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

Concerning eternal Nature's Effence. 19

effence, but in eternal Nature all effences for creation are attually brought forth by God’s wifdom and power.

Again, In the divine chaos there is nothing but an eternal ftillnefs, no motion, no moving power; but Zu eternal Nature, God fees an actual working fource, power, life and motion, to create from and with: In the abyffal effence God fees all thefe lie hid, all life, all power, but only potentially, not actually.

10. Now I proceed to the third particular, to fhew the manner how God by his eternal will brought forth eternal Nature, out of the abyfial effence into matter and form. Here I muft open two particulars. Firff, What the matter is, of which eternal Nature is created? And Secondly, the manner how performed by God: and then pafs to the formal caufe.

Concerning the material Caufe of eternal Nature.

The original matter of eternal Nature is made up of fire, and light, with their effential properties belonging unto them, and the four * Eternal elements of fire,

water,

* This word Eternal, when thus applied, is only-to be underftood

a parte poft, and not a parte ante, as the {chool-men diftinguifh, for fo nothing is eternal but the Triune Deity of the holy ‘Trinity,