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)

RightsublicDomain

CCELSubjects:All;Classic;Sermons;Theology;

LCCallno:BT100.B56131993(alternatetranslation)

LCSubjects:

Doctrinaltheology

God

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ST.BONAVENTUREOFBAGNOREGIO

CardinaloftheHolyRomanChurch,MinisterGeneraloftheOrderofFriars

Minor,&DoctoroftheUniversalChurch

THEJOURNEYOFTHEMINDINTOGOD

Prologue&Chapters1&2

TranslatedfromtheQuarrachiEditionoftheOperaOmniaS.

Bonaventurae

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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

andsaytotheLordOurGodeadmeforth,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,accordingtowhatissaidet

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,ofureandofgracesucceed

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,andjudgementsintheBookofurethe

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

incircumibleandinterminalbereason;nothinghoweveris

entirelyimmutable,incircumibleandinterminalbe,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

thosethingswhichhavebeenassumedinthebookofurethrough

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.

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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.

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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.MoreovertheconsiderationofSacredure,divinelysentforth

[immissae],isespeciallyandchieflyissupported[adminiculatur]

uponspeculating[adspeculationes]on(this)step,asphilosphywas

onthepreceeding.ForSacredureprincipallyconcernsthe

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

thewholeSacredure,throughwhichwearetaughthowtobe

purged,illuminatedandperfected,andthisaccordingtothethreefold

lawhandeddown[traditam]inHer,thatisofnature,ofureand

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,

throughthehierarchichalrevelationsoftheSacreduresgiven

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].

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CHAPTERV

ONTHESIGHTOFTHEDIVINEUNITYTHROUGHITSPRIMARYNAME,WHICHISBEING

1.MoreoversinceithappensthatGodiscontemplatednotonlyoutside

ofusandwithinus,butalsoaboveusutsidethroughvestige,

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.

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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

incircumibility.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].

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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

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