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

“20 Concerning the eternal Element of Fire.

water, air, and earth, are the materials of eternal Nature’s effence; for if thefe were taken away, eternal Nature would ceafe to be.

Concerning the eternal Element of Fire.

11. The eternal element of fire, is the firft matter and ground of eternal Nature’s effence, and therefore we will fpeak of it in the firt place.

If we would underftand the nature of this element, we muft know the birth of it, and how it was brought forth by God. When it pleafed the eternal will of God to move on the face of the abyffal effence; he from thence brought forth the four eternal elements, to be the firft principies of eternal Nature, and the element of fire in the firft place, together with its intrinfical and effential properties, to be the original beginning of eternal Nature’s eflence. Here you fee the creator of it, is the eternal will of the Triune Deity, Father, Son, and Spirit, for they have but one will among them.

12. In the fecond place, we fee the ground whence the will of God brought

forth this element of fire, namely, out of the