The high and deep searching out of the threefold life of man through the three principles

365 Pages·1909·2.923 MB·English

by  Jakob Böhme

THE THREEFOLD LIFE OF MAN
JACOB BOEHME
Translated by
JOHN SPARROW
This text was originally published in Germany in 1620. The text is in the public domain. The edits and
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CONTENTS
The Contents of This Book
Introduction to Boehme's Threefold Life of Man
Chapter 1
Of the Original Matrix, or Genetrix
Chapter 2
Further of the Genetrix
Chapter 3
Concerning the Birth of Love
Chapter 4
Of the Wellspring of Light
Chapter 5
Of the Wisdom of God, and of the Angelical World
Chapter 6
Of the World, and also of Paradise
Chapter 7
Of the True Corner Stone
Chapter 8
Of the Transitory, and of the Eternal Life
Chapter 9
Of the Threefold Life
Chapter 10
How a Man may find himself
Chapter 11
Of the True Knowledge concerning Man
Chapter 12
Of the [true] Christian Life and Conversation
Chapter 13
Of Christ's most precious Testaments, that Fair Garland of Pearls of the Noble Highly
Precious Stone of The Great Mystery, and Philosopher's Stone, which the Antichristian
Church dances about, and is ever seeking it, but not in the Right Ground and Place
Chapter 14
Of the Broad Way in this World, which leads us into the Abyss. And of the Narrow Way [that
leads] into the Kingdom of God
Chapter 15
Of the mixed World, and its wickedness, as it now stands, and as it exercises its Dominion at
present. A Glass wherein Every one may see himself; and may try what Spirit's Child he is;
out of the Seal of the Wonders
Chapter 16
Of Praying and Fasting, and due Preparation to the Kingdom of God. What Praying is, and
brings to Effect: What the Power of it is, and what the final use and benefit of it is
Chapter 17
Concerning God's Blessing in this World. A very good and necessary Revelation for those
that are weak in Faith
Chapter 18
Of Death, and of Dying. How Man is when he Dies; and how it is with him in Death
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THE HIGH AND DEEP SEARCHING OF THE
THE THREEFOLD LIFE OF MAN
ACCORDING TO THE THREE PRINCIPLES
BY JACOB BOEHME
Gorlitz 1620
TRANSLATED BY JOHN SPARROW 1650
THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK
Being a high and deep searching out of the Threefold Life of Man, through
the Three Principles. Wherein is clearly shown that which is eternal; and also
that which is mortal.
And why God, who is the highest Good, has brought all things to light.
Also why one thing is contrary to another, and destroys it: and then what is
right or true, and what is evil or false, and how the one distinguishes itself
from the other. Wherein especially the Three Principles are founded, which
are the only original or fountain whence all things flow and are generated.
Whereby the multitude of meanings and opinions about faith and religion
may be known: and what is the cause of the multitudes of opinions among
men concerning the essence and will of God; also what is best for man to do,
that he may attain the highest and eternal good.
And then concerning the end and issue of all things; why all things have
appeared in such a property and essence as they have had; for the comfort of
the poor wounded sick soul of man, and for the rebuilding or edification of
the true Christian religion; wherein the Antichrist stands quite naked and
revealed.
Set down for a remembrance to ourself, and for a stay to uphold us in
these distracted miserable times.
INTRODUCTION TO BOEHME'S
THREEFOLD LIFE OF MAN
“Theosophy” may mean either “A wisdom which is God’s” or “A wisdom
which man can attain about God.” For all practical purposes the latter is to be
preferred; for whatever view we take of theosophical truth, we never can be
certain that it is the view of God. If Boehme has been called the “Teutonic
Theosopher,” this is only because he endeavors to penetrate into the depth of
man's nature, and seeks for facts which are not to be found upon the surface
thereof. Many view such an attempt with feelings akin to those of the hen
who sees the ducklings she has hatched out embark boldly upon the pond.
They are sure there is no foothold, and that disaster must ensue. There has
been, without doubt, in all ages of the world much enquiry calling itself
“theosophical” which has been illicit and disastrous. Ducklings that can
safely cross a river might be lost in attempting to cross the Atlantic.
Everything depends on the spirit in which the enquiry is undertaken. If in a
self- sufficient pride and confidence in our own powers, or out of mere
curiosity and love of the wonderful and obscure, the enquiry is illicit and
likely to end in spiritual and moral disaster. One sort of spirit alone can
undertake the enquiry with safety. It must be entered on for the one and only
purpose of learning what we actually are, so that by this knowledge we may
be enabled to shape our life and form our personal character in accordance
with the eternal Fact.
Neither must we undertake to pursue the enquiry by our own natural and
unaided reason and intellect. We must seek and expect guidance; that
guidance which is ever afforded to those who seek it from a true motive,
which is never a mere desire to explore and talk about the recondite and
profound. So narrow is the gate that leads to the real divine truth that no self-