Preparation for the Instructions of the Second and Third Main Levels

determined and correctly specified the same.

§. 67.

For a precise specification of matter, it is absolutely necessary:
a, to determine the beginning, and
b, the end, or better, the boundary thereof with that which is no longer matter.
However, regarding matter in genere in general and specie in particular, along with its very specific gradations, we have provided sufficient explanations in the instructions of the second main chapter under the Physical Section.
We therefore continue in this instruction in order to properly shed light on that which belongs to the higher masonic The term "mauerischen" refers to Masonry or "stone-working" in an alchemical or spiritual sense works, and therefore to examine everything in advance that pertains to this.

§. 68.

Positiones Positions/Theses.

Positio I.

All spiritual beings can proceed from One (o: unum intrinsicum: an intrinsic one), as we will explain and set out more clearly in the following. However, as soon as matter (o: Chomer, Geschem p: Hebrew: matter/physical body) begins, those stages (o: gradationes: gradations) of the same also immediately begin, which determine the such various and manifold organization, movement according to laws, and life in the first degree.

Positio II.

Everything that dies cannot have lived absolutely. For that which lives absolutely can never die. The life of that which dies is a relative life.

Positio III.

That which lives absolutely can only be a simplex simple substance, but that which lives relatively is already a compositum composite, and vice versa.

Positio IV.

Death occurs: dissolutione partium compositarum et vitae essentialium by the dissolution of the composite parts and of essential life, following also previously occurred:

a, motu humorum regressivo regressive motion of the humors, or
b, recessu spirituum vitalium withdrawal of the vital spirits.
Therefore, one sees also what a composite is. The simple substance, however, cannot die.

Positio V.

The spirit acts just as little immediately upon the body as the soul does upon the spirit. There are very many and different media between spirit and body, as between soul and spirit, of which we will speak in the following.

Positio VI.

The culture and the accidental nature of the spirit has full similarity with the culture of the body. Nature acts in both.
With the soul, however, no nature acts anymore. It acts per se by itself, and we only have to strive to lift the obstacula obstacles, or more clearly, to disperse the clouds that gather around it, etc. We cannot, for example, when we have a solar eclipse or a cloudy day or night, conclude that the sun no longer exists—the soul is the sun in its system.

Positio VII.

The faculty of imagination belongs especially among the media between spirit and body. It is mainly that power whereby images and ideas of present as well as absent objects are presented and made present to the spirit.

Positio VIII.

The tool of this representation is sensation, and the tool of sensation are the nerves with and in the state of their almost inconceivable irritability.

Positio IX.

As soon as the uninterrupted cycle of such a spiritual faculty is disturbed, interrupted, or almost abolished, the cause lies merely in the nature of the specific functions subordinate to it of the remaining spiritual, spiritual-bodily, or bodily faculties, which act upon it mediately or immediately.