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

What etersal Nature 1s. 3

nor the Son without the Father and Spirit; nor the Spirit-without the Father and Son ; but the Triune Deity in joint co-operation. Therefore the Triune Deity in the globe of, eternity, fubfifting in pure Deity, mult be before eternal Nature by way of efficiency, as the caufe is before the effect, and are diftin&, as caufe and effect. God therefore is not eternal Nature, nor eternal Nature God, becaufe eternal Nature is formed by God, as the efficient. And thus we fee that God can fubfift without nature, but eternal Nature’s effence cannot fubiilt without the Triune Deity : God comprehends eternal Nature, but eternal Nature cannot comprehend him, who, as being the efficient caufe of eternal Nature, is higher in his own eternal unity and fimplicity. Now that God is the author of eternal Nature, fcripture teaches us, when it tcl!s us, that ‘* by the Word all things were ‘* created; and that without him nothing “< was made, that was made.” Now if the Triune Deity was the creator of eternal Nature, he muft needs be before it, and diftinét from it, and fubfift in a far higher effence, than eternal Nature’s effence is, For if any fhould afk what is AS above,