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

14 Concerning the abyffal Effence.

called by fpiritual writers, the Divine Chaos, and the original of all effences, from whence all created effences, principles and centers do proceed. Thus I have brought you to the firft original of all effences, under the Triune Deity, which is this abyfial ground or eflence : with refpeét to which abyfs, God calls himfelf the firft and the laft of all effences. Concerning this fubje&t Behmen fpeaks thus, in his deep writings: ‘If the ipirit of the foul could come ‘into the eternal nothing, then he would * come into that original ground, whence * eternal Nature and all creatures did * proceed.” He alfo terms this eternal nothing, the eternal ftillnefs, becaufe as no effence is to be feen in it, though it be the ground of all efiences; fo there is no life, no motion, no working fource to be found in it, but an eternal ftillnefs, though indeed it be the ground whence all life, motion and working power do proceed. This, divine Behmen well underftood, therefore he fays, ‘If the fpirit of the foul could © fink down into this eternal nothing, and * abyfial ftill effence, then he would come * into that ground where God was when

* he