On the Divine Names and the Mystical Theology — trans. C. E. Rolt
The translator’s English as printed (C. E. Rolt). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
Pipe MYSTICAL FAROLOGY
What is the Divine Gloom.
TRINITY, which exceedeth all Being, Deity, and Goodness!! Thou that instructeth Christians in Thy heavenly wisdom! Guide us to that topmost height of mystic lore 2 which exceedeth light and more than exceedeth knowledge, where the simple, absolute, and unchangeable mysteries of heavenly Truth lie hidden in the dazzling obscurity of the secret Silence, outshining all brilliance with the intensity of their darkness, and surcharging our blinded intellects with the utterly impalpable and invisible fairness of glories which exceed all beauty! Such be my prayer; and thee, dear Timothy, I counsel that, in the earnest exercise of mystic contemplation, thou leave the senses and the activities of the intellect and all things that the senses or the intellect can perceive, and all things in this world of nothingness, or in that world of being, and that, thine understanding being laid to rest, 3 thou strain (so far as thou mayest) towards an union with Him whom neither being nor understanding can contain. For, by the unceasing and absolute renunciation of thyself and all things, thou shalt in pureness cast all things aside, and be released from all, and so shalt be led upwards to the Ray of that divine Darkness which exceedeth all existence. 1
1 Lit. “Super-Essential, Supra-Divine, Super-Excellent.”
2 Lit. “Oracles” ; i. e. to the most exalted and mystical teaching of Holy Scripture.
3 Gk. ἀγνώστως here refers to a transcendent or spiritual Unknowing (as distinguished from mere ignorance).
Pipe MYSTICAL FAROLOGY
What is the Divine Gloom.
Trinity, which exceeds all Being, Deity, and Goodness! 1 You who instruct Christians in Your heavenly wisdom! Guide us to that topmost height of mystic lore 2 which exceeds light and more than exceeds knowledge, where the simple, absolute, and unchangeable mysteries of heavenly Truth lie hidden in the dazzling obscurity of the secret Silence, outshining all brilliance with the intensity of their darkness, and overloading our blinded intellects with the utterly impalpable and invisible fairness of glories that exceed all beauty! Let this be my prayer.
And to you, dear Timothy, I give this counsel: in the earnest exercise of mystic contemplation, leave behind the senses and the activities of the intellect, and all things that the senses or the intellect can perceive, and all things in this world of nothingness or in that world of being; and, your understanding being laid to rest, 3 strain (so far as you may) towards a union with Him whom neither being nor understanding can contain. For by the unceasing and absolute renunciation of yourself and of all things, you will in pureness cast all things aside and be released from all, and so will be led upwards to the Ray of that divine Darkness which exceeds all existence. 1
1 Lit. “Super-Essential, Supra-Divine, Super-Excellent.”
2 Lit. “Oracles”; that is, to the most exalted and mystical teaching of Holy Scripture.
3 Gk. ἀγνώστως here refers to a transcendent or spiritual Unknowing (as distinguished from mere ignorance).