16z. Here reason says: What remedy is there then for the poor soul? what shall it do in this bath of thorns and of brambles? See, we are going to show thee the remedy of the virgin SOPHIA, such as it has been given us as a powerful consolation, and we write that as a stable memorial for ourselves; for we have ourselves great need of it, as having already sweated tolerably long in these thorns and these brambles, in which we have obtained also this crown: that is why we must not remain mute, but oppose the present of the SOPHIA against all the gates of the demon.
63. See, thou, poor soul, in5 thy bath of thorns; where is thy dwelling? art thou at home in this world?
why seekest thou not then the favour and the friendship of the world? why occupiest thou not thyself with the temporal honours, with cupidity and with riches, so that thou mayest be happy in this world? why renderest thou thyself insensate for the world, and art thou for each like a bird of ill omen, or else like their footstool? why lettest thou thyself be despised by those who are less than thou, and who know not what thou knowest? couldst thou not also associate thyself with the hypocrites? Then thou wouldst be cherished, and no evil would happen to thee; thou wouldst be more in safety for thy body and thy goods, than in this way, where thou art for the world but an owl and an insensate one.
264. But my dear virgin Sophia answers: Thou, my dear lover whom I have chosen, walk with me; I am not of this world; I will lead thee from this world into my reign: there there is nothing but repose and ease. My kingdom is nothing but a pure joy, honour and glory. There is no instigator in that kingdom. I will adorn thee with the glory of God, and deck thee with my beautiful ornaments. I will render thee sovereign in heaven and a judge in this world. Thou must concur in the judgment of the instigator in wickedness; he must become the footstool of thy feet; he must not open his maw against thee; but he must be eternally bolted in his choleric gates. Thou must eat at my table; there must nothing be wanting there, nor anything be found which may repugn to thy taste. My fruit is sweeter and more amiable than the fruit of this
CH. ai. ( 2ô5 )
world; never will it do thee harm. All thy occupations are but an amiable joy and holy converse. Around thee, thou shalt perceive but a true humility in a great love. All thy companions are so beautiful that thou must see them all with joy. Why prizest thou this perishable life? Thou must enter into an imperishable life which endures always.
65. But I have something against thee. I have drawn thee out of the bath of thorns, where thou wast a wild beast, and afterward I have figured thee to my image. At present thy wild beast is in the bath of thorns. I take it not into my bosom; thou art still in thy wild beast. When then the universe shall take thy wild beast which belongs to it, then I will take thee for me; and each shall have what is his own.
366. Why cherishest thou so strongly the wild beast which does but deceive thee? Besides, thou canst not keep it with thee: also is it not thine, but the universe's: let the universe do with it what it will, remain with me. There is but a moment more for thy beast to break itself 5 then thou wilt be delivered from it, and thou wilt remain with me.
67. I have moreover, a law in my love: it is not only thee that I desire, but also thy brothers and sisters in the world, who for the most part are not yet regenerated, and whom the instigator holds prisoners. Thou must not hide nor bury thy pearls; but show them to them, so that they may come also into my arms. Thy mouth must not be closed; thou must walk in my law, and speak the truth.
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68. And although the instigator environ thee, and will expel thee, nevertheless whatever be his fury, there is a prescribed time for thy beast; the instigator cannot break it sooner than at its term; and when he breaks it, that happens however only for the marvels of God, and for thy great4er good. All thy scratches ( that is to say, thy bruises and thy wounds ) in the bath of thorns, must remain to thee in my kingdom, as glorious marks of thy victory; thou must have of them a great joy before the angels of God, in that thou hast despised the instigator, and that thou art passed from a wild generation into an angelic one. How much wilt thou rejoice when, thinking of thy wild beast which will have tormented thee day and night, thou shalt feel thyself
delivered from it!
Our translation, period-faithful. Citable as our translation, never as the source.