Three Principles of the Divine Essence Chap. 8-16 - meuser

finds by Experience what is written in this Book. And although
he cannot be rid of the Untowardness of the Incitements of the
four Elements, yet nevertheless the noble Seed in the e Limbus
of God continues with him, which Seed springs and grows, and
at last becomes a Tree, which the Devil favours [or relishes;]
not, but he goes about the Tree like a fawning Cur, and then by
his Servants he casts all Mishaps upon him; and by his Crew [of
Followers and Confederates] he thrusts many out of f his House,
that he may do him no more Displeasure. But it goes well with
him [that fears God,] and he comes into the Land of the Living.
24. Therefore we say now, according to our high Knowledge,
that the Source [or active Desire] of all the three Principles does
imprint itself together g with the Child’s Incarnation [or becoming
Man,] in the Mother’s Body. For after that Man is figured
[or shaped] from the Stars and Elements, by the Fiat, so that
the Elements have taken Possession of their Regions, [Kingdoms,
or Dominions,] viz. the Heart, Liver, Lungs, Bladder, and
Stomach, wherein they have their Regions, then must the
h Artificer in his twofold Form rise up out of all Essences; for
there stands now the Image of God, and the Image of this World,
and there also is the Image of the Devil. Now there must be
Wrestling and Overcoming, and there is Need of the Treader
upon the Serpent, even in the Mother’s [Womb or] Body.
25. Therefore, ye Fathers and Mothers, be honest and live in
the Fear of God, that the Treader upon the Serpent may also
be in your Fruit. For Christ says, A good Tree cannot bring
forth evil Fruit, and an evil Tree cannot bring forth good Fruit.
And although this indeed is meant of the Mind that is i brought
up; which has its own Understanding [or Meaning] thus, that
no false Mind brings forth good Fruit, nor no good Mind evil
Fruit; yet it is effectually necessary for the Children, [that the
Parents be honest and virtuous,] because the Child is generated
from the Essences of the Parents.
26. And though it be clear that the Stars in the outward Birth
[Geniture or Operation] alter the Essences in every one according
to their k Source [Quality, Influence, or Property,] yet the
Element is still there, and they cannot alter that with their Power,
except Man himself does it; they have only the outward Region;
e In the pure eternal one Element.
f Out of this earthly rotten Tabernacle.
g Or in.
h Or Workmaster, the Fiat.
i Or comes to act of itself.
k Operation.
and besides, the Devil dares not l image [or imprint] himself, before
the Time of the Understanding, when Man can incline himself