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

24 Concerning the eternal Element of Water.

that.it might lord it, and reign over the Deity; for this would not have fuited with his eternal wifdom, by which all things were brought forth : fince therefore it was created by God, it muft needs be good,” for no evil can proceed from God by way of efficiency.

Concerning the Element of eternal Water.

15. We will now proceed to the element of eternal water.

This element is the next matter of eternal Nature’s effence, and confequently to be treated of next to the fire. Its efficient caufe is the fame with that of the fireeffence, namely, the € eternal will of God. The centpe from it is produced, is the fame, namely, the eternal nothing, or aby{fal effence; and the manner how, is alfo the fame, namely, by the divine power and wifdom. Wherefore we refer you to what has been faid before concerning the eternal element of fire.

The nature of this eternal element of water, is a meek, mild, foft, gentle effénce : for as the fire-effence is the ground of fiercenefs, fo the water is the ground of meeknefs: and this will appear, if we con-

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