keepeth his natural seat or place in the birth or geniture of God; wherein it never cometh to pass that the heat is changed into the cold, or the cold into the heat, but each keepeth its natural place or position, and the one riseth up in the other, from whence the life hath its original. 84. So the holy angels move, walk or converse in all the three kingdoms, one among another, whereby they conceive or receive their conceptions, one from the other; that is, from the other's beauty, comely form, friendliness, courtesy and virtue every one receives his highest joy, and yet each keepeth for his own propriety his natural seat or place in which he is become a creature. 85. Like one in this world, when he hath a dear and near kinsman, who returns home from foreign parts of the world, whom he had a very hearty desire and earnest longing to see, there is joy and friendly saluting, and bidding welcome, also a friendly loving discourse or conference between them, and so he treateth this loving and welcome guest in the best manner that he can; yet this is but cold water, in respect of the heavenly. 86. Thus the holy angels do one towards another; when the army or company of one kingdom cometh to the other, or when the army or com pany of one princely quality cometh to an army or company of another princely quality, there is nothing but mere loving * entertainment, saluting and embracing reception; a very gracious, amiable and blessed discourse and friendly respect; a very gracious, amiable, blessed and loving walking and playing together; a most chaste and humble exercise; a friendly kissing, and leading one another up and down: here beginneth the lovely choir and set dancing.
* " nothing but mere loving," etc., lit., " nothing but pure love reception [or conception], gracious discourse and friendly deference; blessed intercourse, chaste and humble behaviour, friendly kissing and escorting [or leading], and here beginneth the lovely round dance." 87. Like little children, when they go in May among the flowers, where many often meet together; there they have a friendly talk, and pluck or gather flowers many and diverse. 88. Now when this is done, they carry those flowers in their hands, and begin a merry round dance, and sing from the joy of their hearts, and rejoice. Thus also do the angels in heaven, when the foreign armies or companies meet together. 89. For the corrupted nature in this world labours in its utmost power and diligence, that it might bring forth heavenly forms, and many times little children might be their parents' schoolmasters and teachers, if parents could but understand, or would but take notice of them: But nowadays the corruption is unfortunately with both young and old, and the proverb is verified, Wie die Alten sungen, so lerneten die Jungen. As the old ones sing, So th' young learn to ring. 90. By this high humility of the angels the spirit admonisheth the children of this world, that they should view and examine themselves, whether they bear such a love one to another. Whether there be such humility among them. What kind of angels do they think they are. And whether they are like to these or no: They have [or possess] the third angelical kingdom within themselves. 91. Behold, the spirit will here present a little before thy eyes what manner of love, humility and courteous friendliness there is in thee, thou fair angelical bride; behold, I pray thee, thy fair attire, What great joy may thy bridegroom take in thee, thou beloved angel, that dancest daily with the devil! I. 92. First, If one be nowadays a little preferred or advanced, and getteth but a little while into an office, then others, that are in no preferment, are no more so good as he, or fit for his company he counteth the vulgar or layman his footstool, he instantly endeavoureth by cunning and craft to get the vulgar or layman's goods under his disposal; if he cannot compass it by tricks and designs, then he doth it by force, to satisfy his highmindedness. 93. If a simple man, that cannot place his words handsomely, cometh before him, then he taketh him up short, as if he were a dog; and if the man hath any business before him, then, in his eyes, only those of worldly esteem are in the right, and he lets them carry the cause, right or wrong: Take heed, Friend, what manner of princely angel indeed thou art; thou wilt find it well enough in the following chapter, concerning the fall of the devil; that will be thy lookingglass in which to see thyself. II. 94. Secondly, If one nowadays hath learnt more in worldly sciences, or studied more than the vulgar or layman, in an instant no vulgar or
keeps his natural seat or place in the birth or geniture of God; wherein it never comes to pass that the heat is changed into the cold, or the cold into the heat, but each keeps its natural place or position, and the one rises up in the other, from whence the life has its original. 84. So the holy angels move, walk or converse in all the three kingdoms, one among another, whereby they conceive or receive their conceptions, one from the other; that is, from the other's beauty, comely form, friendliness, courtesy and virtue every one receives his highest joy, and yet each keeps for his own propriety his natural seat or place in which he is become a creature. 85. Like one in this world, when he has a dear and near kinsman, who returns home from foreign parts of the world, whom he had a very hearty desire and earnest longing to see, there is joy and friendly saluting, and bidding welcome, also a friendly loving discourse or conference between them, and so he treats this loving and welcome guest in the best manner that he can; yet this is but cold water, in respect of the heavenly. 86. Thus the holy angels do one towards another; when the army or company of one kingdom comes to the other, or when the army or com pany of one princely quality comes to an army or company of another princely quality, there is nothing but mere loving * entertainment, saluting and embracing reception; a very gracious, amiable and blessed discourse and friendly respect; a very gracious, amiable, blessed and loving walking and playing together; a most chaste and humble exercise; a friendly kissing, and leading one another up and down: here beginns the lovely choir and set dancing.
* " nothing but mere loving," etc., lit., " nothing but pure love reception [or conception], gracious discourse and friendly deference; blessed intercourse, chaste and humble behaviour, friendly kissing and escorting [or leading], and here beginns the lovely round dance." 87. Like little children, when they go in May among the flowers, where many often meet together; there they have a friendly talk, and pluck or gather flowers many and diverse. 88. Now when this is done, they carry those flowers in their hands, and begin a merry round dance, and sing from the joy of their hearts, and rejoice. Thus also do the angels in heaven, when the foreign armies or companies meet together. 89. For the corrupted nature in this world labours in its utmost power and diligence, that it might bring forth heavenly forms, and many times little children might be their parents' schoolmasters and teachers, if parents could but understand, or would but take notice of them: But nowadays the corruption is unfortunately with both young and old, and the proverb is verified, Wie die Alten sungen, so lerneten die Jungen. As the old ones sing, So th' young learn to ring. 90. By this high humility of the angels the spirit admonishes the children of this world, that they should view and examine themselves, whether they bear such a love one to another. Whether there be such humility among them. What kind of angels do they think they are. And whether they are like to these or no: They have [or possess] the third angelical kingdom within themselves. 91. Behold, the spirit will here present a little before your eyes what manner of love, humility and courteous friendliness there is in you, you fair angelical bride; behold, I pray you, your fair attire, What great joy may your bridegroom take in you, you beloved angel, that dancest daily with the devil! I. 92. First, If one be nowadays a little preferred or advanced, and getts but a little while into an office, then others, that are in no preferment, are no more so good as he, or fit for his company he counts the vulgar or layman his footstool, he instantly endeavours by cunning and craft to get the vulgar or layman's goods under his disposal; if he cannot compass it by tricks and designs, then he does it by force, to satisfy his highmindedness. 93. If a simple man, that cannot place his words handsomely, comes before him, then he takes him up short, as if he were a dog; and if the man has any business before him, then, in his eyes, only those of worldly esteem are in the right, and he lets them carry the cause, right or wrong: Take heed, Friend, what manner of princely angel indeed you are; you will find it well enough in the following chapter, concerning the fall of the devil; that will be your lookingglass in which to see yourself. II. 94. Secondly, If one nowadays has learnt more in worldly sciences, or studied more than the vulgar or layman, in an instant no vulgar or
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