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
The Epiror tothe READER. vii
reafon not to judge, and condemn it.
The Jews fpeak of it as one of the firftt commandments of God to Mofes, and by him delivered to Jofhua, and fo down to all their elders and wife men in all ages, to be flow in judging. And it is certainly a much higher and more dificult work to be a judge in matters that are {piritual, and of another world, not obvious to fenie, fuperior to uninlightened reafon, and above all the principles of the natural man, than it is to judge in the affuirs of this lower world ; and yet it is with great warinefs, an caution, that courts of judicature do proceed to judgment, even in little cafes here below.
The apoftie Paul cautions us, x Cor. iv. 5. “ To judge nothing before the ‘‘time, until the Lord come.” To pafs a judgment, to pronounce a fentence upon perfons, and principles, in fpiritual matters, is in its own nature, the greateft, the weightief aé& our fouls can put forth; and therefore not to be haftily
a 4 executed ;