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

Goncerning the eternal Element of Water. 25

(ider the effential properties of it. The firft is meeknefs, the next fweetnefs, then foftnels, mildnefs, gentlenefs, coldnefs, refrefhingnels, finking down, heavinefs: So that we fee from thefe properties, that the water muft needs be a meek and mild effence: and this meek effence is the ground of eternal light, it is the womb of the meek light, from whence fprings pleafantnefs,

delightfulnefs, joyfulnefs and gladnefs. All which properties are in one another infeparably, and make up but one meek effence, [as the feveral properties of the: fire | make up one fierce effence, } which meek effence we may call the meek water eflence, the meek light effence, or the meek love fire effence. This effence, as the blefied Behmen obferves, is the fifth form of eternal Nature. But if we would farther confider the end of its production, it is to mitigate and allay the fiercenefs of the fireeflence, and to be its antagonift. So to the fierce, fiery, harfh, darknefs; the water oppofes its meek, foft, gentle and pleafant light: to the bitternefs and pricklinets of the fire; it oppofes its fweetnefs and pleafantnefs: to the anguifh, wrathfulnefs and devouring property of the fire; it oppofes the