JESUS AND THE SOUL.

The Soul Sets Itself Against Flesh and Blood.

"Would you then so completely and entirely 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 original: "spint," literally "spins" like a thread 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, original: "Sterren Geest." In 17th-century mystical thought, this refers to the sidereal or astral spirit—the part of man's nature tied to the physical cosmos which perishes at death
Then you break apart, and let me depart;
If God's light does not shine in my Soul-fire;
Then I must wander in eternal darkness,
Because I originate from eternal nature;
Therefore, O guest, I have been commanded to keep watch;
You turn to dust, original: "stuift tot niet," literally "blows away to nothing" but I am an eternal Bond,
I have no desire to wander for eternity,
I seek my rest in the eternal Fatherland."

Divine Answer.

If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off, and
cast it from you. Matthew 5:30.
Mortify Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth. Colossians 3:5.