Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
is the 2 spring of the fifth form in the centre ; as in 2 Or fountain.
the eternal centre, the Heart and light of God [is], which hath no ground ; but this [centre] of the stars and elements hath its ground in the fourth form in the dark mind, in the rising up of the awakened [or kindled] flash of the fire.
51. Thus the soul is generated between both the centres, between the centre of God (understand [between the centre] of the Heart or light of God, where it is generated out of an eternal place), and also between the [propagated or] out-sprung centre of this world ; and it [the soul] hath its beginning from both, and qualifieth with both ; and thereforep. 220p. 12 thus it hath all three Principles, and can live in all three.
52. But it was the law and will of the virgin,
1 mouideth, or that as God ruleth over all things, and l imprinteth imageth. .
himself everywhere, and giveth virtue and life to all, and yet the thing comprehendeth him not, although he be certainly there ; so also should the
2 Or have con- soul 2 stand still, and the form of the virgin should tinned in true . ..,,,..
resignation, govern in the soul, and crown it with the divine light ; the soul should be the comely young man which was created, and the virtue [or power] of God [should be] the fair virgin ; and the light of God [should be] the fair [orient] pearl and crown, (^/ wherewith the virgin would adorn the young man.
53. But the young man desired to have the virgin to be his own, which could not be, because she was a degree higher in the birth than he ; for the virgin was from eternity, and the bridegroom was given to her, that she should have joy and delight with him in God.
54. But now when the young man could not obtain this of the virgin, then he reached back after the worm in his own centre. For the form of this world pressed very powerfully upon him, which also was in the soul, and [this form] would fain have had the virgin to be its own, that he might
3 Or woman, make her his 3 wife (as was done in the fall ; yet the wife was not from the pearl, but out of the spirit of this world) ; for it (viz. the nature of this world) continually groaneth [or longeth] after the virgin,Ch. 12] OPENING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE 221 that it might be delivered from vanity ; and it meaneth to qualify [or mingle] with the virgin ; but that cannot be, for the virgin is of a higher
1 birth. l Or descent.
55. And yet when this world shall break in pieces, and be delivered from the vanity of the worm, it shall not obtain the virgin ; but 2 it must a this world, continue without spirit and 3 worm, under its own * Or soul, shadow, in a fair and sweet rest, without any wrestling [struggling] or desiring : For thereby it cometh into its highest degree and beauty, and ceaseth [or resteth] eternally from its labour. For the worm which here tormenteth it, goeth into its own Principle, and no more toucheth the shadow nor the figure of this world to eternity, and then the virgin governeth with her bridegroom.
56. My beloved Reader, I will set it you down more plainly ; for every one hath not the
4 Pearl, to apprehend the virgin; and yet every 4 Or the lieht one would fain know how the fall of Adam was. Behold, as I mentioned just now, the soul hath all the three Principles in it ; viz. the most inward, [which is] the worm or brimstone-spirit and the source according to which it is a spirit ; and then [it hath] the divine virtue, which maketh the worm meek, bright, and joyful, according to which the worm or spirit is an angel, like God the Father himself (understand, in such a manner and birth) ; and then also it hath the Principle of this world ; wholly undivided in one another, and yet none [ofp. 222 the three Principles] comprehendeth the other, for they are three Principles, or three births.
is the 2 spring of the fifth form in the centre ; as in 2 Or fountain.
the eternal centre, the Heart and light of God [is], which has no ground ; but this [centre] of the stars and elements has its ground in the fourth form in the dark mind, in the rising up of the awakened [or kindled] flash of the fire.
51. Thus the soul is generated between both the centres, between the centre of God (understand [between the centre] of the Heart or light of God, where it is generated out of an eternal place), and also between the [propagated or] out-sprung centre of this world ; and it [the soul] has its beginning from both, and qualifies with both ; and therefore
p. 220
THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Ch. 12
thus it has all three Principles, and can live in all three.
52. But it was the law and will of the virgin,
1 mouids, or that as God ruls over all things, and l imprints imags. .
himself everywhere, and gives virtue and life to all, and yet the thing comprehends him not, although he be certainly there ; so also should the
2 Or have con- soul 2 stand still, and the form of the virgin should tinned in true . ..,,,..
resignation, govern in the soul, and crown it with the divine light ; the soul should be the comely young man which was created, and the virtue [or power] of God [should be] the fair virgin ; and the light of God [should be] the fair [orient] pearl and crown, (^/ wherewith the virgin would adorn the young man.
53. But the young man desired to have the virgin to be his own, which could not be, because she was a degree higher in the birth than he ; for the virgin was from eternity, and the bridegroom was given to her, that she should have joy and delight with him in God.
54. But now when the young man could not obtain this of the virgin, then he reached back after the worm in his own centre. For the form of this world pressed very powerfully upon him, which also was in the soul, and [this form] would fain have had the virgin to be its own, that he might
3 Or woman, make her his 3 wife (as was done in the fall ; yet the wife was not from the pearl, but out of the spirit of this world) ; for it (viz. the nature of this world) continually groans [or longs] after the virgin,
Ch. 12] OPENING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE 221 that it might be delivered from vanity ; and it means to qualify [or mingle] with the virgin ; but that cannot be, for the virgin is of a higher
1 birth. l Or descent.
55. And yet when this world shall break in pieces, and be delivered from the vanity of the worm, it shall not obtain the virgin ; but 2 it must a this world, continue without spirit and 3 worm, under its own * Or soul, shadow, in a fair and sweet rest, without any wrestling [struggling] or desiring : For thereby it comes into its highest degree and beauty, and ceases [or rests] eternally from its labour. For the worm which here torments it, goes into its own Principle, and no more touches the shadow nor the figure of this world to eternity, and then the virgin governs with her bridegroom.
56. My beloved Reader, I will set it you down more plainly ; for every one has not the
4 Pearl, to apprehend the virgin; and yet every 4 Or the lieht one would fain know how the fall of Adam was. Behold, as I mentioned just now, the soul has all the three Principles in it ; viz. the most inward, [which is] the worm or brimstone-spirit and the source according to which it is a spirit ; and then [it has] the divine virtue, which makes the worm meek, bright, and joyful, according to which the worm or spirit is an angel, like God the Father himself (understand, in such a manner and birth) ; and then also it has the Principle of this world ; wholly undivided in one another, and yet none [of
222 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Ch. 12 the three Principles] comprehends the other, for they are three Principles, or three births.