36. Now, that qualifying or fountain spirit in the Deity which doth shew itself then specially or more distinctly with its rising up and lovewrestling, as if it had become the prince or chief of them, that very angelprince belonging to it beginneth instantly his heavenly music with his own legions, according to his quality, with singing, ringing forth piping melody, and in all the manners of heavenly skill and art, which riseth up in the spirits of God. 37. But when the centre in the midst riseth up, that is, when the birth or geniture of the Son of God sheweth itself specially or more distinctly, as a triumph, then there rise up the music, melodies or joys of all the three kingly governments or royal regiments of the whole creation of all the angels. 38. What manner of joy this must be, let every soul consider: I, in my corrupted nature, cannot apprehend it, much less can I write it. 39. By this song I invite or cite the Reader into the other life; there he himself will also be of that choir or chorus, and then first will he give credit to this spirit. What he doth not understand here, that he will there behold [for himself]. 40. Thou must know that this is not forged out of a stone; but when the flash riseth up in the centre, then the spirit seeth and knoweth it. 41. Therefore look to it, and be not too scornful in this place, else thou wilt be found a scorner and mocker before God, and then well mayest thou fare as king Lucifer did. Now it may be asked:
Question. What then do the Angels when they sing not? Answer. 42. Behold! what the Deity doth, that they do also, when the spirits of God lovingly generate one in another, and rise up one in another, as in a loving saluting, embracing, kissing and feeding one another; in which taste and smell the life riseth up, and the eternal refreshing; of which thou mayest read before at large. 43. Then the holy angels also walk and converse one with another friendly, graciously, amiably and blessedly in the heavenly circumference or region, and do behold the wonderful and pleasant form or prospect of heaven, and eat of the gracious, amiable, blessed and delicate fruits of life. Now thou wilt ask: Question. What do they talk of one with another? Answer. 44. Behold! thou pompous, stately, lofty and proud man; the world is even too narrow for thee here, and thou thinkest there is none like thee, or equal to thee: Bethink thyself in this, whether thou hast in thee the manner, quality or condition of an angel, or of a devil. To whom now shall I liken the Angels? Answer. 45. I will liken them to little children who walk in the fields in May, among the flowers, and pluck them, and make dainty garlands and posies, carrying them in their hands rejoicing, and always talk together of the several forms or shapes of beautiful flowers, leading one another by the hand when they go to gather flowers.
46. And when they come home, they shew them to their parents; and the parents also rejoice in their children, and are merry and cheerly with them. 47. So do the holy angels likewise, they take one another by the hand, and walk together in the beautiful May of heaven, and parly or talk of the pleasant and fair spring or fruits in the heavenly pomp, and feed on the delicate, blessed fruits of God, and make use of the beautiful heavenly flowers for their play or sport in their scenes, and make beautiful garlands, and rejoice in the delicious pleasant May of God. 48. Here is nothing but a cordial or hearty loving, a meek and gentle love, a friendly, courteous discourse, a gracious, amiable and blessed society, where the one always delighteth to see the others, and [where they delight] to honour one another. 49. They know of no malice, cunning, subtlety or deceit; but the divine fruits and pleasant loveliness are common among them; one may make use of these things as well as the others, there is no disfavour or hatred, no envy, no contrary or opposite will, but their hearts are knit together in love. 50. In this the Deity hath its highest delight, as parents have in their children, that its dear and beloved children in heaven behave themselves so well and so friendly; for the Deity in itself playeth or sporteth thus also, one qualifying or fountain spirit [springeth up] in another. 51. Therefore the angels can do no other than their Father doth, as also our angelical King JESUS CHRIST testified, when he was with us
36. Now, that qualifying or fountain spirit in the Deity which does show itself then specially or more distinctly with its rising up and lovewrestling, as if it had become the prince or chief of them, that very angelprince belonging to it beginns instantly his heavenly music with his own legions, according to his quality, with singing, ringing forth piping melody, and in all the manners of heavenly skill and art, which rises up in the spirits of God. 37. But when the centre in the midst rises up, that is, when the birth or geniture of the Son of God shows itself specially or more distinctly, as a triumph, then there rise up the music, melodies or joys of all the three kingly governments or royal regiments of the whole creation of all the angels. 38. What manner of joy this must be, let every soul consider: I, in my corrupted nature, cannot apprehend it, much less can I write it. 39. By this song I invite or cite the Reader into the other life; there he himself will also be of that choir or chorus, and then first will he give credit to this spirit. What he does not understand here, that he will there behold [for himself]. 40. You must know that this is not forged out of a stone; but when the flash rises up in the centre, then the spirit sees and knows it. 41. Therefore look to it, and be not too scornful in this place, else you will be found a scorner and mocker before God, and then well may you fare as king Lucifer did. Now it may be asked:
Question. What then do the Angels when they sing not? Answer. 42. Behold! what the Deity does, that they do also, when the spirits of God lovingly generate one in another, and rise up one in another, as in a loving saluting, embracing, kissing and feeding one another; in which taste and smell the life rises up, and the eternal refreshing; of which you may read before at large. 43. Then the holy angels also walk and converse one with another friendly, graciously, amiably and blessedly in the heavenly circumference or region, and do behold the wonderful and pleasant form or prospect of heaven, and eat of the gracious, amiable, blessed and delicate fruits of life. Now you will ask: Question. What do they talk of one with another? Answer. 44. Behold! you pompous, stately, lofty and proud man; the world is even too narrow for you here, and you think there is none like you, or equal to you: Bethink yourself in this, whether you have in you the manner, quality or condition of an angel, or of a devil. To whom now shall I liken the Angels? Answer. 45. I will liken them to little children who walk in the fields in May, among the flowers, and pluck them, and make dainty garlands and posies, carrying them in their hands rejoicing, and always talk together of the several forms or shapes of beautiful flowers, leading one another by the hand when they go to gather flowers.
46. And when they come home, they show them to their parents; and the parents also rejoice in their children, and are merry and cheerly with them. 47. So do the holy angels likewise, they take one another by the hand, and walk together in the beautiful May of heaven, and parly or talk of the pleasant and fair spring or fruits in the heavenly pomp, and feed on the delicate, blessed fruits of God, and make use of the beautiful heavenly flowers for their play or sport in their scenes, and make beautiful garlands, and rejoice in the delicious pleasant May of God. 48. Here is nothing but a cordial or hearty loving, a meek and gentle love, a friendly, courteous discourse, a gracious, amiable and blessed society, where the one always delights to see the others, and [where they delight] to honour one another. 49. They know of no malice, cunning, subtlety or deceit; but the divine fruits and pleasant loveliness are common among them; one may make use of these things as well as the others, there is no disfavour or hatred, no envy, no contrary or opposite will, but their hearts are knit together in love. 50. In this the Deity has its highest delight, as parents have in their children, that its dear and beloved children in heaven behave themselves so well and so friendly; for the Deity in itself plays or sports thus also, one qualifying or fountain spirit [springs up] in another. 51. Therefore the angels can do no other than their Father does, as also our angelical King JESUS CHRIST testified, when he was with us
No commentary for this page.
There is commentary on page 1.