Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
30. As hath been often mentioned, God is the essence of all essences, wherein there are two essences in one, without end, and without original ; viz. the eternal light, that is, God, or the good ; and then the eternal darkness, that is, the 2 source ; and 2 the nature yet there would be no source in it if the light were property. not. The light causeth that the darkness longeth after [or is in anguish for] the light, and this anguish is the source of the wrath of God (or the hellish fire) wherein the devils dwell : From whence God also calleth himself an angry, zealous [or jealous] God. These are the two Principles, the
p. 142
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
[Ch. 9 orgna of which we know nothing of, only we
1 Or working know the l birth (therein), the indissoluble band, which is as f olloweth :
31. In the originalness of darkness, there is
2 sourness, 2 harshness and austereness, this harshness causeth sharpness, that it be light ; for harshness is a desirousness, an or attraction, attracting ; and that is the first ground of the willing [or longing] after the light, and yet it is not possible to comprehend it ; and the attracting in the will is the [sting or] prickle, which the desirousness attracteth, and the first stirring [or moving]. Now the prickle cannot endure the attracting in the will, but resisteth, flieth up, and yet cannot get away from thence ; for it is generated in the attracting. But because it cannot remove from thence, nor endure the attracting, therefore there is a great anguish, a desirousness [or longing] after the light, like a furiousness, and like a breaking whirling wheel ; and the anguish in the bitterness riseth up in the 8 wrath after the light, but cannot get it, being desirous in the anxiety to lift up itself above the light, yet doth not overcome, but is infected [impregnated or mingled] with the light, and attaineth a twinkling flash ; and as soon as the harshness, or the hardness (viz. the darkness) getteth the same into it, it is terrified, and instantly goeth away into its 4 ether : And yet the darkness continueth in the centre. And in this horror [terror or shriek] the hardness or harshness becometh mild, soft [supple], and thin ; and the
3 fierceness.
4 Or receptacle.
Ch. 9] OF PARADISE, ETC. 143
flash is made in the bitterness, which flieth up thus in the prickle : Thus the prickle discovereth itself in the mother, which so terrifieth the mother with the flash, that she yieldeth herself to be overcome ; and when the prickle strengthened itself in the mother, and findeth her so mild, then that is much more terrified, and loseth its [fierce, strong] wrathful propriety, and in the twinkling of an eye becometh white, clear, and bright, and flieth up very joyfully, trembling with great delight [lust] and desire ; and the mother of harshness from the light cometh to be sweet, mild, thin, and material, even water. For she loseth not the essence of the harsh condition, and therefore the essence attracteth continually to it out of the mildness, so that out of the nothing, somewhat cometh to be, viz. water.
30. As has been often mentioned, God is the essence of all essences, wherein there are two essences in one, without end, and without original ; viz. the eternal light, that is, God, or the good ; and then the eternal darkness, that is, the 2 source ; and 2 the nature yet there would be no source in it if the light were property. not. The light causes that the darkness longs after [or is in anguish for] the light, and this anguish is the source of the wrath of God (or the hellish fire) wherein the devils dwell : From whence God also calls himself an angry, zealous [or jealous] God. These are the two Principles, the
p. 142
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
[Ch. 9 orgna of which we know nothing of, only we
1 Or working know the l birth (therein), the indissoluble band, which is as f ollows :
31. In the originalness of darkness, there is
2 sourness, 2 harshness and austereness, this harshness causes sharpness, that it be light ; for harshness is a desirousness, an or attraction, attracting ; and that is the first ground of the willing [or longing] after the light, and yet it is not possible to comprehend it ; and the attracting in the will is the [sting or] prickle, which the desirousness attracts, and the first stirring [or moving]. Now the prickle cannot endure the attracting in the will, but resists, flies up, and yet cannot get away from thence ; for it is generated in the attracting. But because it cannot remove from thence, nor endure the attracting, therefore there is a great anguish, a desirousness [or longing] after the light, like a furiousness, and like a breaking whirling wheel ; and the anguish in the bitterness rises up in the 8 wrath after the light, but cannot get it, being desirous in the anxiety to lift up itself above the light, yet does not overcome, but is infected [impregnated or mingled] with the light, and attains a twinkling flash ; and as soon as the harshness, or the hardness (viz. the darkness) getts the same into it, it is terrified, and instantly goes away into its 4 ether : And yet the darkness continues in the centre. And in this horror [terror or shriek] the hardness or harshness becomes mild, soft [supple], and thin ; and the
3 fierceness.
4 Or receptacle.
Ch. 9] OF PARADISE, ETC. 143
flash is made in the bitterness, which flies up thus in the prickle : Thus the prickle discovers itself in the mother, which so terrifies the mother with the flash, that she yields herself to be overcome ; and when the prickle strengthened itself in the mother, and finds her so mild, then that is much more terrified, and loses its [fierce, strong] wrathful propriety, and in the twinkling of an eye becomes white, clear, and bright, and flies up very joyfully, trembling with great delight [lust] and desire ; and the mother of harshness from the light comes to be sweet, mild, thin, and material, even water. For she loses not the essence of the harsh condition, and therefore the essence attracts continually to it out of the mildness, so that out of the nothing, somewhat comes to be, viz. water.