The Water-Stone of the Wise Men, part 6 of 7

Even as therefore it is and ought to be so done (I say) in the Chymical work, even so in like manner must there be had a very special care here in our Theological work, (Phil. 2.) of the spiritual renovation and Celestial regeneration of man; for although that our Celestial King Jesus Christ hath perfectly freed us from all impurities, by that plenary obedience of his which he performed to his heavenly Father in our stead, and hath made us sons and heirs of God; yet nevertheless we cannot in all things and wholy comprehend and receive that saving and plainly divine tincture of himself, (neither his other treasures and great benefits,) because of our innate infirmity and weakness (2 Cor. 4.) nor can we firmly apply it to our selves, [unless we do thus] viz. we must (if we would rightly pertake of him) come yet a little neerer, and must have added those three saving singular parts, reckoned up and mentioned by God himself, which parts are thereto requisite, and they are chiefly termed (Eph. 2.)

(1) His holy Word, the which is pure, yea purer then Gold and Silver that hath been seven times tryed in a fornace of earth, Psal. 12. and 18. Yea, it is to be loved more then thousands of golden wedges.

(2) A saving faith, the which is a singular gift of God (Joh. 6. 2 Thess. 3.) and ariseth by the Word of God, Rom. 10. and doth also unite the hearts of men, Acts 5. and is tryed in the fire of tribulation, Gal. 3.

(3) A plain-hearted love to God and ones neighbour, the which likewise is the gift of God, and the fulfilling of the Law, Rom. 13. yea 'tis God himself and so is it called, 1 Joh. 4. chap. by which singular [and principal] parts, viz. the word faith, and charity, (Eph. 5.) if they be exercised and made use of after an orderly way and manner, then (first of all) the Lord Christ can rightly operate in us simple and imperfect mettals or men, and make a perfect projection, and have a saving ingress with his divine tincture and heavenly Unction; for without this [aforesaid medium] 'twill be most difficult for us to lay hold on him, or to be made rightly partakers of his tincture. For presently that terrible and lying false Chymist Sathan doth there shew himself, and doth daily lay snares and gins for the new and regenerated Men and Sons of God, (especially if they accomplish their covenant made with Christ in the holy Baptism, and do as St. Paul bids to be done, viz. to fight a good valiant fight, to keep the faith and a good conscience,) and endeavour by his faithful [or trusty] helpers (1 Pet. 5. […]) such as are our flesh subject to sins, (James 3.) and the wicked seducing world, to draw and headlongly to thrust them into his dangerous net: and also (which grief be it spoken) he doth most oftentimes, by Gods permission, (for in Prov. 24. even the just man falleth seven times a day) bring many a one to a headlong fall. Even so he attempted vehemently to insnare and intrap the Lord Christ our head and Captain, and earnestly tempted him presently upon his Baptism, and at his entrance upon his holy ministry; and as he did then, so likewise after the like manne[…] doth he evidently shew and discover a[…] all times and seasons his secret fly tricks, subtilties, and deceits against the Christian Church even to this very day. Now first he busied himself to tempt Christ by telling him of the great penury [or want tribulations and various streights he was in, and that he should doubt of the Word of God, and of his most merciful and gracious promise, pretending that God was not his friend thus to suffer him to endure hunger so long in the desart; But now if this temptation doth not wor[…] with Christians, then this enemy sets upon men with anothet temptation, on the other side [or extream] and would have them to rely upon God for more then he hath promised them in his Word, (Deut, 10.) for so he endeavoured to perswade even Christ himself, viz. that he should cast himself down, (Math. 4.) from the highest top of the Temple; for God will sufficiently protect [and defend] him, But now, if this will not do, he will ye[…] shamelesly have a third temptation, and this is by promising Riches, viz. that for mony and temporal honours sake, he should depart from God from his Divine Word, and become an Idolator, and fall down and worship himself (viz. Sathan) Thus feared he not boldly to wrestle with Christ himself and to drive him to a fall. The which also the faithfull God and Father in Heaven (Job 2.) doth out of his peculiar Counsel and for certain causes, sometimes permit such a thing to be done against his own [people] that so they may by this means grow and encrease in faith, hope, patience, in a true and right invocation (or prayer) unto God, and may by those rudiments or beginnings, and exercisings of the Cross, well prepare to themselves the way to the last conflict [viz.] of death, (which, our old man must necessarily undergo,) and that they may by this means obtain an eternal victory against that enemy; the which will come to pass, if they first know all his tricks, and most crafty snares; and do then valiantly and stoutly accomplish that as by the divine grace meets with and opposeth him.

For, whereas we are to fight and strive, not with flesh and blood, but with Principalities and Powers, as Saint Paul speaks, viz. with the chiefest of this world, (who rule in the darkness of this world) and with the evil Spirits under heaven; therefore we are not in the least able to resist them or their spiritual temptations by our own proper strength and power; but here we must (according to the example of Christ our Saviour and standard-bearer) lay hold on spiritual weapons; and with them and the Word of God (as with the sword of the Spirit) Ephes. 6. in or by Faith, are those our spiritual enemies to be smitten and overcome. And to this purpose, 'twill seem necessary for us to do as that Christian warriour Saint Paul the Apostle in Eph 6. commands to be done; viz. We must betake our selves to the armoury [or storehouse] of the holy Spirit, and there (1 Tim. 6.) take the iron breast-plate of God, and put it on, and our loins must be girt with truth, and we must be clad with the breast-plate of righteousness, and our feet must be shod [or harnessed] as ready prepared for the Gospel of peace, and lets take the sword of the Spirit, the which (as we said before) is the Word of God; But above all things, let us take the shield of faith, by which we shall be able to blot out, and quench all the fiery darts of the devil; for the faith in Jesus Christ is a most firm buckler, the which the Devil can never perforate, nor possibly wound the heart through it. Moreover, whereas the regiment of the fire also in the Philosophick work is to be heeded with the greatest diligence, and must necessarily be administred and attended on (in the coction [or digestion] of the matter) without ceasing; and even as we have afore briefly mentioned the Philosophical fire (by which the whole business is chiefly to be perfected) v[…]z. what it properly is, and how called, viz. an essential, a preternatural, and a divine fire, that lies hid in the compound, and unto which must be afforded [or administred] an help and stirring up with the terrene material fire, (1 Tim. 1.) Even so likewise, is the pure Word of God, or (which is the same) the Spirit of God; (which is also compared with a fire, Jerem. 23. and is so called) hidden in us men, forasmuch as it was indeed implanted in us by nature, but by the corruption thereof, was again blotted out and made dark, (Phil. 3.) And therefore must there be an helping and succour exhibited after such a manner by (as 'twere) a certain other external fire, that is, by a continual and daily use and exercise of Piety and Christian Vertues in the time of joy and sadness; as also by a diligent consideration of the pure divine Word, if (at least) we would have that internal light of grace that is granted unto us, and the Spirit of God to operate and work in us, and not be plainly extinguished, (Eccles. 10.) and with this aid and assistance must it be continually blown up and incessantly quickned without wearisomness and desistency. As for instance, tis wont thus to be done in earthly things; for if a workman strongly files Iron, (which in it self is cold) it will by the continuance of that motion become hot; So a Light or Lamp, Col. 3. unless it be continually nourished with supply of oyl, 'twill at length fail and be extinguished: Even thus it is with man as to his internal fire; except it be daily, and without wearisomness and tediousness exercised (as we said above) it doth by little and little decrease, until at length he be deprived wholly thereof: Upon which account, the Word of God (as we have often informed you, and as an important necessity requires it) is to be diligently heard, well considered of, and to be exercised without ceasing.

And what we have here spoken as to hearing thereof, the which is not to be done only with the external and beastlike eyes, but with the internal eyes of the mind, (1 Tim 1.) the same is to be understood of the sight after the same manner. But that you may the better understand my meaning, know, that I speak of the right and pure Word of God, and not of those humane glosses or expositions of either the Antients or Modern, nor of the Pharisaical Ferment and Leaven of the Scribes, (Rom. 16.) which (with grief be it spoken) is now adaies preferred before the divine Word; or at leastwise, (though it be but as it were mouse-dung mixed with pepper) is earnestly prest upon men to be heard and accounted of as the preaching of the word of God.

But I mean no such thing in the least; Those kinds of trifles, and such Sermons as fill the ears of men only, I value not a rush; nor do I here speak of such; but I speak (according as we have mentioned it in its proper place) of the true and clarified Word of God, Psalm 19. & 119. that passed out of the mouth of God, Deut. 8. Mat. 4. and is even yet [to this day] preached by the holy Spirit, 1 Cor. 1. the which is not only (as some do reproachfully and sottishly speak thereof) a meer empty sound, but is Spirit and Life, and the saving Power of God, (John 6.) to all such as believe therein. Concerning which hearing, the Kingly Prophet David doth thus speak (Psal. 64.) I will hear what the Lord will speak in me. Out of the which internal and divine hearing the Word of God, (as out of a certain spring or fountain) a true vivifying faith, which is efficacious by or through charity, (Gal. 5.) doth take its original; for as Paul saith, Rom. 10. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, (2 Pet. 2.)

So therefore, now, if the Word of God be pure and clear, then may the hearing be also pure and clear, Luke 21. and so consequently that faith, which (as 'twere) flows out of that hearing, will be pure and uncorrupted, and is effectual by charity, [and shews it self] as towards God in an humble obedience to his holy Precepts and Will, and also in praying, in praising, and in giving of thanks; and as towards ones neighbour in a well-minded loving exhibition [or doing] of divers good Works; insomuch that Charity is not the least, but (as Paul saith) the highest vertue of all others.

So likewise Christ himself in his long fare-well Sermon at his departure, Ioh. 13. doth with much dilgence exhort unto that exercise of Charity, and left behind at that time this lesson as a fare-well, saying, This is my Commaudement that ye love one another, even as I also loved you; for so shall all men know that ye are my Disciples. Likewise in 1 Iohn 2. He that saith he knows God, and yet doth not keep his Commandements, is a lyar, and there is no truth in him; But he that keepeth his word, in him verily the Charity [or Love] of God is perfect. And besides in 1 Iohn 4. God is Charity [or Love] & he that abides therein, abides in God, and God abides in him, Col. 1. By all this 'tis evident, how that Charity is the true bond of Perfection, by which we are incorporated into Christ himself; So that he is in us, and we in him, (2 Iohn 3.) he in his Father, and his Father in him; and this is his will; The which Christ himself doth also testifie in that place aforementioned, where he saith, If any one keepeth my saying, he it is that loves me, and I will love him, and […] will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Iohn 5. he saith, If ye shall keep my Commandements, ye abide in my love; concerning the which Charity, and how it relates to our neighbour, 'tis elegantly described in 1 Iohn 4. If any one (saith Iohn) doth say that he loveth God, and yet hateth his Brother, he is a lyar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how shall he love God whom he hath not seen? And this command have we from him, that he who loveth God, do love his brother also; But as to the property of that Love, what it is, Saint Paul expresseth it in the following words, 1 Cor. 13. Love (saith he) is long-suffering and kind, envieth not, vaunteth not it self, neither is it puffed up, nor is it weary of doing good to its neighbour. Tis therefore easie to be seen and understood, that [viz.] there can be no true and right Love [or Charity] which doth not serve its neighbour with good and charitable works, Col. 3. and yet [indeed] there are many of [such as call themselves] Christians that do rashly boast thereof: Moreover tis evident that good works as are pleasing unto God, do not precede faith, but is as it is with fruits which follow [or succeed] the stock and tree; the which if it be good, doth also bring forth good fruits; and for this cause, works do not make faith, but faith makes works good, grateful and acceptable, Ierem. 5. Upon this account therefore (the which is the chiefest thing here) we are justified by faith alone, and obtain life eternal [thereby.]

If therefore now the regenerate man doth so Christianly and piously behave himself (after the aforesaid manner) in his life and in all his actions, then also will he not in the least want his fruits. Such a man now is like unto the composition in the terrene work; he is placed by God in the fornace of tribulation, and is so long pressed with straights of all kinds, and with various calamities and troubles, until he becomes dead to the old Adam and flesh, Eph. 4. and be like a truly new man, which (according to God) is created in a right and true justice and holiness, and is again risen up, as Saint Paul in Rom. 6. doth testifie, where he saith, We together with Christ are buried in death by baptism; for even as Christ is risen from the dead, so let us also walk in newnesse of life. If this now be done, and that a man doth daily cease to sin, that so by this means sin may bear no more rule over him, then doth the solution of the adjoyned body of gold (as in the terrene work) take its original in him, and (as we have afore said) the putrefaction, so that he becomes (as 'twere) wholly dissolved, ground, destroyed, and putrified after a spiritual manner; the which solution and putrefaction notwithstanding is wont to be sooner done with one then another, but however tis fit that it be done even in this temporal life. That is, such a man is so well digested, boiled and mollified in the fire of tribulation, 1 Pet. 4. that he even despairs of all his own power and strength, and seeks for his comfort in the alone grace and mercy of God, 2 Cor. 4. in the which fornace of the Cross, and continual fire, the man (like the terrene body of the gold) obtains the right black head of the Crow, that is, he is made altogether deformed, and as to the world, Wisdom 5 (Iob 30.) is only derided and mocked by it; and that not only forty daies and nights, or years, but oftentimes also for his whole life time, insomuch that he necessarily undergoes many a time more grief of heart then comfort and gladness, and more sadness then joy in this life-time. And here then, by this his spiritual death, his soul is wholly taken out, and is (as 'twere) carried up on high; that is, he is as yet with his body on the earth, but with his Spirit and soul (which lives no more now to the world but unto God, nor takes delight in earthly things, but placeth his highest comfort in spiritual things, 2 Cor. 4.) he tends upwards to an eternal Life and Countrey, and doth so institute and order all his actions, that they are not earthly, but (as far forth as may be done in this time [or place]) are heavenly; and now he lives no more according to the flesh, but after the Spirit, not in the unfruitful works of darkness, but (as in the day-light) in the works that abide the tryal, (all being done in God.) The which separation of the body and soul of man is done (as is said [afore]) in spiritual dying to sin, and not in the corporal dying of the sinful[…] flesh: For even as it is with the solution of the body and soul in the Philosophical[…] [or terrene work] where indeed the body and soul are separated as it were the one from the other, yet nevertheless have a most streight [or close] coherency in the glass, and abide conjoynedly, [or together] and moreover the soul doth daily refresh the body, and preserve it from final destruction; and do even to the time appointed by God 2 Cor. 5. remain (as yet) inseparable Even so also the wither'd and as it were dead body in man (1 Peter 3.) is not it this its School of [or exercise with] the Cross, even wholly forsaken by the soul, but is daily (if the fervency of the tribulation exceeds measure) moistened by the Spirit from above, with the heavenly dew and divine Nectar, is imbibed comforted and preserved [thereby] th[…] which [is a] celestial refreshment and recreation of the deadened terrene body in men; For our temporal death (which is the wages of our sins, Rom. 6. is not a right death, but a natural solution of body and soul, and is much rather a kind of a gentle sleep, yea now ['tis] truly an indissoluble conjunction (understand in the godly) of the Spirit of God and of the soul, and so remains.

Besides, 'tis very fitly compared with that wonderful ascending and descending in the terrene work, as to its number, which happly is wont to be done seven times; for there are to be found six thousand years troubles and tribulations, viz. as long as the world shall endure. In which, such men as are void of all comfort, are at all times, in their crosses, calamities, and diversities of troubles, plentifully erected, comforted and strengthened again by the Spirit of God; And this (praise and glory be to God [for it]) is even yet daily so done, and likewise will be so long done until the great universal Sabbath and day of rest of the seven thousandth year shall take its beginning; and there, then, that spiritual refreshing or cooling shall in that change or time only cease, and shall obtain its so long-wished for end; and in the room thereof (when God shall be all in all, 2 Tim. 4.) shall that eternally abiding joy and rejoycing be begun.

But during that digestion and coction of the spiritual dead body in man, there will also after such a like manner, (as is to be seen in the terrene work) many divers colours and signs, that is, miseries, and troubles, and tribulations of all kinds (the chiefest of which is that afore mentioned temptation, which is done and caused by the devil, the world, and our flesh) shew and represent themselves; all which do notwithstanding betoken a good beginning, viz. that such a well vexed [or digested] man; will in the end obtain an happy, blessed and wisht-for issue; whereof the Scripture likewise is a witness, in which (in 2 Tim. 3. and Acts 4.) 'tis written, viz. that all those as will live happy in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution, and that we must necessarily enter into the Kingdom of heaven through many tribulations and streights. To which end also, Saint Anstine saies thus.

Do not wonder (my Brother) if (when thou shalt be made a Christian) a thousand troubles do beset thee round on every side, for Christ is the head of our faith, and we are his members, and therefore we must not only follow him, but also imitate his life: Now the life of Christ was encompassed with all kinds of tribulations and extream want; be was derided by the Scribes and Pharisees, and was (finally) delivered up to a most shameful death for us miserable sinners: Hence maist thou easily conclude, that if God vouchsafe thee such a life, and chastise thee with such a like persecution, he intends to bring thee into the number of his Elect; for we cannot possibly come unto God without those persecutions and tribulations: For such as endeavour to enter into Paradise, must necessarily walk through the fire and water, though it be Peter, to whom the keyes of heaven are delivered, Or, Paul a chosen Vessel and Armour of God; Or, John to whom all the secrets of God are revealed; For all must necessarily confess, that by various tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God.

Thus much Saint Austin saith.