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.
Perhaps, however, some one will say: “The seal is not entire and the same in all the printed copies.” I answer that this is not due to the seal itself (for it gives itself wholly and identically to each), but the difference of the substances which share it makes the impressions of the one, entire, identical archetype to be different. For instance, if they are soft, plastic, and smooth, and have no print already, and are neither hard and resistent, nor yet melting and unstable, the imprint will be clear, plain, and permanent; but if the aforesaid fitness should in aught be lacking, then the material will not take the impression and reproduce it distinctly, and other such results will follow as an unsuitable material must bring about.
1 D. means that the Undifferentiated Godhead is actually present in all these creative activities. It is multiplied (as it were) in Its energies, and yet It remains indivisible. See Intr., p. 17.
2 D. here touches on the fundamental difference between spiritual and material things. Cf. Shelley: “True love has this different from gold or clay that to divide is not to take away.”
3 Plotinus uses the same illustration (Enn. iv. 1).
4 D. is always on his guard against Pantheism.
Someone, however, may perhaps say: “The seal is not entire and the same in all the printed copies.” I answer that this is not due to the seal itself (for it gives itself wholly and identically to each); rather, the difference of the substances that share it makes the impressions of the one, entire, identical archetype differ. For instance, if those substances are soft, plastic, and smooth, bear no earlier print, and are neither hard and resistant nor melting and unstable, the imprint will be clear, plain, and lasting; but if this fitness is lacking in any respect, the material will not take the impression and reproduce it distinctly, and the other results will follow that an unsuitable material must bring about.
1 D. means that the Undifferentiated Godhead is actually present in all these creative activities. It is multiplied (as it were) in Its energies, and yet It remains indivisible. See Intr., p. 17.
2 D. here touches on the fundamental difference between spiritual and material things. Cf. Shelley: “True love has this different from gold or clay that to divide is not to take away.”
3 Plotinus uses the same illustration (Enn. iv. 1).
4 D. is always on his guard against Pantheism.