Mysterium Magnum

CHAPTER 1. original: CHAP. I. 1

1. IF we would understand what the new birth is, and how it is wrought or effected brought to pass, then we must first know what man is, and how he is the image of God. We must also understand what the divine Or how God dwells in man and fills all things with his presence. inhabitation original: inhabitation; the state of God dwelling within the human soul is, as well as what the revealed God is, of whom man is an image.

2. When I consider what God is, then I say: He is the One. In reference to the creature, he is an eternal Nothing Böhme uses "Nothing" (Ungrund) to describe God before manifestation: a state of pure potentiality beyond all existence and definition. He has neither foundation, beginning, nor abode. He possesses nothing except himself. He is the will of the Abyss original: Abysse; the bottomless, unmanifested source of all things. He exists only in himself. He is one; he needs neither space nor place. He begets himself in himself, from eternity to eternity. He is not like, nor does he resemble anything. He has no Or no separate habitation above the stars in an Empyrean Heaven, as reason fancies. specific place where he dwells. The eternal wisdom or understanding is his delight. He is the will of the wisdom; the wisdom is his manifestation.

3. In this eternal generation The process by which God eternally brings himself into being and consciousness, we are to understand three things: namely, 1. An eternal will. 2. An eternal mind of the will. 3. The Efflux; effluence; the proceeding forth. egress original: Egresse; the movement or flow outward from a source from the will and mind, which is a spirit of the will and mind.