The Epistles of Jacob Behmen

[...so that it] may be restored to its original purity, being The text likely implies being "freed" or "cleansed" from these distractions. from those idols of fancy and vain reason that do darken and perplex it. For by the knowledge of the center of all beings (of which his writings speak), we come to rightly understand what time and eternity are, and within them, the science of the nothing, something, and all things. Through this, we may come to find out from where the inward radical being original: Ens; a Latin term for "essence" or "entity.", working essence, true subsistence, and full existence of everything proceeds. We also learn for what purpose everything has such an essence, life, power, virtue original: "vertue"; here meaning inherent power, efficacy, or medicinal property., form, and color; and then where it goes and what it shall be hereafter in eternity. By this, we may come to see how it is that all things proceed from God, subsist in God, and again return to God; and in this, we obtain the right knowledge of ourselves and of God in nature.

From this center arises the true knowledge of the three principles, and also of the threefold or tri-une life in man. By these, the deepest, darkest, and hardest questions and queries original: "Quere's" that can arise within the mind of man—or come within the reach of any imagination or thought—may be rightly understood and determined. This must necessarily advance all arts and sciences and lead to the attainment of the universal tincture In alchemical and theosophical thought, a spiritual medicine or transformative force capable of perfecting nature. and signature Referring to the "Doctrine of Signatures," the belief that the physical characteristics of plants or minerals reveal their hidden spiritual or healing properties.. Through these, the different secret qualities and virtues that are hidden in all visible and physical original: "corporeall" things—such as metals, minerals, plants, and herbs, etc.—may be