Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
6. And then God the Lord, through the spirit of this world, made them clothes of the skins of beasts, and put those on them through the spirit of this world, that they might see, that (according to this [outward] world) they were beasts ; and [he] taught them how they should seek the wonders, in the spirit of this world, and manifest them, and clothe themselves out of the wonders.
7. And here it may be seen very perfectly, that man in this world is not at home, but he is come into it as a guest, and hath not brought the clothes of this world with him, (as all other creatures that are at home therein do), but must borrow clothing
4 Or from the from the 4 children of the stars and elements, and creatures of the four must cover himself with strange clothing, which elements.
he brought not along with him when he entered into the spirit of this world, with which he strutteth like a proud bride, and sheweth himself, supposing that he is very fine and brave in it ; and yet it is but borrowed from the spirit of this world, whichCh. 20] ADAM AND EVE'S GOING OUT OF PARADISE 505 in its due time taketh it away again, and lendeth it him but for a while, and then consumeth it again.
8. And this is done to the end (because the spirit of this world continually seeketh the noble virgin of the divine wisdom, and knoweth that she is in man) that man should seek the great wonders that are in l it, and bring them to light : l It still » the spirit of supposeth, that it shall through man bring the noble tincture to light, that the paradise might appear, and that *it might be freed from vanity.
9. For the holy element continually Mongeth "Orlaboureth. [or groaneth] through the four elements, to be released from the vanity of the four elements ; in like manner also the qualifying [or influence] of the grim [constellations or] stars [laboureth] ; and therefore it driveth man to seek such wonderful forms [or ways], that the eternal wonders of God might be 3 manifested, which (in the breaking of'Ordisthe world) shall stand all (in the 4 figure) in the4figureof shadow. the world10. Therefore all arts and sciences [or trades] are (through the starry spirit of this world) from
God, 6 manifested in man, that they may appear in 5 Or brought wonders ; and to that end God created this world, that his wonders might be made 6 manifest ; and 6 Or known.
therefore God permitted that man is entered into the spirit of this world, that he might manifest his wonders through him. Yet he desireth also that
7 he should not misuse this world, but that he7 man.
p. 506
should go again out of this world into him ; he desireth that man should be where he is. And therefore he instantly shewed Adam and Eve their
1 the clothing monstrous form, by the 1 bestial clothing which he of the skins J . & .
of beasts. put on them, per spiritum majoms mundi [by the spirit of the great world].
11. But now if Adam had continued in paradise, he would have been able to manifest the wonders much better, for they would have been much nearer to the form of angels, and such great sins and abominations had not been brought to effect
2 many arts with 2 many, as is usually done now.
and sciences, . . - , . r „ or trades. 12. But the spirit of the gnmness [or fierceness J in the eternal source [or working property] would also be manifested, and open its wonders ; of which much may not be written, for it is a Mysterium [Mystery or hidden secret] that belongeth not to us to open, though indeed we have the knowledge of it ; let it stay till the time of the lily, wherein then the rose will blossom, and then the thorns (in Babel] will not prick us.
3 Or snares of 13. When the 3 chains of the driver are broken, the hunter. , 11-1 and the thorny bush is burnt, then one may go more safely by the thorns of the burner ; and then this Mysterium [or hidden secret] may well stand in the light ; for it is great and wonderful, and reacheth into the gate of the Father.
14. The rose-branch in the wonders will understand us well ; but Babel is not worthy of it. She seeketh nothing but the thorns, and loveth to strikeCh. 20] ADAM AND EVfi's GOING OUT OF PARADISE 507 with them ; therefore we will give the l driver no J hunter or cause [to do so], but rather Met these Mysteries o^F"
6. And then God the Lord, through the spirit of this world, made them clothes of the skins of beasts, and put those on them through the spirit of this world, that they might see, that (according to this [outward] world) they were beasts ; and [he] taught them how they should seek the wonders, in the spirit of this world, and manifest them, and clothe themselves out of the wonders.
7. And here it may be seen very perfectly, that man in this world is not at home, but he is come into it as a guest, and has not brought the clothes of this world with him, (as all other creatures that are at home therein do), but must borrow clothing
4 Or from the from the 4 children of the stars and elements, and creatures of the four must cover himself with strange clothing, which elements.
he brought not along with him when he entered into the spirit of this world, with which he strutts like a proud bride, and shows himself, supposing that he is very fine and brave in it ; and yet it is but borrowed from the spirit of this world, which
Ch. 20] ADAM AND EVE'S GOING OUT OF PARADISE 505 in its due time takes it away again, and lends it him but for a while, and then consums it again.
8. And this is done to the end (because the spirit of this world continually seeks the noble virgin of the divine wisdom, and knows that she is in man) that man should seek the great wonders that are in l it, and bring them to light : l It still » the spirit of supposes, that it shall through man bring the noble tincture to light, that the paradise might appear, and that *it might be freed from vanity.
9. For the holy element continually Mongs "Orlabours. [or groans] through the four elements, to be released from the vanity of the four elements ; in like manner also the qualifying [or influence] of the grim [constellations or] stars [labours] ; and therefore it drivs man to seek such wonderful forms [or ways], that the eternal wonders of God might be 3 manifested, which (in the breaking of'Ordisthe world) shall stand all (in the 4 figure) in the4figureof shadow. the world10. Therefore all arts and sciences [or trades] are (through the starry spirit of this world) from
God, 6 manifested in man, that they may appear in 5 Or brought wonders ; and to that end God created this world, that his wonders might be made 6 manifest ; and 6 Or known.
therefore God permitted that man is entered into the spirit of this world, that he might manifest his wonders through him. Yet he desires also that
7 he should not misuse this world, but that he7 man.
506 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Ch. 20 should go again out of this world into him ; he desires that man should be where he is. And therefore he instantly showed Adam and Eve their
1 the clothing monstrous form, by the 1 bestial clothing which he of the skins J . & .
of beasts. put on them, per spiritum majoms mundi [by the spirit of the great world].
11. But now if Adam had continued in paradise, he would have been able to manifest the wonders much better, for they would have been much nearer to the form of angels, and such great sins and abominations had not been brought to effect
2 many arts with 2 many, as is usually done now.
and sciences, . . - , . r „ or trades. 12. But the spirit of the gnmness [or fierceness J in the eternal source [or working property] would also be manifested, and open its wonders ; of which much may not be written, for it is a Mysterium [Mystery or hidden secret] that belongs not to us to open, though indeed we have the knowledge of it ; let it stay till the time of the lily, wherein then the rose will blossom, and then the thorns (in Babel] will not prick us.
3 Or snares of 13. When the 3 chains of the driver are broken, the hunter. , 11-1 and the thorny bush is burnt, then one may go more safely by the thorns of the burner ; and then this Mysterium [or hidden secret] may well stand in the light ; for it is great and wonderful, and reaches into the gate of the Father.
14. The rose-branch in the wonders will understand us well ; but Babel is not worthy of it. She seeks nothing but the thorns, and loves to strike
Ch. 20] ADAM AND EVfi's GOING OUT OF PARADISE 507 with them ; therefore we will give the l driver no J hunter or cause [to do so], but rather Met these Mysteries o^F"