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 kind of Principle eternal Nature is. 71

bring forth his whole hoft of creatures. And thus much concerning the perfection of eternal Nature’s effence.

Anfw. 1o. Eternal Nature’s effence is a bleffed and happy effence ; I do not mean that fhe is the fummum bonum, the moft high and fovereign happinefs, for that is only to be found in the divine effénce; but that fhe is fo far happy and bleffed as a created effence is capable of being. This happinefs of eternal Nature confifts in this, that fhe is free from all contrariety, ftrife, mifery, and anguifh.

Neither could it be otherwife, except we will make God to be the author of contrariety, mifery, pain, and death, which is directly contrary to his Nature, and to what the holy fcripture teftify concerning him. No, eternal Nature, as fhe came out of the hand of ber great Creator, was all beautiful, all fpotle/s, all bappy: no ftrife, mifery, or death, to be found in any borders of her dominions.

And here again I defire it may be noted, that I do not contradict Jacob Behmen, becaufe he fpeaks of eternal Nature in her divided properties, as fhe was after the fall of angels; but I fpeak of her as fhe came

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