkness, and called the light day, and the darkness night, so out of evening and morning the first day came to be.
But seeing these words, evening and morning, are contrary to the current of philosophy and reason, therefore it may be conceived that Moses was not the sole original author thereof, but that it was derived down to him from his forefathers, who reckoned all the six days of the creation in one continued course, and preserved and kept the memory of the creation from Adam, in an obscure word, and so left it to posterity.
For evening and morning were not before the time of the sun and stars, which most certainly and really were first created but on the fourth day, which I shall demonstrate from an assured, certain ground, concerning the creation of the sun and stars.
But there was day and night, which I will here declare according to my knowledge: Thou must here once more open wide the eyes of thy spirit, if thou intendest to understand it; if not, then thou wilt remain blind.
Though this great work in man has remained hidden till this very day, yet God be praised, it will now once be day, for the dayspring or morningredness breaketh forth. The breaker through, or opener of the innermost birth, sheweth and presenteth itself with its red, green and white flag, in the outermost birth upon the rainbow. Observe: Now thou objectest, How then could there be day and night, and not also morning and evening? Answer.
Morning and evening are and reach up from the earth to the moon only, and take their original from the light of the sun, and this makes evening and morning, as also the outward day, and the outward dark night, as every one knoweth.
But there was not a twofold creation of evening and morning at that time; but when evening and morning did once begin, they kept their constant course all along from that time to this.
Of the Day. (Tag) The word (Tag) conceiveth itself at the heart, and goeth forth at the mouth through the way or passage of the astringent and the bitter qualities, and does not awaken or rouse up the astringent and the bitter qualities, but goeth forth directly through their place, which is at the hinder gums upon the tongue, very softly or gently, and incomprehensibly as to the astringent and the bitter qualities.
But when it cometh forth upon the tongue, then the tongue and the upper gums close the mouth; but when the spirit thrusteth at the teeth, and will go forth, then the tongue openeth the mouth at the teeth, and will go forth before the word, and at the mouth does as it were leap forth for joy.
But when the word breaketh through, then the mouth within openeth wide, and the word conceiveth itself once more with its sound behind the astringent and the bitter qualities, and rouseth them up, as if they were lazy sleepers in the darkness, and goeth forth suddenly out at the mouth.
Then the astringent quality drayleth [Drail, to trail] after it, as a drowsy man who is awakened from sleep; but the bitter spirit which goeth forth from the fire flash lies still, and heareth or regardeth not, neither does it move. These are very great things, and not so slight matters as the countryman supposeth.
Now, that the spirit first conceiveth itself at the heart, and breaketh through all watches and guards till it come upon the tongue, unperceived or unobserved, signifieth that the light brake forth out of the heart of God, through the corrupted, outermost, fierce, dead, bitter and astringent birth or geniture in the nature of this world, incomprehensibly both as to death and the devil, together with the wrath of God; as it is written in the Gospel of St John, [John i. 5.] The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.
But that the tongue and the upper gums close the mouth, when the spirit cometh upon the tongue, signifieth that the seven qualifying or fountain spirits of nature in this world, at the time of the creation, were not mortified and dead through the wrath of God, but were lively, active and vigorous. For the tongue signifieth or denoteth the life of nature, in which stands the animated, soulish and holy birth or geniture: For it is a type [prefiguration or resemblance] of the soul.
But that the spirit suddenly affecteth the tongue, when the spirit cometh upon it, whereupon it leapeth for joy, and will go before the spirit forth at the mouth, signifieth that the seven qualifying or fountain spirits of nature, (which are called the astral birth), when the light of God, (which is called the day), rose up in them, suddenly gat the divine life and will, and so highly rejoiced; as the tongue in the mouth here does.
But that the fore gums widen inward, and give room for the spirit to do as it pleaseth, signifieth that the whole astral birth yielded itself very friendly and courteously to the will of the light, and did not awaken the fierceness in it.
But that the spirit, when it goeth forth at the mouth, conceiveth itself yet once more behind the astringent quality upon the tongue at the hindermost gums, and awakeneth or rouseth up the astringent quality, being as it were asleep, and then goeth suddenly forth at the mouth:
It signifieth, I. That the astringent spirit indeed must hold, preserve and image or frame all in the whole nature, but this is [only] after the spirit of the light has first formed it, and that then the light first awakeneth the astringent spirit, and giveth all into the hands thereof to hold or preserve it.
And that must be, because of the outermost comprehensibility or palpability, which must be held and sustained by the astringent fierceness, else nothing would subsist in its body, neither could the compressed, compacted earth and stones subsist, but would be again a broken, thick, muddy and dark Salitter, such as at first moved in the whole deep.
It signifieth also, II. That this Salitter, at last, when the spirit has done with its creation and work in this world, shall be roused up and revived at the Last Judgment Day.
But that the spirit conceiveth itself behind the astringent quality, and not in the astringent quality, and so awakeneth or rouseth it up, signifieth that the astringent nature will not comprehend the light of God in its own proper way, but shall rejoice in the light of the grace, and be awakened or raised up thereby, and perform the will of the light; as the bestial body of man effecteth and performeth the will of the spirit, and yet these are not two severed things.
But that the bitter spirit lies still, and neither heareth nor comprehendeth nor apprehendeth the work of the spirit, signifieth that the bitter wrath-fire, which ariseth in the flash of fire at the time of the birth or geniture of the light, is not awakened by the light, neither comprehendeth it, but lies captive, imprisoned in the outermost birth or geniture, and must give leave to the spirit of light to do its work in nature, how it pleaseth, and yet can neither see nor hear nor comprehend the work of the light.
Therefore no man ought to think that the devil is able to tear the works of the light out of his [man's] heart, for he can neither see nor comprehend them: and though he rageth and raveth in the outermost birth in the flesh, as in his castle of robbery or fort of prey, do not despair; only take heed that thou thyself bring not the works of wrath into the light of thy heart. Then thy soul will be safe enough from the deaf and dumb devil, who is blind in the light
Thou shouldst not suppose that which I write here to be as a doubtful opinion, questionable as to whether it be so or no: For the gates of heaven and of hell stand open to the spirit, and in the light it presseth through them both, and beholdeth them; also proveth or examineth them; for the astral birth or geniture liveth between them both, and must endure to be squeezed.
And though the devil cannot take the light from me, yet he often hideth or eclipseth it with the outward and fleshly birth or geniture, so that the astral birth or geniture is in anxiety, and in a strait, as if it were captivated or imprisoned.
These are only his blows and strokes, whereby the mustard seed is overwhelmed, covered and obscured: Concerning which also the holy Apostle Paul saith, [Cor. xii. 79] that a great thorn was given him in his flesh, and he besought the Lord earnestly to take it from him, whereupon the Lord answered, Let my grace be sufficient for thee.
For he also was come to this place, and would fain have had the light without obstruction or hindrance, as his own in the astral birth or geniture. But it could not be; for the wrath resteth in the fleshly birth, and must bear or endure the corruption or putrefaction in the flesh: But if the fierceness should be wholly taken away from the astral birth or geniture, then, in that [birth], man would be like God, and know all things, as God himself does.
Which now [in this life] at present only that soul which qualifieth, operateth or uniteth with the light of God knoweth, though it cannot perfectly bring it back again into the astral birth or geniture; for it is another person.
Just as an apple on a tree cannot bring its smell and taste back again into the tree, or into the earth, though it be indeed the son of the tree: So it is in nature also.
The holy man Moses was so high and deep in this light, that the light transfigured the astral birth also, whereby the outermost birth of the flesh in his face was transfigured; and he also desired to see the light of God perfectly, in the astral birth or geniture.
But that could not be; for the bar or bolt of the wrath lies before it: For even the whole or universal nature of the astral birth in this world cannot comprehend the light of God, and therefore the heart of God is hidden and concealed, which, however, dwelleth in all places, and comprehendeth all.
Thus thou seest that the day was created before the time of the sun and stars; for when God said, [Gen. i. 3] Let there be light; there the light brake through the darkness, but the darkness did not comprehend it, but remained sitting in its seat.
Thou seest also how the wrath of God lies hid and resteth in the outermost birth of nature, and cannot be awakened, unless men themselves rouse or awaken it, who with their fleshly birth or geniture qualify, operate or unite with the wrath in the outermost birth of nature.
Therefore if any one should be damned into hell, he ought not to say that God has done it, or that God willeth it to be so; but man awakeneth or stirreth up the wrath-fire in himself, which, if it grows burning, afterwards qualifieth, mixeth or uniteth with God's wrath and the hellish fire, as one thing.
For when thy light is extinguished, then thou standest in the darkness, and in the darkness the wrath of God is hidden, and so if thou awakenest it, then it burneth in thee.
There is fire even in a stone, and if you do not strike upon the stone, the fire remaineth hidden, but if you strike it, then the fire springs forth; and then, if any combustible matter be near it, that matter will take fire and burn, and so it cometh to be a huge fire; and thus it is with man also, when he kindleth the resting wrath-fire, which otherwise is at rest. Of the Night. (Nacht).
The word (Nacht) conceiveth itself first at the heart, and the spirit grunteth with or in the astringent quality, yet not wholly comprehensible to the astringent quality; afterwards it conceiveth itself upon the tongue: But all the while it grunteth at the heart the tongue shuts the mouth, till the spirit cometh and conceiveth itself upon the tongue, and then it openeth the mouth quickly, and lets the spirit go forth.
Now that the word conceiveth itself first at the heart, and grunteth with or in the astringent quality, signifieth that the Holy Ghost conceived itself in the darkness upon the heart of God in the astral birth or geniture of the seven qualifying or fountain spirits: But that it grunteth within or at the astringent quality, signifieth that the darkness was a contrary or opposite will against the Holy Ghost, at or against which the spirit was displeased.
But that it goeth likewise through the dark way or passage, signifieth that the spirit goeth forth also through the darkness, which is yet in a quiet rest, and generateth it to be light, if it holdeth still, and does not kindle the fire.
Here is the cause for the judging world, which condemneth man in his mother's body or womb, to see and consider (for it does not know) whether the wrath-fire of the parents be fully kindled in the fruit or not, since also the spirit of God moveth in the darkness which stands in quiet rest, and can easily generate the darkness to be light. Towards this, moreover, the hour of man's nativity is very helpful to him; and to many [it is] very harmful.
But that the mouth shutteth, when the spirit conceiveth itself upon the heart, and that the astringent quality grunteth against and with or in it, signifieth that the whole court, extent or place of this world was very dark in the astral, and also in the outermost birth or geniture, and by the strong going forth of the spirit became light.
But that the bitter spirit is not awakened, while the spirit goeth through its place, signifieth that the dark night in the outermost birth or geniture of this world has never comprehended the light; also never will comprehend it in all eternity.
Hence it is that the creatures see the astral light with their eyes alone, else, if the darkness were not yet in the outermost birth or geniture, then the astral spirit could see through wood and stones, as also through the whole earth, and could not be hindered by anything, just as it is in heaven.
At the present time the darkness is separated from the light, and abideth in the outermost birth or geniture, wherein the wrath of God resteth till the Last Judgment Day; but then the wrath will be kindled, and the darkness will be the house or habitation of eternal perdition, wherein lord Lucifer, together with all wicked men who have sown into the darkness in the soil of the wrath, will have his eternal dwelling and residence.
But the astral birth, in which the natural light now stands, and wherein the holy birth is generated, will be also kindled at the end of this time, and the wrath and the holy birth will be separated asunder, for the wrath will not comprehend the holy birth or geniture.
But the wrath in the astral birth will be given to the house of darkness for a life, and the wrath will be called the hellish fire: And the house of darkness, which is the outermost birth, will be called death: And king Lucifer will be the god therein, and his angels and all damned men will be his ministers, officers and servants.
In this devouring abyss will rise up all manner of hellish fruits and forms, all according to the hellish quality and kind; as in heaven there spring up heavenly fruits and forms, according to the heavenly quality and kind.
Thus you may understand what the creation of heaven and earth signifieth and is, also what God made on the first day. Though indeed the first three days were not distinguished or severed asunder by evening and morning, but a time is to be reckoned and accounted as of twentyfour hours, as there is on high above the moon such a time and day.
Secondly, it is also therefore counted for a human day, because, doubtless, the earth instantly began its revolution and did turn round about once in such a period of time, while God was separating, and so till he had separated, the light from the darkness; and thus it [the earth] performed and finished its course the first time.