英文版   (全篇) The Journey of the Mind Into God
    英文版心向上帝的旅程——

    Title:TheJourneyoftheMindIntoGod

    Creator(s):Bonaventure,Saint,ofBagnoregio(1217-1274)

    Bonaventurae,OperaOmniaS.(Translator)

    Rights:PublicDomain

    CCELSubjects:All;Classic;Sermons;Theology;

    LCCallno:BT100.B56131993(alternatetranslation)

    LCSubjects:

    Doctrinaltheology

    God

    _________________________________________________________________

    ST.BONAVENTUREOFBAGNOREGIO

    CardinaloftheHolyRomanChurch,MinisterGeneraloftheOrderofFriars

    Minor,&DoctoroftheUniversalChurch

    THEJOURNEYOFTHEMINDINTOGOD

    Prologue&Chapters1&2

    TranslatedfromtheQuarrachiEditionoftheOperaOmniaS.

    Bonaventurae

    _________________________________________________________________

    PROLOGUE

    1.InthebeginningtheFirstPrinciple,fromwhomallother[cunctae]

    illuminationsdescendasfromtheFatheroflights,bywhomisevery

    bestgiftandeveryperfectgift,thatistheEternalFather,Ido

    invokethroughHisSon,OurLordJesusChrist,withtheintercession

    oftheMostHolyVirginMary,thesameMother[genetricis]ofOurGod

    andLordJesusChrist,andofblessedFrancis,ourleaderandfather,

    tograntthattheeyesofourmind(be)illuminedtodirectourfeet

    inthewayofHispeace,whichexceeds[exuperat]everysense;which

    peaceOurLordJesusChristhasproclaimed[evangelizavit]andhas

    given;therenewer[repetitor]ofwhosepreachingwasourFather

    Francis,announcingatthebeginningandendofallhispreaching

    peace,ineverysalutationchoosingpeace,ineverycontemplation

    longingtowardsecstaticpeace,asacitizenofthatJerusalem,

    concerningwhichthatmanofpeacespeaks,whowiththosewhohate

    peace,waspeaceable:Askforthosethingswhichareforthepeaceof

    Jerusalem.Forheknew,thatthethroneofSolomonwasnotbutin

    peace,sinceitwaswritten:InpeaceismadeHisplace,andHis

    dwellinginSion.

    2.WhenthereforebytheexampleofmostblessedFatherFrancisI

    soughtwithapantingspiritthispeace,Iasinner,who,unworthyin

    allthings[peromnia]ascendtotheplaceofthemostblessedfather

    himselfasseventhintheMinistergeneralshipafterhistransitus;it

    happenedthatwiththedivinepermission[nutu]aboutthe(timeof)

    theTransitusoftheBlessedhimself,inthethirty-thirdyear(ofits

    celebration,1259A.D.),Iturnedasidewiththelove[amore]of

    seekingpeaceofspirittowardsmountAlvernaastowardsaquiet

    place,andstaying[existens]there,whileIconsideredinmindsome

    mentalascensionsintoGod,amongothersthereoccuredthatmiracle,

    whichintheaforesaidplacehappenedtoblessedFrancishimself,that

    is,ofthevisionoftheSeraphwingedafterthelikeness[adinstar]

    oftheCrucified.Inconsiderationofwhichitsuddenlyseemedtome,

    thatthatvisionshowedthesuspensionofourfatherhimselfin

    contemplatingHimandtheway,throughwhichonearrivesatthat

    (suspension).

    3.Forthroughthosesixwingstherecanberightlyunderstoodsix

    suspensionsofillumination,bywhichthesoulasiftocertainsteps

    orjourniesisdisposed,topassoverto[ad]peacethroughecstatic

    excessesofChristianwisdom.Thewayis,however,naughtbutthrough

    themostardentlove[amorem]oftheCrucified,whotothisextent

    [adeo]transformedPaulrapttothethirdheavenintoChrist,thathe

    said:toChristIhavebeencrucified,nownotI;butChristlivesin

    me;whoalsotothisextentabsorbedthemindofFrancis,sincethe

    mindlayintheflesh,whileheboreaboutthemostsacredstigmataof

    thePassioninhisownfleshfortwoyearsbeforehisdeath.The

    likenesses[effigies]ofthesixseraphicwingsintimates[insinuat]

    sixstair-like[scalares]illuminations,whichbeginfromcreatures

    andleadthrougheventoGod,toWhomnoonerightlyentersexcept

    throughtheCrucified.Forhewhodoesnotenterthroughthegate,but

    ascendsbyanotherway,thatoneisathiefandmercenary[latro].If

    anyoneindeedgoesinsidethroughthegate,hewillstepinandout

    andfindpasture.OnwhichaccountJohnsaysintheApocalypse:

    BlessedaretheywhowashtheirvestmentsintheBloodoftheLamb,to

    havepowerintheTreeoflife,andtostepinthecitythroughthe

    gates;asifhesaid,thatthroughcontemplationonecannotstepinto

    thesupernalJerusalem,unlessheenterthroughtheBloodoftheLamb

    asthroughagate.Foronehasnotbeendisposedinanymanner[modo]

    todivinecontemplations,whichleadtowardsmentaleccesses

    [excessus],exceptwithDanielonebeamanofdesires.Moreover

    desiresareinflammedinusinatwo-foldmanner,thatisthroughthe

    clamourofpraying,whichmakesoneshout[rugire]fromagroanofthe

    heart,andthoughthelightningofspeculation,bywhichthemind

    thoroughlyturnsitself[seconvertit]mostdirectlyandmost

    intenselytowardstheraysoflight.

    4.ThereforetothegroanofprayingthroughChristcrucified,through

    whoseBloodwearepurgedfromthefilthofvice,Iindeedfirst

    invitethereader,lestperhapshebelievesthatreadingwithout

    unction,speculationwithoutdevotion,investigationwithout

    admiration,circumspectionwithoutexsultation,industrywithout

    piety,knowledge[scientia]withoutcharity,understandingwithout

    humiliy,studyapartfromdivinegrace,gaze[speculum]apartfrom

    divinelyinspiredwisdomissufficientforhim——Anticipated,

    therefore,bydivinegrace,forthehumbleandpious,thecompunctand

    devout,forthoseannointedwiththeoilofgladnessbothforthe

    loversofdivinewisdomandforthoseinflammedwithdesireforit,I

    proposethefollowingspeculationstobefreeforthosewillingto

    magnify,admireandeventakeatasteofGod,intimating,thattoo

    littleornothingistheproposed,exteriorgaze[speculum],unless

    themirror[speculum]ofourmindhasbeenwipedandpolished.Exert

    yourself,therefore,manofGod,before[priusad]thestingof

    consciencebitesagain,andbeforeyouraiseyoureyestowardsthe

    raysofwisdomglitteringinHisreflections[speculis],lestby

    chancefromthesight[speculatione]itselfoftheraysyoufallinto

    themoregravepitofshadows.

    5.Moreoveritispleasingtodivide[distinguendum]thetractinto

    sevenchapters,bypreviewing[praemittendo]theirtitlesfor[ad]an

    easierunderstandingofthethingstobesaid.Iasktherefore,that

    theintentionoftheonewritingbethoughtofmore,thanthework,

    morethesenseofthethingssaidthantheunculturedspeech,moreits

    truththanitscharm,moretheexerciseofaffectionthanthe

    eruditionoftheintellect.Becauseasitis,onemustnotrun

    perfunctorilythroughthecourseofthesespeculations,butruminate

    (onthem)withthegreatestoflingering[morosissime].

    HEREENDSTHEPROLOGUE.

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    HEREBEGINSTHESIGHTOFTHEPOORMANINTHEDESERT

    CHAPTERI

    ONTHESTEPSOFASCENSIONINTOGODANDONTHESIGHTOFHIMTHROUGHHIS

    VESTIGESINTHEUNIVERSE

    1.Blessedtheman,whoseassistanceisfromThee,hehasarrainged

    ascensionsinhisownheartinthevaleoftears,intheplace,which

    heplacedthem.Sincebeatitudeisnothingother,thanthefruitionof

    theMostHighGood;andtheMostHighGoodisaboveus:noonecan

    become[effici]blessed,unlessheascendsabovehisveryself,notby

    anascentwiththebody[corporali],butwiththeheart[cordiali].

    Butwearenotabletoberaisedaboveourselvesunlessbymeansofa

    superiorvirtueraisingus.Forhowevermuchasinteriorstepsare

    arrainged,nothingisdone,unlesstheDivineAssistanceaccompanies.

    HowevertheDivineAssistanceaccompaniesthosewhoseekitfromtheir

    hearthumblyanddevoutly;andthisistolongforitinthisvaleof

    tears,whichisdonethroughferventpraying.Letuspraytherefore

    andsaytotheLordOurGod:Leadmeforth,Lord,inThyway,andlet

    mestepinThytruth;letmyheartbeglad,thatitfearsThyName.

    2.Inprayingthisprayeroneisilluminedsoastobecomeacquainted

    with[adcognoscendum]thestepsofthedivineascension.Sincethe

    universityofthingsisthestairwaytoascendintoGod;andamong

    thingsthereareacertainvestige,acertainimage[imago],certain

    corporalthings,certainspiritualthings,certaintemporalthings,

    certainaeviturnalthings,andforthisreason[perhoc]certainones

    outsideofus,certainonesinsideus:forthispurpose[adhoc],that

    wearriveatconsideringtheFirstPrinciple,whichismostspiritual

    andeternalandaboveus,itisproper,thatweenterintoourmind,

    whichisanaeviternalimage[imago]ofGod,spiritualandwithinus,

    andthisistostepinthetruthofGod;itisfitting,thatwe

    transcendtotheeternal,mostspiritual,andaboveusbylooking

    towardstheFirstPrinciple,andthisistobegladintheknowledge

    [notitia]ofGodandthereverenceofHisMajesty.

    3.Thisisthereforethewayofthreedaysinthesolitude;thisis

    thethreefoldilluminationofoneday,andthefirstisasvespers,

    thesecondasmorning,thethirdasmidday;thisrelatesto[respicit]

    thethreefoldexistence[existentiam]ofthings,thatisinmatter,in

    understandingandintheEternalArt,accordingtowhatissaid:Let

    itbe,Hehasmadeandithasbeenmade;thisalsorelatestothe

    threefoldsubstanceinChrist,whoisourStairway,thatisthe

    corporal,thespiritual,andtheDivine.

    4.Accordingtothisthreefoldprogressourmindhasthreeprinciple

    powersofsight[aspectus].Oneistowardsexteriorcorporals,

    accordingtothatwhichisnamedtheanimal[animalitas]orthe

    sensory[sensualitas]:theotherwithintheselfandintheself,

    accordingtothatwhichiscalledthespirit;thethirdabovethe

    self,accordingtothatwhichiscalledthemind——Fromallofwhich

    itoughttoarrange[disponere]itselftoclimbthoroughly

    [conscendendum]intoGod,tolove[diligat]Himwithawholeheart,

    andwithawholeheart,andwithawholesoul,inwhichconsiststhe

    perfectobservanceoftheLawand,atthesametimewiththis,

    christianwisdom.

    5.Moreoversincewhateveroftheaforesaidmannersisjoined

    together,accordingtowhichonehappens[contingit]toconsiderGod

    astheAlphaandtheOmega,orinasmuchasonehappenstoseeGodin

    anyoneoftheaforesaidmanners[modorum]asthroughamirror[per

    speculum]andasinamirror[inspeculo],orbecauseoneofthese

    considerationsishasbeenmixedup[habetcommisceri]withanother

    conjoinedwithitself,andhastobeconsidered[habetconsiderari]in

    itspurity;henceitis,thatitisnecessary,thatthesethree

    principlestepsascendtowardsagroupofsix,sothat,asGodinsix

    daysperfectedtheentireworld[universummundum]andontheseventh

    rested;sothemicrocosm[minormundum]isitselfleadforthinsix

    stepsofilluminationproceedingupwards[succedentium]inamost

    orderedmanner[ordinatissime]towardsthequietofcontemplation.In

    thefigureofwhichoneascendedinsixstepstowardsthethroneof

    Solomon;theSeraphim,whichIsaiahsaw,hadsixwings;aftersixdays

    theLordcalledMosesfromthemidstofgloom[caliginis],andChrist

    aftersixdays,asissaidinMatthew,ledthedisciplesuntothe

    mountainandwastransfiguredbeforethem.

    6.Thereforealongside[iuxta]thesixstepsofascensionintoGod,

    therearesixstepsofthesoul-spowers[potentiarum]throughwhich

    weclimbthoroughlyfromthedeptstowardsthehieghts,fromexterior

    thingstowardsthingsmostinterior,fromtemporalthingsweascend

    togethertowardseternal,thatisthesense,theimagination,the

    reason,theintellect,theintelligence,andtheapexofthemindor

    thesparkofsynderisis.Thesestepswehaveplanted[habemus

    plantatos]inusbynature,deformedbyfault,reformedbygrace;are

    tobepurgedbyjustice,exercisedbyknowledge[scientia],perfected

    bywisdom.

    7.Foraccordingtothefirstinstitutionofnaturetherewascreated

    amanfit[homohabilis]forthequietofcontemplation,andforthat

    reasonGodplacedhimintheparadiseofdelights.Butturninghimself

    awayfromthetrueLighttowardsthecompletelychangeablegood

    [commutabilebonum],hewashimselfstoopeddownthroughhisown

    fault,andhiswholeracebyoriginalsin,whichinfectshumannature

    inatwofoldmanner,thatisthemindbyignorance,thefleshby

    concupiscence;sothatmanthoroughlyblindedandstoopeddownsitsin

    theshadowsanddoesnotseethelightofHeavenunlessgracesuccors

    himwithjusticeagainsthisconcupiscence,andknowledgewithwisdom

    againsthisignorance.Whichisentirely[totum]donethroughJesus

    Christ,whohasbeenmadeforusbyGodourwisdomandjusticeand

    sanctificationandredemption.WhothoughHebetheVirtueofGodand

    theWisdomofGod,(andthough)HebetheIncarnateWordfullofgrace

    andtruth,hasmadegraceandtruth,thatishasinfusedthegraceof

    charity,which,sinceitisfromapureheartandagoodconscience

    andanunfeignedfaith,rectifiesthewholesoulaccordingtoitsown

    threefold,abovesaidpowerofsight[aspectum];Hehasthoroughly

    taughttheknowledgeofthetruthaccordingtothethreefoldmannerof

    theology,thatis,thesymbolic,theproper,andthemystical,sothat

    throughthesymbolwerightlyusethesensible,throughtheproperwe

    rightlyusetheintelligible,throughthemysticalweberaptto

    super-mentalexcesses.

    8.ThereforeitisnecesarythathewhowilltoascendintoGod,asa

    naturehavingavoidedthedeformingfault,exercisehisabovesaid,

    naturalpowersinaccordwith[ad]reforminggrace,andthisby

    praying;inaccordwithjustifyingpurificationandthisin

    comportment[conversatione];inaccordwithilluminatingknowledgeand

    thisinmeditation;inaccordwithperfectingwisdomandthisin

    contemplation.Thereforeasnoonecomestowisdomexceptthrough

    grace,justice,andknowledge;soonedoesnotcometocontemplation

    exceptthroughperspicaciousmediation,holycomportmentanddevout

    prayer.Thereforeasgraceisthefoundationoftherectitudeofthe

    willandoftheperspicaciousbrightening[illustrationis]ofthe

    reason;soatfirstwemustpray,thenliveholily,thirdunderstand

    thespectacles[spectaculis]oftruthandbyunderstandingascend

    gradually,andcomeatlasttotheexaltedmountain,wherethereis

    seentheGodofGodsinSion.

    9.Sincethereforefirstoneistoascendratherthandescendupon

    Jacob-sstair,letussituatethefirststepofascensionatthe

    bottom,byconsidering[ponendo]thiswholeworldsensibletousasa

    mirror[speculum],throughwhichwepassovertoGod,theMostHigh

    Artitisan,sothatwemaybetrueHebrewspassingoverfromEgyptto

    thelandpromissedagain-and-againtoourFathers,thatwemaybealso

    ChristianspassingoverwithChristfromthisworldtotheFather,

    thatwemaybealsolovers[amatores]ofwisdom,whocallsandsays:

    Passovertomeallyou,whodesire[concupiscitis]me,andbefilled

    fullbymygenerations.Forfromthemagnitudeofbeauty[speciei]and

    creaturetheCreatorofthesethingscouldbefamiliarly

    [cognoscibiliter]seen.

    10.Moreoverthehighestpowerandwisdomandbenevolenceofthe

    Creatorglittersincreatedthingsaccordingtothatwhichthesense

    ofthefleshannouncesinthisthreefoldmannertotheinteriorsense.

    Forthesenseoftheflesheitherdevoutlyserves[deservit]the

    intellectinarationalmannerasitinvestigates,orinafaithful

    mannerasitbelieves,orinanintellectualmannerasit

    contemplates.Contemplatingitconsiderstheactualexistenceof

    things,believingthehabitualdescent[decursus]ofthings,reasoning

    [ratiocinans]thepotentialexcellence[praecellentiam]ofthings.

    11.Inthefirstmannerthepowerofsight[aspectus]oftheone

    contemplating,consideringthethingsinthemselves[resinseipsis],

    seesinthemtheweight,numberandmeasure;theweightinregardto

    theposition[quoadsitum],wheretheyareinclining,thenumber,by

    whichtheyaredistinguished,andthemeasure,bywhichtheyare

    limited.Andforthisreasonitseesinthemmeasure[modum],species,

    andorder,andalsothesubstance,virtue,andactivity[operationem].

    Fromwhichitcanrisetogether,asfromavestige,tounderstandthe

    power,wisdomandimmensegoodnessoftheCreator.

    12.Inthesecondmannerthepowerofsightofthebeliever[aspectus

    fidelis],consideringthisworldattendstotheorigin,thedescent

    andtheend.Forbyfaithwebelieve,thattheageshavebeenmade

    readyfortheWordoflife;byfaithwebelieve,thattheseasonsof

    thethreelaws,thatisofnature,ofScriptureandofgracesucceed

    oneanother[sibi]andhavedescended[decurrisse]inamostorderly

    manner;byfaithwebelieve,thattheworldmustbeterminatedbya

    finaljudgement;advertinginthefirsttopower,inthesecondto

    providence,inthethirdtojusticeoftheMostHighPrinciple.

    13.Inthethirdmannerthepowerofsight[aspectus]oftheone

    investigatinginareasoningmannersees,thatcertainthingsonly

    are,moroverthatcertainthingsareandlive,butthatcertainthings

    are,live,anddiscern;andindeedthatthefirstthingsarethe

    lesser,thesecondonesthemiddle,thethirdthebest——Againit

    sees,thatcertainthingsareonlycorporal,certainthingspartly

    coporal,partlyspiritual;fromwhichitadverts,thatsomearemerely

    spiritualasthebetterandmoreworthyofboth.Neverthelessitsees,

    thatcertainthingsaremutableandincorruptible,asthecelestial

    things;fromwhichitadverts,thatcertainthingsareimmutableand

    incorruptible,asthesupercelestial.

    Fromthesevisiblethings,therefore,itrisesuptogethertoconsider

    thepower,wisdom,andgoodnessofGod,astheexisting[entem],

    living,understanding,merelyspiritualandincorruptibleand

    instransmutableOne.

    14.Moreoverthisconsiderationbroadensaccordingtotheseptiform

    conditionofcreatures,whichistheseptiformtestimonyofthedivine

    powerandgoodness,iftheoriginandorderofallotherthingsis

    considered.

    Fortheoriginofthingsaccordingto(their)creation,distinction

    andembellishment[ornatum],asmuchasitregards[quantumad]the

    worksofthesixdays,foretellsthedivinepower,producingallother

    thingsfromnothing,(thedivine)wisdomdistinguishingallother

    thingslucidlyand(thedivine)goodnessadorningallotherthings

    withlargess.

    Moreoverthemagnitudeofthingsaccordingtothequantity[molem]of

    (their)length,breadthanddepth;accordingtotheexcellence(their)

    virtueextendingfar,wide,anddeeply,asisclearinthediffusion

    oflight;accordingtotheefficacyof(their)mostinterior,

    continualanddiffuseactivity,asisclearintheactivityoffire,

    manifestlyindicatestheimmensityofthepower,wisdomandgoodness

    oftheTriuneGodwhoinallotherthingsbypower,presence

    [praesentiam]andessenceexistsasOneuncircumscribed.

    Indeedtheirmultitudeaccordingto(their)general,specialand

    individualdiversityinsubstance,informorfigureandefficacious

    beyondeveryhumanestimation,manifestlyintimatesandshowsthe

    immensityoftheaforesaidthreeconditionsinGod.

    Moreoverthebeauty[pulcritudo]ofthingsaccordingtothevarietyof

    (their)lights,figuresandcolorsinbodiessimple,mixedandeven

    connected[complexionatis],asincelestialandmineralbodies,as

    stonesandmetals,plantsandanimals,proclaimsinanevidentmanner

    theaforesaidthreethings.

    Moreoverthefulnessofthings,accordingtowhich[secundumquod]

    matterisfullofformsaccordingtoseminalreasons;formisfullof

    virtueaccordingtoactivepower;virtueisfullofeffectsaccording

    toefficiency,manifestlydeclarestheverything.

    Themanifold[multiplex]activity(ofthings),accordingtothatwhich

    isnatural,accordingtothatwhichisartificial,accordingtothat

    whichismoral,byitsmostmanifoldvarietyshowstheimmensityof

    Hisvirtue,art,andgoodness,whichisforallthings"thecauseof

    existing[causaessendi],thereasonforunderstandingandtheorder

    ofliving".

    Moreovertheirorderaccordingtothereckoning[rationem]ofduration

    andinfluence,thatisbypriorandposterior,superiorandinferior,

    morenobleandmoreignoble,manifestlyintimatesintheBookof

    Creaturestheprimacy,sublimityanddignityoftheFirstPrinciple,

    asmuchasitregardstheinfinityofHispower;indeedtheorderof

    divinelaws,precepts,andjudgementsintheBookofScripturethe

    immensityofHiswisdom;moreovertheorderofdivineSacraments,

    benefactionsandretributionsintheBodyoftheChurchtheimmensity

    ofHisgoodness,sothattheorderitselfmostevidentlyleadsusby

    hand[manuducit]totheFirstandMostHigh,theMostPowerful,the

    MostWiseandtheBest.15.Thereforehewhoisnotbrightened

    [illustratur]bysuchsplendorsofcreatedthingsisblind;hewho

    doesnotawakeatsuchclamorsisdeaf;hewhodoesnotpraiseGodon

    accountof[ex]alltheseeffectsismute;hewhodoesnotturn

    towards[advertit]theFirstPrincipleonaccountofsuchindications

    [indiciis]isstupid——Openthereforeyoureyes,employyourspiritual

    ears,looseyourlipsandrouse[appone]yourheart,tosee,hear,

    praise,love[diligas]andworship[colas],magnfiyandhonoryourGod

    inallcreatures,lestperhapsthewholecircleoftheearthrise

    togetheragainstyou.Foronthisaccountthecircleoftheearthwill

    fightagainsttheinsensateandagainstthesensatetherewillbethe

    matterofglory,whoaccordingtotheProphetcansay:Thouhasloved

    [delectasti]me,Lord,inwhatyouaretodo[factura]andinthe

    worksofThyhandsshallIexult.HowmagnifiedareThyworks,Lord!

    youhavemadeallthingsinwisdom,theearthisfilledwithThy

    possesion.

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    CHAPTERII

    ONTHESIGHTOFGODINHISVESTIGESINTHISSENSIBLEWORLD

    1.Butsinceconcerningthesensiblereflectionnotonlydoesit

    happenthatGodiscontemplatedthroughtheseasthroughvestiges,but

    alsointhese,inasmuchasHeisinthemthroughessence,power,and

    presence;andthisistoconsiderHimhigherthanbefore[praecedens];

    forthatreasonaconsiderationofthiskindholdssecondplaceasthe

    secondstepofcontemplation,bywhichweoughttobeleadbyhandto

    contemplateGodinallothercreatures,whichenterourmindsthrough

    bodilysenses.2.Thereforeitmustbenoted,thatthisworld,which

    iscalledamacrocosm,entersoursoul,whichiscalledamicrocosm,

    throughthegatesofthefivesenses,accordingto(their)

    apprehension,enjoyment[oblectationem]anddijudicationofthese

    sensible(images).Thatthisisclearlyso:becauseinitcertain

    thingsaregenerating,certainthingsgenerated,certainthing

    governingtheformerandthelatter[haecetilla].Thethings

    generatingarethesimplebodies,thatisthecelestialbodiesandthe

    fourelements.Forfromtheelementsbyvirtueofalightunifying

    [conciliantis]thecontrarietyofelementsinmixturestherehasbeen

    generatedandproduced,whateverisgeneratedandproducedbythe

    activityofnaturalvirtue.Butthethingsgeneratedarethebodies

    composedfromtheelements,asminerals,vegetables,sensiblesand

    humanbodies.Thethingsrulingtheformerandthelatterarethe

    spiritualsubstanceswhetherentirelyconjoined,asarethebrute

    animals,orconjoinedinaseparablemanner[separabiliter],asare

    therationalspirits,orconjoinedinaninseparablemanner

    [inseparabiliter],asarethecelestialspirits,whomthephilosophers

    nameIntelligences,wetheAngles.Towhomaccordingtophilosophers

    itpertains[competit]tomovethecelestialbodies,andforthis

    reasontothemthereisattributedtheadministrationoftheuniverse,

    takingup[suscipiendo]fromtheFirstCause,thatisfromGod,the

    influenceofvirtue,whichtheypourbackaccordingtotheworkof

    governing,whichrespects[respicit]thenaturalconsistencyof

    things.Moreoveracccordingtotheologiansthereisattributedto

    thesesamethecontrol[regimen]oftheuniverseaccordingtothe

    empireoftheMostHighGodasmuchasregardstheworksof

    reparation,accordingtowhatiscalledthespiritsofadministration,

    sentonaccountofthosewhohavesiezedtheinheritanceofsalvation.

    3.Mantherefore,whoiscalledthemicrocosm,hasfivesenseslike

    fivegates,throughwhichaquaintancewith[cognitio]allthings,

    whichareinthesensibleworld,entersintohissoul.Forthrough

    visionthereentersbodiessublimeandluminousandtheothercolored

    things,butthroughtouchbodiessolidandterrestrial,indeedthrough

    thethreeintermediarysensesthereentersintermediarythings,as

    throughtasteliquids[aquea],throughhearinggases[a雛ea],through

    smellvapours[vaporabilia],whichhavesomethingofthehumidnature,

    somethingofthegaseous[a雛ea],somethingofthefiery[ignea]or

    hot(nature),asisclearinthesmokereleasedfromaromatics

    [aromatibus].Thereforethereentersthroughthesegatesbothsimple

    bodiesandalsocompositeones,fromthese(whichare)mixted.But

    becauseinsensing[sensu]weperceivenoonlytheseparticular

    sensibles,whicharelight,sound,odor,tasteandthefourprimary

    qualities,whichapprehend(our)touch;butalsothecommonsensibles,

    whicharenumber,magnitude,figure,restandmovement[motus];both

    "all,whichismovedismovedbyanother"andcertainthingsaremoved

    bythemselvesandrest,asaretheanimals:whilethroughthosefive

    sensesweapprehendthemovementofbodies,weareleadbyhand

    towardsaquaintancewithspiritualmoversasthroughaneffecttowards

    acquaintancewithitscauses.

    4.Thereforethereenters,asmuchasregardsthreegeneraofthings,

    intothehumansoulthroughapprehension,thatwholesensibleworld.

    Moreovertheseexteriorsensiblesarethosewhichatfirststepinto

    thesoulthroughthegatesofthefivesenses;theyenter,Isay,not

    throughsubstances,butthroughtheirsimilitudesatfirstgenerated

    inthemidstandfromthemidstintheorganandfromtheexterior

    organintheinterior,andfromthisintotheapprehensivepower;and

    thusthegenerationofthespeciesinthemidstandfromthemidstin

    theorganandtheconversionoftheapprehensivepoweroveritcauses

    [facit]theapprehensionofallthesewhichthesoulapprehends

    exteriorly.

    5.Tothisapprehension,ifitbelongstosomethingagreeable[rei

    convenientis],therefollowsenjoyment.Moreoverthesensetakes

    delight[delectatur]intheobjectperceivedthroughtheabstract

    similitudeand/or[vel]byreasonofitsbeauty[speciositatis],asin

    sight,and/orbyreasonofitssavor,asinsmellandhearing,and/or

    byreasonofitswholesomeness[salubritatis],asintasteandtouch,

    respectively[appropriateloquendo].Moreovereverydelectationisby

    reasonofitsproportionality.Butsincethespeciesholdsthereason

    fortheform,virtueandactivity,accordingtowhichithasa

    relation[respectum]tothebegining,fromwhichitflows[manat],to

    themiddle,throughwhichitpassesover,andtotheend,inwhichit

    acts;forthatreasonproportionalityeitherisattendedin

    similitude,accordingtowhichitaccounts[habetrationem]forthe

    speciesorform,andsoiscalledbeauty[speciositas],because

    "beauty[pulchritudo]isnothingotherthannumeric[numerosa]

    equality",or"acertainoneofthepartsofposition[situs]together

    withthesavorofcolor".Orproportionalityattends,inasmuchasit

    accounts[habetrationem]forpowerorvirtue,andsoiscalledsavor,

    whenactingvirtuedoesnotimproportionatelyexceedtherecipient;

    becausesenseissaddenedinextremesandtakesdelightinmeans.Or

    itisattended,inasmuchasitaccountsforefficacyandimpression,

    whichisthenproportional,whenactinginimpressingitfillsfull

    theindigenceoftheoneimpressed[patientis],andthisistosave

    andfeed[nutrire]itself,whichmostappearsintasteandtouch.And

    thusthroughenjoymentexteriordelectables,accordingtothethree

    foldreasonfortakingdelight,enterintothesoulthrough

    similitude.

    6.Afterthisapprehensionandenjoymentthereoccurs[fit]

    dijudication,bywhichnotonlyisitdistinguished[diiudicatur],

    whetherthisbewhite,and/orblack,becausethispertains[pertinet]

    toaparticularsense;notonly,whetheritbewholesome,andor

    noxious[nocivum],becausethispertainstointeriorsense;butalso,

    becauseitisdistinguishedandanaccount[rationem]isrendered,why

    ittakesdelightinthis;andinthisactoneinquiresfor[inquiritur

    de]areasonforthedelectation,whichinthesenseisperceivedfrom

    theobject.Thisismoreover,whenthereasonforthebeautiful

    [pulcri],savoryandwholesomeissought:andonefinds[invenitur]

    thatthisistheproportionofequality.Moreoverthereasonfor

    equalityisthesameingreatthingsandinsmallanditneitheris

    extendedindimensionsnorsucceedsorpassesoverwiththosethings

    passingovernorisitalteredbymovements.Thereforeitabstracts

    [abstrahit]fromplace,timeandmovement,andforthisreasonitis

    thoroughlyunchangeable[incommutabilis],uncircumscribableand

    entirelyspiritual.Thereforedijudicationisanaction,whichcauses

    [facit]thesensiblespecies,acceptedsensiblythroughsense,togo

    intotheintellectivepowerbypruning[deputando]andabstracting

    (it).Andthus,thiswholeworldhastogointo[introirehabet]the

    humansoulthroughthegatesofthesensesaccordingtothethree

    aforesaidactivities.

    7.Moreoverallthesearevestiges,inwhichwegazeupon[speculari]

    OurGod.Forsincethespeciesapprehendedisasimilitudeborninthe

    midstandthenimpressedontheorganitselfandthroughthat

    impressionitleadsintoitsbeginning,thatisintotheobjectwith

    whichoneistobecomeacquainted;itmanifestlyintimates,thatthat

    OnewhoistheinvisibleimageofGodandthesplendorofHisglory

    andthefigureofHissubstance,whoiseverywherebyHisfirst

    generation——asanobjectinthecenter[totomedio]generatesitsown

    similitude——isunitedbythegraceofunion——asaspeciestothe

    bodilyorgan——toanindividualofrationalnature,toleadusback

    throughthatuniontotheFatherastothefontalbeginingandobject.

    Thereforeasallthingswithwhichonecanbecomeacquaintedhaveto

    generate[habetgenerare]theirownspecies,theymanifestlyproclaim,

    thatinthemasinmirrorscanbeseentheeternalgenerationofthe

    Word,theImageandSoneternallyemanatingfromGodtheFather.

    8.Accordingtothismanner(ofspeaking)thespeciestakingdelight

    asonebeautiful[speciosa],savoryandwholesome,intimates,thatin

    thatfirstspeciesthereisprimebeauty[speciositas],savorand

    wholesomeness,inwhichthereismosthighproportionalityand

    equalitytotheonegenerating;inwhichthereisunstaining

    [illabens]virtue,notthroughphantasm,butthroughthetruthof

    apprehension:inwhichthereissavingimpression,expellingboth

    substitutes[sufficientes]andeveryindigenceofapprehension.If

    therefore"delectationisaconjunctionofagreeable[convenientis]to

    agreeable";andsolelythesimilitudeofGodaccountsmosthighlyfor

    thebeautiful[speciosi],savoryandthewholesome;anditisunited

    accordingtotruthandinteriority[intimitatem]andfulnessfilling

    fulleverycapacity:itcanmanifestlybeseen,thatinGodalone

    thereisfontalandtruedelectation,andthatweareleadbyhandto

    requirethatfrom[ex]alldelectations.

    9.Moreoverbyamoreexcellentandimmediatemannerdijudication

    leadsustogazeupon[inspeculandam]eternaltruthwithmore

    certainty[certius].Forifdijudicationhasoccured[fieri]through

    reasonabstractingfromplace,timeandmutabilityandforthisreason

    fromdimension,successionandtransmutation,throughimmutableand

    incircumscriptibleandinterminalbereason;nothinghoweveris

    entirelyimmutable,incircumscriptibleandinterminalbe,exceptwhat

    iseternal;everthinghoweverwhichiseternal,isGod,and/orinGod:

    ifthereforeallthings,howevermorecertainlywedistinguish

    [diiudicamus]them,wedistinguishthroughreasonofthiskind;itis

    clear,thatHehimselfisthereasonforallthingsandtheinfallible

    ruleandthelightoftruth,inwhichallotherthingsglitters

    infallibly,indelibly,undoubtedly,unbreakably,indistinguishably

    [indiiudicabiliter],thoroughlyunchangeably,unconfinably,

    interminably,indivisibly,andintellectually.Andforthatreason

    thoselaws,throughwhichwejudgewithcertainty[certitudinaliter]

    concerningallsensibles,comingintoourconsideration;althoughthey

    areinfallibleandundoubtablebytheintellectoftheone

    apprehending(them),indeliblefromthememoryoftheonerecalling

    (them)asthingsalwayspresent,unbreakableandindistinguishableby

    theintellectoftheonejudging(them),because,asAugustinesays

    "noonejudgesfromthem,butthroughthem":itisnecessary,that

    theybethoroughlyunchangeableandincorruptibleasnecessaries,

    unconfinableasuncircumscribed,interminableaseternals,andfor

    thisreasonindivisableasintellectualandincorporeal(beings),not

    made,butuncreated,eternallyexistingintheeternalArt,from

    which,throughwhichandaccordingtowhichallshapely[formosa]

    thingsareformed;andforthatreasontheycannotbewithcertainty

    judgedexceptthroughThatwhichwasnotonlyproducingallother

    forms,butalsoconservinganddistinguishing[distinguens]all

    others,astheBeing[ens]holdingtheformanddirectingtherule

    [regula]overallthings,andthroughWhichourminddistinguishes

    [diiudicat]allothers,whichenterintoitselfthroughthesenses.

    10.Moreoverthisspeculationbroadensaccordingtotheconsideration

    ofsevennumerciallydifferentthings[differentiarumnumerorum],by

    whichasbysevenstepsoneclimbsthoroughlyintoGod,accordingto

    thatwhichAugustine(says)inhisbookDeveraReligioneandinits

    sixth(chapter)Musicae,whereheassignesnumerciallydifferent

    thingsclimbingstep-by-step[gradatim]thoroughlyfromthese

    sensibleseventotheArtisanofall,sothatGodisseeninall(of

    them).Forhesays,thatnumbersareinbodiesandmostinsoundsand

    voices,andthesehenamesnotes[sonantes];thatnumbers(havebeen)

    abstractedfromtheseandreceivedinoursenses,andthesehenames

    messages[occursores];numbers(are)procedingfromthesoulintothe

    body,asisclearingesticulationsandgestured-dances

    [saltationibus],andthesehenamesinstructions[progressors];that

    (thereare)numbersinthedelectationsofthesensefromthe

    conversionofintentionoverthespeciesreceived,andthesehenames

    sensations[sensuales];thatnumbers(havebeen)retainedinthe

    memory,andthesehecallsmemories[memoriales];that(thereare)

    evennumbers,throughwhichwejudgeconcerningallthesethings,and

    thesehenamesjudgements[iudiciales],whichashasbeensaidare

    necessarilyabovethemindasinfalliblesandindistinguishables.By

    thesemoreoverthereareimpresseduponourmindsartificialnumbers,

    whichneverthelessAugustinedoesnotennumerateamongthosesteps,

    becausetheyhavebeenconnectedwithjudgements;andfromtheseflow

    thenumber-intructions,fromwhicharecreatednumerousformsof

    crafts[artificiatorum],sothatfrommosthighthingsthroughmiddle

    thingstowardsthelowestthingsanordereddescentcomesintobeing

    [fiat].Towardsthesewealsoascendstep-by-stepbynumbers(that

    are)notes,intervening[mediantibus]messages,sensations,and

    memories.Thereforesinceallthingsarebeautiful[pulcra]andina

    certainmannerdelectable;andbeauty[pulcritudo]anddelectationare

    notapartfromproportion;andproportionisfirstinnumbers:itis

    necessary,thatallthingsbenumerous;andforthisreason"numberis

    theforemost[praecipuum]exemplarinthemind[animo]ofthe

    Founder";andinthingstheforemostvestigeleadingtoWisdom.

    Becausewhen(thisvestige)ismostevidenttoallandclosesttoGod,

    andmostcloselyasthroughsevendifferencesleadsintoGodand

    causes[facit],ustoacquaintourselveswithHiminallother

    corporalandsensiblethings,weatthesametime[dum]apprehend

    numerousthings,takedelightinnumerousproportionsandjudgemost

    securely[irrefragabiliter]bymeansof[per]lawsofnumerous

    proportions.

    11.Fromthesetwofirststeps,bywhichweareleadbyhandtogaze

    uponGodin(His)vestigesasafterthemannerofthetwowings

    decendingaboutthefeet,wecangather,thatallcreaturesofthis

    sensibleworldleadthespirit[animum]oftheonecontemplatingand

    tasting[sapientis](them)intotheeternalGod,forthereason[pro

    eo]thatofthatFirstPrinciplemostpowerful,mostwiseandbest,of

    thateternalOrigin,Light,andFullness,ofthat,Isay,Art

    efficient,exemplary[exemplantis]andordering[ordinantis]thereare

    shadows,resonances[resonantia]andpictures,therearevestiges,

    likenesses[simulacra]andspectaclesdivinelygiventousasfirst

    premisesofasyllogism[proposita]andsignstosurvey[contuendum]

    God;which,Isay,areexemplaryand/orratherexamples[exemplata],

    proposedtomindsstillroughandsensible,tobetransferredthrough

    thesensibles,whichtheysee,totheintelligibles,whichtheydonot

    see,asthroughsignstothingssignified[signata].

    12.Moreoverthesemannerofcreaturesofthissensibleworldsignify

    theinvisiblethingsofGod,partlybecauseGodistheOrigin,

    ExemplarandEnd,ofeverycreature,and(because)everyeffectisa

    signofacause,andanexampleofanexemplar,andawayfortheend,

    towardswhichitleads:partlyfromitsownrepresentation;partlyfrom

    apropheticprefiguration;partlyfromangelicactivity;partlyfroma

    superaddedinstitution.Foreverycreatureby[ex]itsnatureisa

    certainlikenessandsimilitudeofthateternalWisdom,andespecially

    thosethingswhichhavebeenassumedinthebookofScripturethrough

    thespiritofprophecyfortheprefigurationofspiritualthings;

    moreovermoreespeciallythosecreatures,inthelikenessofwhichGod

    haswilledtoappearasanangelicminister;butmostespeciallythat

    whichHewilledtoinstituteforsignification[adsignificandum],

    whichnotonlyaccountsfor[secundum]thecommonnameofsign,but

    alsoofSacrament.

    13.Fromallofwhichisgathered,thattheinvisiblethingsofGod

    fromthecreaturesoftheworld,throughthosewhichhavebeenmade,

    areperceivedasthingsunderstood[intellecta].sothatthosewhodo

    notwanttoadverttotheseandtoacquaintthemselveswith,blessand

    loveGodinalltheseareinexcusablesolongas[dum]theydonot

    wanttobetransferedfromdarknessintotheadmirablelightofGod.

    ButthankstoGodthroughJesusChrist,OurLord,whohastransferred

    usfromdarknessintoHisownadmirablelight,whilethroughthese

    lightsgivenexteriorlytothemirror[speculum]ofourmindinwhich

    divinethingsglitter,wedispose(ourselves)toreenter.

    _________________________________________________________________

    CHAPTERIII

    ONTHESIGHTOFGODTHROUGHHISIMAGEMARKEDONNATURALPOWERS

    1.Moreoversincethetwoaforesaidsteps,byleadingusintoGod

    throughHisvestiges,thoughwhichHeglittersinallothercreatures,

    hasleadusbyhandevenuntothis,toreenterourselves,thatisour

    mind,inwhichtheDivineImageglitters;henceitisthatalreadyin

    thethirdplace,enteringourveryselvesandasifreliquishingthe

    outerentrancehall[atriumforinsecus],intheHolies,thatisinthe

    anteriorpartoftheTabernacle,weoughttobegintoseeGodas

    throughamirror[perspeculum];whereafterthemannerofa

    candlesticktheLightofTruthglittersuponthefaceofourmind,in

    which,thatis,theImageoftheMostBlessedTrinityglittersagain

    [respelndet].Enterthereforeyourselfandsee,thatyourmindmost

    ferventlyloves[amat]itself;norcanitloveitself,unlessitknows

    [nosset];nordoesitknow[nosset]itself,unlessitremembers

    itself,becausewecansiezenothingthroughunderstanding

    [intelligentiam],thatisnotpresentamong[apud]ourmemory;and

    fromthisyouadvert,thatyoursoulhasathreefoldpower,notinthe

    eyeoftheflesh,butintheeyeofthemind.Thereforeconsiderthe

    activitiesandcharacteristics[habitudines]ofthesethreepowers,

    andyoucanseeGodthroughyourselfasthroughanimage,whichisto

    see(Him)throughamirrorinmystery[perspeculuminaenigmate].

    2.Moreovertheactivityofthememoryistheretentionand

    representationnotonlyofthingspresent,corporalandtemporal,but

    alsoofthingscomingafterwards[succendentium],simpleand

    sempiternal.Forthememoryretainsthingspast[praeterita]through

    remembrance,thingspresentthroughcapture[susceptionem],things

    futurethroughforesight[praevisionem].Italsoretainssimple

    things,liketheprinciplesofcontinuousanddiscretequantities,

    suchas[ut]point,presence[instans]andunity,withoutwhichitis

    impossibletorememberorthinkofthosethingswhicharederived

    [principiantur]bymeansofthem.Neverthelessitretainsthe

    principlesandranks[dignitates]ofthesciences[scientiarum],as

    sempiternalthingsandinasempiternalmanner,becauseitcannever

    soforgetthem,whileitusesreason,onthecontrary[quin]it

    approvesthosethingsheardandassentstothem,perceives(them)not

    asfromsomethingnew,butrecognizes[recognoscat]themasthings

    innateandfamiliartoitself;asisclear,istheself-evident[se

    proponaturalicui]:"Theaffirmationand/ornegationofanything";

    and/or"Everywholeisgreaterthanitspart",and/orwhateverother

    rank,forwhichthereisnocontradiction[contradicere]"inaccord

    withinternalreason".Thereforefromthefirstactualretentionof

    alltemporalthings,thatisofallthingspast,present,andfuture,

    ithasalikenesstoeternity,whoseindivisiblepresenceextends

    itselftoalltimes.Fromtheseconditappears,thatitnotonlyhas

    tobeitselfformedfromtheexteriorthroughphantasms,butalsofrom

    thesuperiorbytakingupsimpleforms,whichcannotnotenterthrough

    thegatesofthesensesandthephantasiesofsensibles.Fromthe

    thirdishad,thatithasitselfathoroughlyunchangeablelight

    presenttoitself,inwhichitremembersthetruthofinvariables.And

    thusthroughtheactivitiesofmemoryitappears,thatthesoulitself

    isanimageandsimilitudeofGod,tothisextent,thatpresentto

    itselfandhavingHimpresent,itseizesHimbyactandthroughpower

    "itiscapableofHimandcanbeaparticipant"(inHim).

    3.Moreovertheactivityofintellectivevirtueisintheperception

    oftheunderstanding[intellectus]ofterms,propositions,and

    illations.Moreoveritsiezeswhatissignifiedbytheunderstanding

    ofterms,whenitcomprehends,whateachthing[unumquodque]isby

    definition.Butdefinitionhastooccurthroughthingssuperior,and

    theselatterhavetobedefinedbythingssuperior,untilonecomesto

    thingssupremeandmostgeneral,whichwhenignored[ignoratis],

    inferiorscannotbedefinitivelyunderstood.Thereforeunlesswhatone

    becomeacquaintedwithwhatabeingis[estens]throughitself,there

    cannotbefullyadefinitionofanythingofaspecialsubstance.Nor

    canonebecomeacquaintedwithabeingthroughitself,unlessone

    becomeacquaintedwithittogetherwith[cum]itsconditions,which

    are:theone,thetrue,thegood.Moreoverwithbeing,whenitcanbe

    thoughtof[cogitari]asdiminishedandcomplete,asimperfectandas

    perfect,asbeinginpotency[inpotentia]andasbeinginact,as

    beingsecundumquidandasbeingsimply-speaking,aspartlybeing[ens

    inparte]andwhollybeing[enstotaliter],astransientbeingandas

    stablebeing[ensmanens],asbeingthroughanotherandasbeing

    throughitself,asbeingcommingled[permixtum]withnon-beingasas

    purebeing,asdependentbeingandasabsolutebeing,asposterior

    beingandaspriorbeing,asmutablebeingandasimmutablebeing,as

    simplebeingasascompositebeing,since"itsprivationsanddefects

    onecanbeinnowisebecomeacquaintedexceptthroughitspositions",

    ourintellectdoesnotcometoresolve[venitutresolvens]fullythe

    understandingofanythingofexisting[entium]creatures,unlessitbe

    aidedbytheunderstandingofthemostpure,mostactual,most

    completeandabsolutebeing;whichisBeingsimplyandeternal,in

    whichtherearereasonsforallthingsinitspurity.Moreoverinwhat

    mannerdoestheintellectknow[sciret],thatthisbeingisdefective

    andincomplete,ifithasnoacquaintancewithbeingapartfromany

    fault?Andthusconcerningtheotherthingsalreadytouchedupon

    [praelibatis].Moreovertheintellectissaidnexttotrulycomprehend

    theunderstandingofpropositions,whenitknows[scit]with

    certitude,thattheyaretrue;andtoknowthisistoknow,sinceit

    cannotfailinitscomprehension.Foritknows,thatthattruthcannot

    otherwiseberegarded[sehabere];thereforeitknows,thatthattruth

    isnotthoroughlychangeable.Butsinceourminditselfisthoroughly

    changeable,itcannotseethat(truth)glitteringinsothoroughlyan

    unchangeablemannerunlessthroughanotherlightradiatingentirelyin

    athoroughlyunchangeablemanner,whichcannotpossiblybe[impossible

    estesse]amutuablecreature.Thereforeitknowsinthatlight,which

    illumineseverymancommingintothisworld,whichistheTrueLight

    andtheWordinthebeginingwithGod.Butourintellectnexttruly

    perceivestheunderstandingofillation,whenitsees,thatthe

    conclusionfollowsnecessariloyfromthepremises;becausenotonly

    doesitseeinnecessaryterms,butalincontingents,as,ifaman

    run,amanismoved.Moreoveritperceivesthisnecessary

    characteristicnotonlyinthingsexisting[entibus],butalsoin

    non-existingones.Foras,withmanexisting,itfollows:ifmanruns,

    manismoved;soalso,(when)non-existing.Thereforethenecessityof

    illationsofthismannerdoesnotcomefromtheexistenceofathing

    inmatter,whichiscontingent,norfromexistenceofathinginthe

    soul,whichthenwouldbeafiction,ifdidnotexist[esset]inthe

    thing:thereforeitcomesfromtheexemplarityintheeternalArt,

    accordingtowhichthethinghasanaptitudeandcharacteristic

    alternatively[adinvicem]accordingtotheeternalArt-s

    representationofit.Therefore,asAugustinesaysinDevera

    religione,everylightofonewhoreasonstrulyisenkindledbythat

    Truthandexertsitself[nititur]toarriveatIt.Fromwhichit

    appearsmanifestly,thatourintellecthasbeenconjoinedtoeternal

    Truthitself,whileitcannotwithcertitudesiezeanythingtruly

    unlessthroughlearningaboutIt[perillamdocentem].Thereforeyou

    canseethroughyouselftheTruth,whichteachsyou,ifconcupiscences

    andphantasmsdonotimpedeyouanddonotinterposethemselvesas

    cloudsbetweenyouandtherayofTruth.

    4.Moreovertheactivityofelectivevirtueisattendedincounsel,

    judgementanddesire.Moreovercounselisininquiring,whatbebetter

    thisorthat.Butitisnotcalledbetterunlessthroughaccesstothe

    best;howeveraccessisaccordingtothegreaterassimiliation;

    thereforenooneknowswhetherthisbebetterthanthat,unlesshe

    knows,thatitismoreassimilatedtothebest.However,nooneknows,

    thatanythingisassimilatedmoretoanother,unlesshebecomes

    acquaintedwithit;fornotIdonotknow[scio],thatthisislike

    Peter,unlessIknow[sciam]orbecomeacquaintedwithPeter;

    thereforeuponeveryonegivingcounselthereisnecessarilyimpressed

    thenotionoftheMostHighGood.Moreovercertainjudgementfrom

    thoseabletogivecounselesthroughsomelaw.Howevernoonejudges

    withcertaintythroughlaw,unlesshebecertainthatthatlawis

    upright[recta],andthatoneoughtnotjudgeit;butourmindjudges

    about[de]itsveryself:thereforesinceitcannotjudgeaboutthe

    law,throughwhichitjudges;thatlawissuperiortoourmind,andit

    judgesthroughthis,accordingtothatwhichisimpresseduponitself.

    Howevernothingissuperiortothehumanmind,excepttheOnealone

    whomadeit;thereforeinjudgingourdeliverative(power)extendsto

    divinelaws,ifitwouldgiveafullexplanation[resolutione

    dissolvat].Moreoverdesireisprincipallyforthatwhichmostmoves

    it.Howeverthatmovesmostwhichlovesmost;howevertobeblessedis

    lovedmost;howevertobeblessedisnothadexceptthroughthebest

    andlastend:thereforehumandesireseeksafter[appetit]nothing

    exceptbecause(itis)theMostHighGood,and/orbecauseitisfor

    That,and/orbecauseithascomelikenesstoIt.Sogreatistheforce

    oftheMostHighGood,thatnothingcanbelovedbyacreatureexcept

    throughadesireforIt,which(creature)thereby[tunc]failsand

    errs,sinceitacceptsalikenessandimitation[simulacrum]inplace

    oftheTruth[proveritate].Thereforesee,inwhatmannerthesoulis

    nightoGod,andinwhatmannerthememoryleadsintoeternity,the

    intelligenceintoTruth,theelectivepowerintotheMostHigh

    Goodnessaccordingtotheiractivities.

    5.Moreoveraccordingtotheorderandoriginandcharacteristicof

    thesepowers(thesoul)leadsintotheMostBlessedTrinityItself.

    Forfrommemorytherearisesintelligenceasitsoffspring[proles],

    becausewenextunderstand,sincethesimilitude,whichisinthe

    memory,resultsinthekeeness[acies]oftheintellect,whichis

    nothingotherthanaword;frommemoryandintelligenceisspirated

    love[amor]astheconnexion[nexus]ofboth.Thesethree,thatisthe

    generatingmind,word,andlove,areinthesoulinregardtothe

    memory,intelligenceandthewill,whichareconsubstantial,coeternal

    andcoeval,circumcessingoneanother.ThereforeiftheperfectGodis

    aspirit,Hehasmemory,intelligenceandwill,Hehasalsoabegotten

    WordandaspiratedLove,whicharenecessarilydistinguished,since

    oneisproducedfromtheother,notessentially,notaccidentally,

    thereforepersonally.Thereforewhilethemindconsidersitsvery

    self,throughitselfasthroughamirroritrisestogethertogaze

    upontheBlessedTrinityoftheFather,theWordandtheLove,ofthe

    threecoeternal,coequalandconsubstantialpersons,sothatwhoever

    inwhomeverisoftheothers,isneverthelessonenottheother,but

    thethreethemselvesaretheOneGod.

    6.Towardsthisspeculationwhichthesoulhasconcerningitsown

    beginning,triuneandonethroughthetrinityofitspowers,through

    whichitisanimageofGod,oneisassistedthroughthelightsofthe

    sciences[scientiarum],whichperfectitandinformitandrepresent

    theMostBlessedTrinityinathreefoldmanner.Foreveryphilosophy

    eitherisnatural,orrational,ormoral.Thefirstdealswith[agit

    de]thecauseofexisting,andforthatreasonleadsintothepowerof

    theFather;thesecondwiththereasonforunderstanding,andforthat

    reasonleadsintothewisdomoftheWord;thethirdwiththeorderof

    living,andforthatreasonleadsintothegoodnessoftheHoly

    Spirit.Again,thefirstisdividedintometaphysics,mathematicsand

    physics.Andthefirstconcerns[estde]thebeings[essentiis]of

    things,thesecondnumbersandfigures,thethirdnatures,virtuesand

    diffuseaccitivies.AndforthatreasonthefirstleadsintotheFirst

    Principle,theFather,thesecondintoHisImage,theSon,thethird

    intothegiftoftheHolySpirit.Thesecondisdividedintogrammer,

    whichmakesusable[potentes]toexpress;intologic,whichmakesus

    perspicacioustoargue;intorhetoric,whichmakesusskillful

    [habiles]topersuadeormove.Andthissimilarlyintimatesthe

    mystery[mysterium]oftheMostBlessedTrinityItself.Thethirdis

    dividedintothemonastic,thedomestic[oeconomicam]andthe

    political.Andforthatreasonthefirstintimatestheunbegottenness

    oftheFirstPrinciple,thesecondtheSon-sbeing-in-a-family

    [familiaritas],thethirdtheliberalityoftheHolySpirit.

    7.Moreoverallthesescienceshavecertainandinfalliblerulesas

    lightsandraysdescendingfromtheeternallawinourmind.Andfor

    thatreasonourmindirradiatedandsuperfusedbysogreatsplendors,

    unlessitbeblind,canbeleadbyhandthroughitsveryselfto

    contemplatethateternalligbht.Moreovertheirradiationand

    considerationofthislightsuspendswisemenintoadmirationand

    converselyitleadsthefoolish,whodonotbelieve,thattheydo

    understand,intoconfusion[perturbationem],tofulfillthatprophetic

    (word):Thouilluminatingfrometernalmountains,haveunsettled

    [turbatisunt]thefoolishofheart.

    _________________________________________________________________

    CHAPTERIV

    ONTHESIGHTOFGODINHISIMAGEREFORMEDBYGRATUITOUSGIFTS

    1.Butsincenotonlywhenpassingoverthroughus,butalsoinus

    doesithappenthattheFirstPrincipleiscontemplated.;andthisis

    greaterthanthepreceeding:forthatreasonthisfourthmannerof

    consideringreaches[obtinet]thestepofcontemplation.Moreoverit

    iswonderfultosee,whenitisshown,thatGodissoclosetoour

    minds,becausetosofewdoesitbelongtogazeupon[speculari]the

    FirstPrincipleintheirveryselves.Butthereason(forthis)is

    easy[inpromptu],becausethehumanmind,distractedbycares

    [sollicitudinibus],doesnotenterintoitselfthroughmemory;

    beclouded[obnubilata]byphantasms,itdoesnotgobacktowards

    itselfthroughintelligence;enticedbyconcupiscences,itturnsback

    notatalltowardsitselfthroughadesireforinternalsavorand

    spiritualgladness.Forthatreasonlyingdown[iacet]totallyin

    thesesenses,itcannotreenterintoitselfasintoanimageofGod.

    2.Andsince,whereonehasfallen,therehewillinevitablyfalldown

    again,unlesssomeoneplaceshimselfnearbyandliesbyitsside,to

    raisehim;oursoulcouldnotbeperfectlyrevealedbythesesensesto

    surveyitselfandtheeternalTruthinitsveryself,unlessthe

    Truth,havingassumedahumanforminChrist,becamebyItsownpower

    [fieretsibi]thestairwayrepairingthepriorstairway,whichhad

    beenbrokeninAdam

    Forthatreason,howevermuchonebeilluminatedbythelightofnature

    andacquiredknowledge,onecannotenterintohimself,todelightin

    hisveryselfintheLord,unlessbymeans[mediante]ofChrist,who

    says:Iamthedoor.HewhogoeswithinthroughMe,shallbesavedand

    hewillstepinandoutandfindpasture.Moreoverwedonotapproach

    towardsthisdoor,unlesswebelieve,hopeandlove.Itistherefore

    necessary,ifwewanttoreentertothefruitionofTruthasto

    paradise,thatwestepinthroughfaith,hopeandloveoftheMediator

    ofGodandman,JesusChrist,whoisasthetreeoflifeinthemidst

    ofparadise.

    3.Thereforetheimageofourmindmustbeputon[superviestienda]by

    thethreetheologicalvirtues,bywhichthesoulispurified,andthus

    theimageisreformedandisconformed[conformisefficitur]tothe

    supernalJerusalemandmadeapartoftheChurchmilitant,whichis,

    accordingtotheApostle,theoffspringoftheheavenlyJerusalem.For

    hesaid:ThatwhichisonhighisthatfreeJerusalemwhichisour

    mother.Thereforethesoul,believing,hopingandlovingJesusChrist,

    whoistheincarnate,uncreatedandinspiredword,thatistheway,

    thetruthandthelife:whilethroughfaithitbelievesinChristas

    intheuncreatedWord,whichistheWordandsplendoroftheFather,

    itrecovers[recuperat]itsspiritualhearingandsight,hearingto

    perceive[adsuscipiendum]thesermonsofChrist,sighttoconsider

    thesplendorsofHislight.Moreoverwhenbyhopeitlongstocapture

    [adsuscipiendum]theinspiredWord,throughdesireandaffection

    [affection]itrecoversitsspiritualsmell[olfactum].Whileby

    charityitholdsfast[complectitur]theincarnateWord,asonetaking

    [suscipiens]delightfromHimandasonepassingoverintoHimthough

    ecstaticlove[amorem],itrecoverstasteandtouch.Withwhichsenses

    havingbeenrecovered,whileitseesandlistenstoitsspouse,it

    smells,tastesandembraces[amplexatur]Him,asabridecansing

    repeatedly[decantare]theCanticleofCanticles,whichhadbeen

    writtenfortheexerciseofcontemplationaccordingtothisfourth

    step,whichnoonelaysholdof[capit],excepthewhoacceptsit,

    becausethereismoreinaffectualexperiencethaninrational

    consideration.Foronthisstep,withitsinteriorsensesrepairedto

    sensetheMostHighBeauty[pulcrum],toheartheMostHighHarmony,

    tosmelltheMostHighFragrance[odoriferum],totakeatasteofthe

    MostHighSavor,toapprehendtheMostHighDelectable,thesoulis

    disposedtowardsmentalexcesses,thatisthroughdevotion,admiration

    andexultation,accordtothosethreeexclamations,whicharemadein

    theCanticleofCanticles.Ofwhichthefirstoccursthroughan

    abundanceofdevotion,throughwhichthesoulbecomesasastreamof

    smoke[virgulafumi](rising)fromaromaticsofmyrrhandincense:the

    secondthroughexcellenceofadmiration,throughwhichthesoul

    becomesasdawn,moonandson,accordingtotheprocessof

    illuminationssuspendingthesoultoadmirethespouse(thus)

    considered;thethirdthroughasuperabundanceofexsulation,through

    whichthesoulbecomesaffluent[affluens]withthemostsavory

    delightsofdelectation,leaningtotallyuponitsbeloved[delectum].

    4.Whichwhenattained[adeptis],ourspiritismadehierarchicalto

    climbthoroughlyonhighaccordingtoitsconformitytothatsupernal

    Jerusalem,inwhichnooneenters,unlessitdescendsfirstintothe

    heartbygrace,asJohnsawinhisApocalyspe.Moreoveritdescends

    nextintotheheart,whenthroughreformationoftheimage,through

    thetheologicalvirtuesandthroughtheenjoymentsofthespiritual

    sensesandthesuspensionsofexcessesourspiritismade

    hierarchical,thatispurged,illuminatedandperfected——Soalsoby

    ninestepsofordersis(thesoul)marked,whileinit,inanorderly

    manner,thereisarraingedannouncement,dictation,duction,

    ordination,reinforcement[roboratio],command[imperatio],

    undertaking,revelation,unction,whichstep-by-stepcorrespondsto

    thenineordersofAngels,sothatthefirstoftheaforesaidthree

    stepspertaininthehumanmindtonature,thethreefollowingto

    skill[industriam],andthelastthreetograce.Whichwhenhad,the

    soulbyenteringintoitsveryself,entersintothesupernal

    Jerusalem,whereconsideringtheordersoftheAngels,itseesinthem

    theGod,whodwellinginthemworks[operatur]alltheiroperations.

    Whencesays(St.)BernardadEugenium,that"GodintheSeraphim

    lovesascharity,intheCherubimknows[novit]astruth,inthe

    Thronessitsasequity,intheDominationsdominatesasmajesty,in

    thePrincipalitiesrulesasPrinciple,inthePowersguardsashealth,

    intheVirtuesworksasvirtue,intheArchangelsrevealsaslight,in

    theAngelsassistsaspiety".FromallofwhichitisseenthatGodis

    allinallthroughcontemplationofHiminminds,inwhichHedwells

    bythegiftsofthemostaffluentcharity.

    5.MoreovertheconsiderationofSacredScripture,divinelysentforth

    [immissae],isespeciallyandchieflyissupported[adminiculatur]

    uponspeculating[adspeculationes]on(this)step,asphilosphywas

    onthepreceeding.ForSacredScriptureprincipallyconcernsthe

    workdsofreparation.Whenceitalsochielflydealswithfaith,hope

    andcharity,thoughwhichvirtuesthesoulhastobereformed,and

    mostespeciallywithcharity.OfwhichtheApostlesays,thatitis

    theendoftheprecept,accordingtothatwhichisinapureheartand

    agoodconscienceandinanunfeignedfaith.Itisthefullness

    [plenitudo]oftheLaw,assaysthesame(author).AndOurSavior

    assertsthatthewholeLawandtheProphetshanguponthesetwo

    precepts,thatisuponthelove[dilectione]ofGodandofneighbor;

    whichtwobowtheirheads[innuuntur]totheonespouseoftheChurch,

    JesusChrist,whoisatthesametimeneighborandGod,atthesame

    timebrotherandlord,atthesametimealsokingandfriend,atthe

    sametimeuncreatedandincarnateWord,ourformerandreformer,as

    theAlphaandtheOmega;whoisalsotheMostHighHierarch,purging

    andilluminatingandperfectingthebride,thatisthewholeChurch

    andevery[quamlibet]holysoul.

    6.Thereforeconcerningthishierarchandecclesiaticalhierarchis

    thewholeSacredScripture,throughwhichwearetaughthowtobe

    purged,illuminatedandperfected,andthisaccordingtothethreefold

    lawhandeddown[traditam]inHer,thatisofnature,ofScriptureand

    ofgrace;and/orratheraccordingtoHerthreefoldprinciplepart,

    thatistheMosaiclawpurging,thepropheticrevelationbrightening

    andtheevangelicteaching[eruditionem]perfecting;ormorerather

    accordingtoHerthreefoldspiritualintelligence:thetropologic

    whichpurgesforhonestyoflife;theallegoric,whichilluminesfor

    clarityofintelligence;theanagogic,whichperfectsthroughmental

    excessesandthemostsavoryperceptionsofwisdom,accordingtothe

    aforesaidthreetheologicalvirtuesandreformedspiritualsensesand

    thethreeabovesaidexcessesandthehierarchicactsofthemind,by

    whichourmindstepsbacktointeriorthings,togazeuponGodthere

    inthesplendorsoftheSaintsandinthemasinbeds[cubilibus]to

    sleepinpeaceandrest,withthespousehavingpromisedonoath

    [adiurante],thatshewillnotberoused[excitetur],untilshecomes

    forthbyHiswill.

    7.Moreoverfromthesetwomiddlesteps,throughwhichwestepinto

    contemplateGodwithinusasinthereflections[speculis]ofthe

    images[imaginum]ofcreatures,andthisasifaccordingtothemanner

    ofwingsoutstretched[expansarum]tofly,whichholdamiddleplace,

    wecanunderstand,thatindivinethingsweareleadbyhandthrough

    thepowersoftherationalsoulitself,naturallyengrafted[insitas]

    asmuchasregardstheiractivities,characteristicsandhabitsof

    knowledge[habitusscientiales];accordingtowhatappearsfromthe

    thirdstep.Wearealsoleadbyhandthroughthepowersofthesoul

    itselfreformed——andthisbygratuitousvirtues——bythespiritual

    sensesandmentalexcesses;asisclearfromthefourth(step).

    Neverthelessweareleadbyhandthroughhierarchicalactivities,that

    isofthepurgation,illuminationandperfectionofhumanminds,

    throughthehierarchichalrevelationsoftheSacredScripturesgiven

    tousthroughtheAngels,accordingtothat(saying)oftheApostle,

    thattheLawhasbeengiventhroughtheAngelsintothehandofthe

    Mediator.Andlastinorder[tandem]weareleadbyhandthrough

    hierarchsandhierarchicalorders,whichhavetobearraingedinour

    mindafterthelikenessofthesupernalJerusalem.

    8.Havingbeenfilledfullbyallofwhichintellectuallightsour

    mind,isinhabitedbyDivineWisdomasahouseofGod,madea

    daughter,brideandfriendofGod;madeamember,sisterandcoheir

    withChristtheHead;madeneverthelessthetempleoftheHolySpirit,

    foundedthroughfaith,elevatedthroughhopeanddedicatedtoGod

    throughholinessofmindandbody.Whichtogether[totum]causesthe

    mostsincerecharityforChrist,whichisdiffusedinourhearts

    throughtheHolySpirit,whohasbeengiventous,withoutwhich

    SpiritwecannotknowthesecretsofGod.Foraswhatareofamanno

    onecanknowexceptthespiritoftheman,whichisinhim;soalso

    whatareofGodnoonecanknowexcepttheSpiritofGod.Incharity

    thereforewearerootedandfounded,tobeabletocomprehendwithall

    theSaints,whatisthelengthoftheeternity,whatisbreadthofthe

    liberality,whatisthesublimityofthemajestyandwhatisthedepth

    ofthewisdomoftheJudge[judicantis].

    _________________________________________________________________

    CHAPTERV

    ONTHESIGHTOFTHEDIVINEUNITYTHROUGHITSPRIMARYNAME,WHICHISBEING

    1.MoreoversinceithappensthatGodiscontemplatednotonlyoutside

    ofusandwithinus,butalsoaboveus:outsidethroughvestige,

    withinthroughimage[imaginem]andabovethroughthelightofEternal

    Truth,since"ourminditselfisformedimmediatelybyTruthItself";

    thosewhohavebeenexercisedinthefirstmanner,haveenteredalredy

    intotheentrance-hallbeforethetabernacle;buttheywhointhe

    second,haveenteredintotheholies;moreovertheywhointhethird,

    enterwiththesupremePontiffintotheHolyofHolies;whereabove

    thearkaretheCherubimofgloryovershadowingthepropitiatory;

    throughwhichweunderstandtwomannersorstepsofcontemplatingthe

    invisibleandeternalthingsofGod,ofwhichonehoversaroundthe

    thingsessentialtoGod,buttheotheraroundthethingspropertothe

    persons.

    2.Thefirstmanneratfirstandprincipallyfixes[defigit]itspower

    ofsightuponbeing[esse]itself,saying,thatHewhoisisthefirst

    NameofGod.Thesecondmannerfixesitsgazeuponthegooditself,

    saying,thatthisisthefirstNameofGod.Thefirstlooks[spectat]

    mostpowerfullytowardstheOldTestament,whichpreachesmostthe

    unityoftheDivineEssence;whenceitissaidbyMoses:Iamwhoam;

    accordingtotheNew,whichdeterminesthepluralityofpersons,by

    baptisingintheNameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHoly

    Spirit.ForthatreasonChristOurTeacher,wantingtoraisethe

    youth,whoobservedtheLaw,towardsevangelicalperfection,

    attributedthenameofgoodnesstoGodprincipallyandprecisely.No

    onehesaid,isgoodexceptGodalone.Therefore(St.John)Damascene

    followingMoysessays,thatHewhoisisthefirstNameofGod;(St.)

    Dionysius(theAreopagite)followingChristsays,thattheGoodisthe

    firstNameofGod.

    3.WantingthereforetocontemplatetheinvisiblethingsofGodin

    regardto(their)unityofessenceitfirstfixesitspowerofsight

    uponbeingitselfandsees,thatbeingitselftothisextentisin

    itselfmostcertain,becauseitcannotbethoughtnottobe,because

    mostpurebeingitselfdoesnotoccur[occurrit]exceptinfullflight

    fromnon-being,asevennothingisinfullflightfrombeing.

    Thereforeasithasentirelynothingfrombeingorfromits

    conditions;soconverselybeingitselfhasnothingfromnon-being,

    neitherinactnorinpower,noraccordingtothetruthofathingnor

    acccordingtoourestimation.Moreoversincenon-beingisaprivation

    ofexisting[privatioessendi],itdoesnotfallintotheintellect

    exceptthroughbeing;moreoverbeingdoesnotfallthroughanother,

    becauseeverything,whichisunderstood,eitherisunderstoodasnota

    being[nonens],orasabeinginpotency[ensinpotentia],orasa

    beinginact.Ifthereforenon-beingcannotbeunderstoodexcept

    throughabeing,andabeinginpotencynotexceptthroughabeingin

    act;andbeingnamesthepureactitselfofabeing:thereforebeing

    iswhatfirstfallsinanintellect,andbeingisthatwhichisapure

    act.Butthisisnotparticularbeing,whichisanalogousbeing,

    becauseithastheleastfromact,inthisthatitistheleast.It

    follows[restat]therefore,thatthatbeingisthedivinebeing.

    4.Wonderfulthereforeistheblindnessoftheintellect,whichdoes

    notconsiderthatwhichitseesfirstandwithoutwhichitcanbecome

    acquaintedwithnothing.Butaseyeintentuponvariousdifferencesof

    colorsdoesnotseethelight,throughwhichitseesotherthings,and

    ifitseesit,itdoesnotadverttoit;sotheeyeofourmind,

    intentuponparticularanduniversalbeings,thoughbeingitself,

    outsideofeverygenus,firstoccurstothemindandthroughitother

    things,itdoesnothoweveradverttoit.Whenceitmosttruly

    appears,that"astheeyeoftheeveningholdsitselftowardsthe

    light,sotheeyeofourmindholdsitselftowardsthemostmanifest

    thingsofnature";becauseaccustomed[assuefactus]totheshadowsof

    beingsandtothephantasmsofsensibles,whenitsurveysthelight

    itselfofMostHighBeing,itseemstoitthatitseesnothing;not

    understanding,thatthatdarknessistheMostHighIlluminationofour

    mind,as,whentheeyeseespurelight,itseemstoitthatissees

    nothing.

    5.Thereforeseethatmostpurebeing,ifyoucan,anditoccursto

    you,thatitcannotbethoughofasacceptedfromanother;andfor

    thisreasonitisnecessarilythoughtofasfirstineverymanner,

    becauseitcanbeneitherfromnothingnorfromanything.Forwhatis

    itthroughitself,ifbeingitselfisnotthroughitselfnorfrom

    itself?Itoccursalsotoyouthat(itis)lackingentirelynon-being

    andforthisreasonasneverbeginning,neverstoping,buteternal.It

    occurstoyoualsothatithasinnomanner(anything)initself,

    exceptthatwhichisbeingitself,andforthisreasonthatithas

    beencomposedwithnothing,butismostsimple.Itoccurstoyouthat

    ithasnothingofpossibility,becauseeverypossiblehasinsome

    mannersomethingfromnon-being,andforthisreasonthatitismost

    actual.Itoccursthathasnothingofdefectibility,andforthis

    reasonthatitismostperfect.Itoccurslastlythatithasnothing

    ofdiversification,andforthisreasonthatitismosthighlyone

    [summeunum].

    Beingtherefore,whichispurebeingandsimplybeingandabsolute

    being,isprimary,eternal,mostsimple,mostactual,mostperfectand

    mosthightlyonebeing.

    6.Andthesearesocertain,thattheoppositeofthesecannotbe

    thoughtbyunderstandingbeingitself,andonenecessarilyinfersthe

    other.Forbecauseitissimplybeing,forthatreasonitissimply

    first;becauseitissimplyfirst,forthatreasonitisnotmadefrom

    another,norcanitbefromitsveryself,thereforeitiseternal.

    Likewise,becauseitisfirstandeternal;forthatreasonitisnot

    fromothers,thereforeitismostsimple.Likewise,becauseitis

    first,eternal,mostsimple;forthatreasonthereisnothinginitof

    possibilitymixedwithact,forthatreasonitismostactual.

    Likewise,becauseitisfirst,eternal,mostsimple,mostactual;

    thereforeitismostperfect;assuchitentirelyfails[deficit]in

    nothing,norcantherebeanythingaddedtoit[fieriadditio].

    Becauseitisfirst,eternal,mostsimple,mostactual,mostperfect;

    forthatreasonmosthighlyone.Forwhatisthroughasuperabundance

    ineverymannerissaidtobeinrespecttoallthings."Alsowhatis

    throughsuperabundancesimply-speakingisnotsaidtobepossibly

    comprised[conveniat]exceptinonlyonething"WhenceifGodnames

    primary,eternal,mostsimple,mostactual,mostperfectbeing;itis

    impossiblethatitisthoughttonottobe,nortobeexceptasonly

    onething.Listentherefore,OIsrael,GodthyGodisone.Ifyousee

    thisinthepuresimplicityof(your)mind,youwillinsomewise

    [aliqualiter]befilledwiththebrighteningofeternallight.

    7.Butyouhavethatfromwhichyouwillbeliftedintoadmiration.

    Forbeingitselfisfirstandlast,iseternalandmostpresent,is

    mostsimpleandgreatest,ismostactualandmostimmutable,ismost

    perfectandimmense,ismosthighlyoneandneverthelessinevery

    measure[omnimodum].Ifyouwonderatthesethingswithapuremind,

    youshallbefilledwithagreaterlight,whileyouseefurther,that

    itisforthatreasonlast,becauseitisfirst.Forbecauseitis

    first,itworksallthingsonaccountofitsveryself;andforthat

    reasonitisncessary,thatitbethelastend,thestart[initium]

    andtheconsummation,theAlphaandOmega.Forthatreasonitisthe

    mostpresent,becauseitiseternal.Forbecauseitiseternal,it

    doesnotflowfromanothernorfailsbyitsveryselfnorrunsdown

    [decurrit]fromonethingintoanother:thereforeithasneithera

    pastnorafuture,butonlyapresentbeing.Forthatreasonitis

    greatest,becauseitismostsimple.Forbecauseitismostactual,

    forthatreasonitispureact;andwhatissuchacquiresnothingnew,

    losesnohabit,andforthisreasoncannotbechanged.Forthatreason

    itisimmense,becauseitismostperfect.Forbecauseitismost

    perfect,itcanthinkofnothingbetter,morenoble,normoreworthy

    beyonditself,andforthisreasonnothinggreater;andeverything

    thatissuchisimmense.Forthatreasonitisineverymeasure,

    becauseitismosthighlyone.Forwhatismosthighlyone,isthe

    universalprincipleofeverymultitude;andforthisreasonitisthe

    universalefficient,exemplary[exemplans]andfinal[terminans]cause

    ofallthings,as"thecauseofexisting,thereasonofunderstanding

    andtheorderofliving".Thereforeitisineverymeasurenotasthe

    essencesofallthings,butasthemostsuperexcellentandmost

    universalcauseoftheessencesofallothers;whosevirtue,because

    itismosthighlyunitedinanessence,isforthatreasonmosthighly

    mostinfiniteandmostmanifoldinefficacy.

    8.Returningagain(tothis)letussay:thatthereforemostpureand

    absolutebeing,whichissimplybeing,isprimaryandlast.Becauseit

    iseternalandmostpresent,forthatreasonitencompases[ambit]and

    entersalldurations,asifexistingatthesametimeastheircenter

    andcircumferences.Becauseitismostsimple,forthatreasonwholly

    withinallandwhollyoutside,andforthisreasonitisan

    intelligiblesphere,whosecenteriseverywhereandcircumferences

    nowhere.Becauseitismostactualandmostimmutable,forthatreason

    remainingstableitgrantsall[universa]tomove.Becauseitismost

    perfectandimmense,forthatreasonitiswithinallthings,notas

    included,outsideofallthings,notasexcluded,aboveallthings,

    notasliftedup,belowallthings,notasprostrated.Butbecauseit

    ismosthighlyoneandineverymeasure,forthatreasonitisallin

    allalthoughallthingsbemanyanditselfisnotbutone;andthis,

    becausethroughthemostsimpleunity,themostserenetruth,itis

    everyexemplarityandeverycommunicability;andforthisreasonfrom

    HimandthroughHimandinHimareallthingsandthis,becauseitis

    omnipotent,omniscientandineverymeasuregood,whichtosee

    perfectlyistobeblessed,asissaidbyMoses:Thereforeshow

    Thyselftobeeverygoodthing.

    _________________________________________________________________

    CHAPTERVI

    ONTHESIGHTOFTHEMOSTBLESSEDTRINITYINHISNAME,WHICHISTHEGOOD

    1.Aftertheconsiderationofessentialstheeyeoftheintelligence

    islifteduptosurveytheMostBlessedTrinity,astheotherCherub

    placedalongsidetheother.Moreoverasbeingitselfistheradical

    principleandnameofthevisionofessentials,throughwhichthe

    othersbecomeknown[innotescunt];sothegooditselfisthemost

    principlefoundationofthecontemplationofemanations.

    2.Thereforeseeandattendsincethebestissimplythatthanwhich

    nothingbettercanbethought;andthusitissuch,becauseitcannot

    berightlythoughttonottobe,becausebeingisentirelybetterthan

    nonbeing;thusitis,thatitcannotrightlybethought,ratherlet

    itbethoughtastriuneandone.For"thegoodissaidtobe

    diffusiveofitself";thereforetheMostHighGoodismosthighly

    diffusiveofItself.Howeverthemosthightdiffusioncannotbe,

    unlessitbeactualandintrinsic,substantialandhypostatic,natural

    andvoluntary,liberalandnecessary,unfailingandperfect.Therefore

    unlesstherebeeternallyintheMostHighGoodanactualand

    consubstantialproduction,andahypostatisequallynoble,asisone

    producingthroughthemanner[permodum]ofgenerationand

    spiration——sothatitbetheeternal(production)[aeternalis]ofan

    eternallyco-principatingprinciple——sothatitbebeloved[dilectus],

    co-beloved[condilectus],begottenandspirated,thatistheFather

    andtheSonandtheHolySpirit;itwouldneverbetheMostHighGood,

    becauseitwouldnotdiffuseitselfmosthighly.Forthereisno

    diffusionintime[extempore]intocreaturesexcept(whenitis)

    centraland/orpunctualinrespecttotheimmensityofeternal

    goodness;whencealsocananydiffusionbethoughtgreaterthanthose,

    namelythese,inwhichdiffusingitselfitcommunicatestoanotherits

    wholesubstanceandnature.ThereforeitwouldnotbetheMostHigh

    good,ifinreality[inre],orintellectitcouldbelacking

    (anything).Thereforeifyoucanwiththeeyeofyourmindsurveythe

    purityofgoodness,whichisthepureactofthePrincipleloving

    [diligentis]inacharitablemanner[caritative]withalove[amore],

    freeandowedandcommingledfromboth,whichisthefullest

    [plenissima]diffusioninthemanner[permodum]ofnatureandwill,

    whichisadiffusioninthemanneroftheWord,inwhichallthings

    aresaidtobe,andinthemanneroftheGift,inwhomallothergifts

    aregiven;(then)youcansee,thatthroughthemosthigh

    communicabilityofthegoodtheTrinityoftheFatherandoftheSon

    andoftheHolySpiritisnecessary.Inwhomitisnecessaryon

    accountoftheMostHighGoodnessbeingtheMostHighCommunicability,

    andfromtheMostHighCommunicabilitytheMostHigh

    Consubstantiality,andfromtheMostHighConsubstantialitytheMost

    HighConfigurability,andfromthesetheMostHighCo-equality,and

    forthisreasontheMostHighCo-eternity,andfromalltheaforesaid

    theMostHighCo-intimacy,bywhichoneisintheothernecessarily

    throughtheMostHighCircumincessionandoneworkswiththeother

    throughanin-every-measureindivisionofsubstanceandvirtueand

    activityoftheMostBlessedTrinityitself.

    3.Butwhenyoucontemplatethese,see,thatyoudonotconsider

    yourselfable[teexistimes]tocomprehendtheincomprehensible.For

    inthesesixconditionsyoustillhavetoconsiderwhatleadstheeye

    ofourmindvehementlyintothestuporofadmiration.Forthereisthe

    MostHighCommunicabilitytogetherwiththepropertyofthePersons,

    theMostHighConsubstantialitytogetherwiththepluralityofthe

    hypostases,theMostHighConfigurabilitytogetherwithdiscrete

    personality,theMostHighCo-equalitytogetherwithorder,theMost

    HighCo-eternitytogetherwithemanation,theMostHighCo-intimacy

    togetherwithemission.Whoatthesight[adaspectum]ofsogreat

    wondersdoesnotriseupwithothers[consurgat]inadmiration?But

    allthesewemostcertainlyunderstandtobe[esse]intheMost

    BlessedTrinity,ifweraiseoureyestothemostsuperexcellent

    Goodness.Forifthereisamosthighcommunicationandtrue

    diffusion,thereisatrueoriginandatruedistinction;andbecause

    thewholeiscommunicated,notthepart;forthatreasonthatwhichis

    given,iswhatishad,anditisthewhole;thereforeemanatingand

    producing,theyarebothdistinguishedinproperites,andare

    essentiallyone.Thereforebecausetheyaredistinguishedin

    properties,forthatreasonthehavepersonalpropertiesanda

    pluralityofhypostatesandanemanationoforiginandandordernot

    ofposteriority,butoforigin,andanemissionnotoflocalchange

    [mutationis],butbythegratuityofinspiration,onaccountof[per

    rationem]oftheauthorityoftheoneproducing,whichtheonebeing

    senthasinrespecttobeingsent.Butbecausetheyarsubstantially

    one,forthatreasonitisproper,thattherebeaunityinessentand

    informanddignityandeternityandexistenceand

    incircumscriptibility.Thereforewhileyouconsiderthesethings

    singlythroughthemselves,youhavethatfromwhich[unde]isthe

    truthyoucontemplate;whilecomparing[confers]theseonetoanother,

    youhavethatfromwhichyouaresuspendedintothehighest

    [altissimam]admiration;andforthatreason,asyourmindascends

    throughadmirationintoadmirablecontemplation,thesethingsmustbe

    consideredatthesametime.

    4.FortheCherubim,whowerelookingat[aspiciebant]oneanother,

    alsodesignatethis.Norwasthisfreefrommystery,becausethey

    lookedbackwards[respiciebant]ateachotherinthefaceuponthe

    propitiatory,toverifythatwhichtheLordsaysin(theGospelof)

    John:Thisiseternallife,toknow[cognoscant]TheetheonlyTrue

    God,andhowThouhassentJesusChristForweoughttoadmirenot

    onlytheconditionsofGod,essentialandpersonalinHimself,but

    alsothroughcomparisontothesuperwonderfulunionofGodandmanin

    theunityofthepersonofChrist.

    5.ForifyouareaCherubincontemplatingtheessentialsofGod,and

    yourwonder,becauseatthesametimetheDivineBeingisfirstand

    last,eternalandmostpresent,mostsimpleandgreatestor

    uncircumscribed,whollyeverywhereandnevercomprehended,mostactual

    andnevermoved,mostperfectandhavingnothingsuperfluousnor

    diminised,andneverthelessimmenseandinfinitewithoutterminus,

    MostHighlyOne,andneverthelessineverymeasure,ashavingall

    thingsinHimself,asallvirtue,alltruth,allgood;lookback

    [respice]towardsthepropitiatoryandwonder,thatinHimselfthe

    FirstPrinciplehasbeenjoinedwiththelast,Godwiththemanformed

    onthesixthday,theEternalOnehasbeenjoinedwithtemporalman,

    inthefullnessoftimesbornfromtheVirgin,theMostSimplewith

    themosthighlycomposite,theMostActualwiththeonewhohasmost

    highlysuffered[passo]anddied,theMostPerfectandImmensewith

    thelimited[modico],theMostHighlyOneandineverymeasurewith

    theindividualcompositeanddistincefromallothers,thatiswith

    theManChristJesus.

    6.MoreoverifyouaretheotherCherubbycontemplatingthethings

    proper[propria]tothePersons,andyouwonder,thatcommunicability

    istogetherwithproperty,consubstantialitytogetherwithplurality,

    configurabilitytogetherwithpersonality,co-equalitytogetherwith

    order,co-eternalitytogetherwithproduction,co-intimacytogether

    withemission,becausetheSonhasbeensentfromtheFather,andthe

    HolySpiritfromthemboth,whoneverthelessiswiththemandnever

    recedesfromthem;lookbackuponthepropitiatoryandwonder,because

    inChristtherestandsapersonaluniontogetherwithatrinityof

    substancesandadualityofnatures;therestandsanin-every-measure

    consensus[consensio]togetherwithapluralityofwills,therestands

    aco-predicationofGodandmantogetherwithapluralityof

    properties,therestandsco-adorationtogetherwithapluralityof

    nobilities,therestandsaco-exaltationaboveallthingstogether

    withapluralityofdignities,therestandsaco-dominationtogether

    withapluralityofpowers.

    7.Moreoverinthisconsiderationthereisaperfectionofthe

    illuminationofthemind,whileasinonthesixthdayoneseesthat

    manhasbeenmadeaftertheimageofGod.Foriftheimageisan

    expressivesimilitude,whileourmindcontemplatesitinChristthe

    SonofGod,whoistheinvisibleImageofGodbynature,ourhumanity

    sowonderfullyexalted,soineffablyunited,byseeingthatatthe

    sametimeitisthefirstandlastOne,mosthighandmostdeep

    [imus],circumferenceandcenter,theAlphaandtheOmega,thecaused

    andthecause,theCreatorandthecreature,thatisthebookwritten

    insideandout;ithasalreadyarrivedatacertainperfectthing,as

    onewhoarrivestogetherwithGodattheperfectionofhis

    illuminationsonthesixthstepasifonthesixthday,nordoes

    anythingmoreamplenowfollowexceptthedayofrest,inwhich

    throughanexcessofthemindtheperspicacityofthehumanmindrests

    fromeverywork,whichoneaccomplished[patraret].

    _________________________________________________________________

    CHAPTERVII

    ONTHEMENTALANDMYSTICALEXCESS,INWHICHRESTISGIVENTOTHEINTELLECT,

    BYANAFFECTIONPASSINGWHOLLYINTOGODTHROUGHEXCESS

    1.Thereforewithhesesixconsiderationshavingrunout[excursis]as

    thesixstepsofthethroneofthetrueSolomon,bywhichonearrives

    atpeace,wherethetruePacifierrestsinapacifyingmindasifin

    theinteriorofJerusalem;asifalsobysixwingsoftheCherub,by

    whichthemindofthetruecontemplativeisable[valeat]tobedriven

    abovebyafullbrighteningofsupernalwisdom;asifalsoonthe

    firstsixdays,inwhichthemindhastobeexercised,toarriveat

    lasttothesabbathofquiet;afterwhichourmindhassurveyedGod

    outsideofHimselfthroughvestigesandinvestiges,withinHimself

    throughimageandinimage,aboveHimselfthroughasimilitudeofthe

    divinelightglitteringaboveusandinthatlightitself,according

    tothatwhichispossibleaccordingtothestateofthewayandthe

    exerciseofourmind;whenonearrivessofaronthesixthstepto

    this,thatintheFirstandMostHighPrincipleandtheMediatorof

    Godandmen,JesusChrist,onegazesuponthosethingsthelikeof

    whichcaninnowisebediscovered[reperiri]among[in]creatures,and

    whichexceedeveryperspicacityofthehumanintellect:itfollows,

    thatthis(mind)bygazingtranscendsandpassesovernotonlythis

    sensibleworld,butalsoitsveryself;inwhichtransitChrististhe

    WayandtheGate,ChrististheStairandtheVehicleasthe

    propitiatorylocatedabovethearkofGodandtheSacramenthidden

    fromtheages.

    2.Towardswhichpropitiatoryhewholooksatitwithafull

    conversionofface,bylookingathimsuspendedupontheCrossthrough

    faith,hopeandcharity,devotion,admiration,exsultation,

    appreciation[appretiationem],praiseandjubilation;makesthe

    Passover,thatisthetransit,togetherwithHim,topassovertheRed

    SeathroughtherodoftheCross,fromEgyptenteringthedesert,

    wherehetastesthehiddenbread,andreststogetherwithChristupon

    thefuneralmound[intumulo]asifexteriorlydead,sensing

    [sentiens],nevertheless,asmuchasispossibleaccordingtothe

    stateoftheway,thatthereissaidtothethiefhandingonacross

    withChrist:TodayyoushallbewithMeinParadise.

    3.WhichalsohasbeenshowntoblessedFrancis,wheninanexcessof

    contemplationontheexaltedmountaing——wherethosethings,whichhave

    beenwritten,hetreatedwithhismind——thereappearedtheSeraphof

    sixwingsfastened[confixus]uponacross,asIandmanyothershave

    heardaboutinthesameplacefromhiscompanion,whowaswithhimat

    thattime;wherehepassedoverintoGodthroughanexcessof

    contemplation;andhasbeenplacedasanexample[inexemplum]of

    perfectcontemplation;asfirsthehadbeenofaction,asifanother

    JacobandIsrael,sothatGodmayinvitealltrulyspiritualmen

    throughhimtoatransitofthiskindandanexcessofthemindmore

    byexamplethanbyword.

    4.Moreoverinthistransit,ifonebeperfect,itisproperthatall

    intellectualactivitiesberelinquished,andthewholeapexof

    affectionbetransferedandtransformedintoGod.Howeverthisis

    mysticalandmostsecret,bacausenooneknowsit,excepthimwho

    acceptsit,nordoesheacceptitunlesshebeonewhodesiresit,nor

    doeshedesireitunlesshebeonewhomthefireoftheHolySpirit,

    whichChirstsentuponearth,inflammestothemarrowofhisbones

    [medullitus].AndforthatreasontheApostlesays,thatthismystical

    wisdomhasbeenrevealedbytheHolySpirit.

    5.Thereforesinceforthisreasontherecanbenothingbynature,a

    limitedamountbyindustry,alittlebyinvestigation[inquisitioni],

    andmuchbyunction;littlemustbegiventothetounge,andmostto

    internalgladness;littlemustbegivenbywordandbywriting,and

    thewholebyagiftofGod,thatisbytheHolySpirit;littleor

    nothingmustbegiventothecreature,andthewholetothecreative

    Essence,totheFatherandtotheSon,andtotheHolySpirit,by

    sayingwith(St.)Dionysius(theAreopagite)toGodtheTrinity:"O

    Trinitysuperessentialandsuper-Godandsuper-bestoftheChristians,

    inspectorofGodly-wisdom,directusintothesuper-unknownand

    super-shining[superlucentem]andmostsublimevertexofmytical

    speech[eloquiorum];wherethenewandabsoluteandineffable

    [inconversibilia](becausetheyaresuper-shining[secundum

    superlucentem])mysteriesoftheologyarehiddensecretelyinthe

    greatestobscurity[inobscurissimo]ofthesilencethatteachesa

    super-splendantdarkness,becauseitisthemostsuper-manifest,and

    thatinwhicheverythingglitters,and(which)super-fulfills

    invisibleintellectswiththesplendorsofinvisiblesuper-goods".

    ThistoGod.Howevertohisfriendthesethingsarewritten,said

    togetherwiththeformer[eodem]:"Moreoveryou,Ofriend,concerning

    [circa]mysticalvisions,havingbeenstrengthenedonthejourney,

    desertboththesensesandtheintellectualactivities,bothsensibles

    andinvisiblesandeverythingnotabeingandabeing,andunknowingly

    restore(yourself)totheunity,asispossible,ofHim,whoisabove

    everyessenceandknowledge.Forindeeddesertingallthingsand

    absolvedfromall,youdoascendbyyourselfandby(thatwhichis)

    unboundablebyallandbyanabsoluteexcessofpuremind,tothe

    super-essentialrayofdivineshadows".

    6.Moreoverifyouseek,inwhatmannerthesethingsoccur[fiant],

    interrogategrace,notdoctrine,desire,notunderstanding

    [intellectum];thegroanofpraying,notthestudyofreading;the

    spouse,nottheteacher;God,notman,darkness,notbrightness

    [claritatem];notlight,butthefiretotallyinflamming,transfering

    oneintoGodbothbyitsexcessiveunctionsandbyitsmostardent

    affections.WhoindeedistheGodoffire,andwhoseforgeisin

    Jerusalem,andChristignites[accendit]thisinthefervor,ofHis

    mostardentPassion,whichHealonetrulyperceived,whosaid:Mysoul

    haschosensuspense,andmybonesdeath.Hewholoves[diligit]this

    deathcanseeGod,becauseitisindubitablytrue:NomanwillseeMe

    andlive.Thereforeletusdieandstepintothedarkness,letusput

    onsilencewithitscares[sollicitudinibus],andconcupiscencesand

    phantasms;letuspassovertogetherwithChristCrucifiedfromthis

    worldtotheFather,that,byshowingustheFather,wemaysaywith

    Phillip:Itsufficesforus;letushearwithPaul:Mygraceis

    sufficientforyou;letusexultwithDavidsaying:Myfleshandmy

    heartfailed,GodofmyheartandmyportionGodforever.Blessedbe

    theLordforever,andleteverypeoplesay:Fiat,Fiat.Amen.

    HEREENDSTHEJOURNEYOFTHEMINDINTOGOD

    _________________________________________________________________

    ThisdocumentisfromtheChristianClassicsEthereal

    LibraryatCalvinCollege,http://www.ccel.org,

    generatedondemandfromThMLsource.