Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
[breaketh or] dissolveth, and the tincture flieth away like a glance or shadow ; and then the source [or springing up] of the fire is out, and the body becometh stiff.
32. But alas ! the life hath many greater and more powerful enemies ; especially the four elements and the constellations [or stars]. As soon as [any] one element becometh too strong, the tincture flieth from it, and then the life hath its end : If it be overwhelmed with water, it groweth cold, and the fire goeth out, then the flash flieth away like a glance or shadow : If it be overwhelmed with earth, viz. with impure matter, then the flash groweth dark, and flieth away : If it be overwhelmed with air. that it be stopped, then the tincture is stifled, and the springing essences, and the flash breaketh into a glance, and goeth into its ether. But if it be overwhelmed with fire or heat, the flash is enflamed, and burneth up the tincture, from whence the blood becometh dark, and swarthy, or black, and the flash goeth out in the meekness.
33. 0 how many enemies hath the life among the constellations [or stars], which qualify [or mingle their influence] with the tincture and elements. When the planets and the stars have their conjunctions, and where they cast their poisonous rays into the tincture, there ariseth in the life of the meek tincture, stinging, tearing, and torturing. For the sweet [or pleasant] tincture (being a sweet and pleasing refreshment) cannot
p. 12
endure any impure thing. And therefore when such poisonous rays are darted into it, then it resisteth and continually cleanseth itself; but as soon as it is overwhelmed, that it is darkened, then the flash goeth out, the life breaketh, and the body falleth away, and becometh a cadaver, carcase [or dead corpse] ; for the spirit-is the life.
34. This I have here shewn very briefly and summarily, and not according to all the circumstances, that it might thereby be somewhat understood [by the way, what] the life [is]. In its due place all shall be expounded at large, for herein is very much contained, and there might be great volumes written of it; but I have set down only this, that the overcoming and the sleep might be apprehended.
The Gate [or Exposition] of the heavenly Tincture, how it was in Adam before the Fall, and how it shall be in us after this Life.
35. Great and mighty are these secrets, and that seeketh and findeth them, hath surpassing joy therein ; for they are the true heavenly bread for the soul. If we consider and receive the knowledge of the heavenly tincture, then there riseth up the knowledge of the divine kingdom of joy, so that we wish to be loosed from the vanity, and to live in this birth ; which yet cannot be, but we must finish our day's work.
36. Reason saith : Alas ! If Adam had not
Ch. 12] OPENING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE 213
lusted, he had not fallen asleep : if I had been as he I would have stood firm, and have continued in paradise. Yes, beloved reason, you have hit the matter well, in thinking so well of thyself! I will shew thee thy strength, and the gate ; and do but thou consider how firm thou shouldst stand, if thou didst stand as Adam did before the tempting tree.
37. Behold, I give you a true similitude : Suppose that thou wast a young man, or young maid [or virgin] (as Adam was both of them in one [only] person), how dost thou think thou shouldst stand ? Suppose thus, set a young man of good complexion, beautiful, and virtuous ; and also a fair chaste modest virgin [or young maid], curiously featured, and put them together ; and let them not only come to speak together, and converse lovingly one with another, but so that they may also embrace one another ; and command them not to fall in love together, not so much as in the least thought, also not to have any inclination to it, much less any infection in the will ; and let these two be thus together forty days and forty nights, and converse with one another in mere joy ; and command them further, that they keep their will and mind stedfast and never 1 conceive one thought to desire one another and 1 Or propose
. in thought.
not to infect [themselves] with any essence or property at all, but that their will and inclination be most stedfast and firm to the command ; and
p. 214
[breaks or] dissolvs, and the tincture flies away like a glance or shadow ; and then the source [or springing up] of the fire is out, and the body becomes stiff.
32. But alas ! the life has many greater and more powerful enemies ; especially the four elements and the constellations [or stars]. As soon as [any] one element becomes too strong, the tincture flies from it, and then the life has its end : If it be overwhelmed with water, it grows cold, and the fire goes out, then the flash flies away like a glance or shadow : If it be overwhelmed with earth, viz. with impure matter, then the flash grows dark, and flies away : If it be overwhelmed with air. that it be stopped, then the tincture is stifled, and the springing essences, and the flash breaks into a glance, and goes into its ether. But if it be overwhelmed with fire or heat, the flash is enflamed, and burns up the tincture, from whence the blood becomes dark, and swarthy, or black, and the flash goes out in the meekness.
33. 0 how many enemies has the life among the constellations [or stars], which qualify [or mingle their influence] with the tincture and elements. When the planets and the stars have their conjunctions, and where they cast their poisonous rays into the tincture, there arises in the life of the meek tincture, stinging, tearing, and torturing. For the sweet [or pleasant] tincture (being a sweet and pleasing refreshment) cannot
p. 12
endure any impure thing. And therefore when such poisonous rays are darted into it, then it resists and continually cleanses itself; but as soon as it is overwhelmed, that it is darkened, then the flash goes out, the life breaks, and the body falls away, and becomes a cadaver, carcase [or dead corpse] ; for the spirit-is the life.
34. This I have here shown very briefly and summarily, and not according to all the circumstances, that it might thereby be somewhat understood [by the way, what] the life [is]. In its due place all shall be expounded at large, for herein is very much contained, and there might be great volumes written of it; but I have set down only this, that the overcoming and the sleep might be apprehended.
The Gate [or Exposition] of the heavenly Tincture, how it was in Adam before the Fall, and how it shall be in us after this Life.
35. Great and mighty are these secrets, and that seeks and finds them, has surpassing joy therein ; for they are the true heavenly bread for the soul. If we consider and receive the knowledge of the heavenly tincture, then there rises up the knowledge of the divine kingdom of joy, so that we wish to be loosed from the vanity, and to live in this birth ; which yet cannot be, but we must finish our day's work.
36. Reason says : Alas ! If Adam had not
Ch. 12] OPENING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE 213 lusted, he had not fallen asleep : if I had been as he I would have stood firm, and have continued in paradise. Yes, beloved reason, you have hit the matter well, in thinking so well of yourself! I will show you your strength, and the gate ; and do but you consider how firm you should stand, if you did stand as Adam did before the tempting tree.
37. Behold, I give you a true similitude : Suppose that you were a young man, or young maid [or virgin] (as Adam was both of them in one [only] person), how do you think you should stand ? Suppose thus, set a young man of good complexion, beautiful, and virtuous ; and also a fair chaste modest virgin [or young maid], curiously featured, and put them together ; and let them not only come to speak together, and converse lovingly one with another, but so that they may also embrace one another ; and command them not to fall in love together, not so much as in the least thought, also not to have any inclination to it, much less any infection in the will ; and let these two be thus together forty days and forty nights, and converse with one another in mere joy ; and command them further, that they keep their will and mind stedfast and never 1 conceive one thought to desire one another and 1 Or propose
. in thought.
not to infect [themselves] with any essence or property at all, but that their will and inclination be most stedfast and firm to the command ; and
214 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Ch. 12