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

VWehat kind of Principle eternal Nature is. 55

Sol. For darknefs is the root of the fire, and from the fire proceeds the light, fo that if there was no darknefs, there would be no light; wherefore darknefs is no evil efience.

Neither is the bitternefs and fting of the anguith evil in itfelf, becaufe they are the caufe of the triumphing joy. Nor the fire, though it be a fierce and devouring effence, becanfe its fiercenefs and wrathfulnefs is the ftrength of eternal Nature: and when thefe qualities of the fire come to be penetrated by the water they are changed, and become the caufe of pleafure and triumphing joy. Therefore you fee that fire as it was originally ia eternal Nature is no evil effence.

Neither can it be faid that the contrariety which is found in the forms and properties of eternal Nature makesthem tobeevils becaufe all the fix forms of eternal Nature are united and harmonized in the feventh, where no ftrife, contrariety, or oppofition is to be found,. nor any thing from whence they might with truth be denominated evil, In this harmony and agreement of all the effential forms of eternal Nature doth the effential and intrinfical goodnels of eternal

C4 Nature