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

58 What kind of Principle eternal Nature is.

ly in the union and fixation of them all in the feventh, which is as the common body and receptacle of them: the truth of this will appear by taking a view of all eternal Nature’s forms, in which profpect we hall clearly difcern, that the perfection of eternal Nature does not confift in any one or more of her forms apart; but in the joint union and fixation of them all in the feventh form.

Firft, We will begin with she darkne/:, and the efiences which pertain to it, nemely, barfonefs, bitternefs, and the fting of anguifh, which make the three firft properties of ‘eternal Nature, and are the beginning and root ef it: if thefe were not, there would be no fire; if no fire, nolight; if no light, no leve fire efience. But we canmot fay that Ged intended to place perfection in this root of darknefs, as being only the foundation of that compleat ftructure which God has raifed upon it. This eternal darknefs was extratied by God cut of the abyffal chaos, the hidden root of ail things : ‘and is the beginning and ground of eternal Naiure and her forms, and is made up of harfhnefs, bitternefs, and anguifh; and therefore this darknefs of which we treat

here,