II.

An engraving depicting a moral allegory. On the left, a standing woman in long robes gestures toward a pile of worldly items on the ground, including overflowing coins, a vessel, and playing cards. On the right, a seated male figure with rays of light or horns emanating from his head (reminiscent of traditional depictions of Moses) sits with one hand on his chest in a garden setting. In the background is a large building with windows and architectural ornamentation. The initials "I.L." are printed in the bottom right corner of the image frame.

JESUS AND THE SOUL.

The Soul Sets Itself Against Flesh and Blood.

"Would you then so completely forsake me,
My bosom friend? original: "halsvriendin," literally "neck-friend," meaning an intimate companion who embraces one's neck O Soul, and rob me
Of my highest good, my luxuriant, playful life,
And lead me into a deep slavery?
Would you violate your friend, your closest companion?
And make me a scorn and mockery to everyone,
And cast me into much sorrow and misery;
Consider carefully, can that be right before God?"
So speaks the Flesh, the old man original: "den ouden mensch," a reference to the Apostle Paul's description of the unregenerate human nature in Romans 6:6 of sins.
Hear the answer I give him:
"It is better that you be bound for a time,
Than that you should drive me into eternal bonds:
You are a rogue, and weave nothing but misery for me:
You care only for your belly, and act like a beast;
And when you come to your besieged end,
Because your foundation lies in the Spirit of the Stars, A term from the mystical philosophy of Jacob Böhme; it refers to the "astral" or "sidereal" body, which is physical and temporary, influenced by the planets and destined to perish, unlike the eternal soul
You then break apart, and let me drift away;
If God's light does not shine in my soul’s fire,
Then I must surely wander in eternal darkness,
Because I spring from eternal nature;
Therefore, O guest, the watch is commanded to me;
You scatter into nothingness, I am an eternal Bond,
I have no desire to wander for eternity,
I seek my rest in the eternal Fatherland." A common Pietist and mystical term for Heaven, the true home of the soul

Divine Answer.

If your right hand offends you, cut it off, and cast it from you. Matthew 5:30.

Mortify... The text likely continues with "mortify your members which are upon the earth" from Colossians 3:5