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(77) I saw seven rivers on the earth larger than all the rivers: one of them coming from the west pours its waters into the Great Sea.

(15) Now observe, the Heaven is the whole Deep so far as the Ethera, or Skies have given up themselves to the Birth of this World, and that Heaven is the Matrix, out of which Earth, Stones, and the material Water are generated. And there God separated the material Water from the Matrix; and here it is very plainly discerned, that the material Water is as it were dead, or has Death in it; for it could not abide in the moving Mother, but was created [to be] upon the Globe of the Earth, and God called it Sea, [Meer;] in which [Word] is understood in the Language of Nature, as it were a Springing [or Growing] in Death, or a Life in Corruption: Although herein I shall be as one that is dumb to the Reader, yet I know it very well, and I am very well satisfied therewith. But because the bestial Man is not worthy to know it, therefore I will not here cast the Pearl before the Swine; but for the Children of God, which will be benefited by it, the Spirit of God will certainly teach and instruct them in it. Note.

(1) In the northern ocean there is a fish, called the Leviathan, many thousand li in size. This leviathan changes into a bird, called the Rukh, whose back is many thousand li in breadth. With a mighty effort it rises, and its wings obscure the sky like clouds. At the equinox, this bird prepares to start for the southern ocean, the Celestial Lake. And in the Record of Marvels we read that when the rukh flies southwards, the water is smitten for a space of three thousand li around, while the bird itself mounts upon a typhoon to a height of ninety thousand li, for a flight of six months' duration. Just so are the motes in a sunbeam blown aloft by God. For whether the blue of the sky is its real colour, or only the result of distance without end, the effect to the bird looking down would be just the same as to the motes. If there is not sufficient depth, water will not float large ships. Upset a cupful into a small hole, and a mustard-seed will be your boat. Try to float the cup, and it will stick, from the disproportion between water and vessel. So with air. If there is not a sufficient depth, it cannot support large birds. And for this bird a depth of ninety thousand li is necessary; and then, with nothing save the clear sky above, and no obstacle in the way, it starts upon its journey to the south.

(77) And the fourth quarter, named the north, is divided into three parts: the first of them is for the dwelling of men: and the second contains seas of water, and the abysses and forests and rivers, and darkness and clouds; and the third part contains the garden of righteousness.

(102) Are not the entire sea and all its waters, and all its movements, the work of the Most High, and has He not set limits to its doings, and confined it throughout by the sand?

(86) 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 Saltier in that Place, there came to be as it were a Dale or Valley, wherein the Water remained standing.

(69) And through that oath the sea was created, And †as its foundation† He set for it the sand against the time of (its) anger, And it dare not pass beyond it from the creation of the world unto eternity.

(8) And for Ham came forth the second portion, beyond the Gihon towards the south to the right of the Garden, and it extendcth towards the south and it extendeth to all the mountains of fire, and it extendeth towards the west to the sea of 'Atel and it extendeth towards the west till it reacheth the sea of Ma'uk • — that (sea) into which feverything which is not de- stroyed descendethj.

(66) Behold, when God said, Let there be Light, then the Light in the Powers of Nature, or the seven Spirits of God, rose up, and the Firmament of Heaven, which stands in the Word, in the Heart of the Water, between the astral and outermost Birth or Geniture, was closed or shut up, by or with the Word and Heart of the Water, and the astral Birth is the Place of the Parting-mark or Limit, which stands half in Heaven, and half in the Wrath.

(81) and the Place also of the created World, even unto Heaven, as also the Deep where now the Earth is; that was all a pure and holy Saltier, wherein the seven Spirits of God were compleat and pleasant, as now in Heaven, although they are still compleat and full in this World. But observe the Circumstances rightly.

(42) For, the outermost Birth of the Water cannot comprehend the innermost Birth of the Water, which is called Heaven, and which is made out of the Midst or Center of the Water. [“Heaven is the Firmament, viz. the Fire-sea, or Sea of Fire, out of the seven Spirits of Nature, out of which the Stars as a Quintessence were concreted, incorporated, or created by the Word FIAT: And it has or contains both Fire and Water, and hangs in itself inwardly on the first Principle, and shall bring its Wonders, with or as to the Figure of them, into the Eternal; but its Birth or Geniture fades or passes away.”]

(33) 3rd. Primordial water He extracted from the air. He formed therein twenty-two letters and established them out of mud and loam, making them like a border, putting them up like a wall, and surrounding them as with a rampart. He poured snow upon them and it became earth, as it reads: "He said to the snow be thou earth." (Job. xxxvii. 6.)

(36) But seeing the Wrath also is in that Water in the Deep above the Earth, therefore constantly through the Kindling of the Stars, and of the Water in the Wrath, such palpable Water generates itself, which with its outermost Birth stands in Death.

(6) The water which thou seest springs not from vein Restored by vapour that the cold condenses, Like to a stream that gains or loses breath; But issues from a fountain safe and certain, Which by the will of God as much regains As it discharges, open on two sides. Upon this side with virtue it descends, Which takes away all memory of sin; On that, of every good deed done restores it. Here Lethe, as upon the other side Eunoe, it is called; and worketh not If first on either side it be not tasted. This every other savour doth transcend; And notwithstanding slaked so far may be Thy thirst, that I reveal to thee no more,

(69) And through it the earth was founded upon the water, And from the secret recesses of the mountains come beautiful waters, From the creation of the world and unto eternity.

(22) Then out of the imprisoned Light a mysterious and Holy Word came forth and took its stand upon the smoking waters. This Word--the Voice of the Light--rose out of the darkness as a great pillar, and the fire and the air followed after it, but the earth and the water remained unmoved below. Thus the waters of Light were divided from the waters of darkness, and from the waters of Light were formed the worlds above and from the waters of darkness were formed the worlds below. The earth and the water next mingled, becoming inseparable, and the Spiritual Word which is called Reason moved upon their surface, causing endless turmoil.