The Celestial Hierarchy

TheCelestialHierarchy——

DionysiustheAreopagite

THECELESTIALHIERARCHY

CHAPTERI

Tomyfellow-presbyterTimothy,DionysiusthePresbyter

Thateverydivineillumination,whilegoingforthwithloveinvariouswaystotheobjectsofitsforethought,remainsone.Noristhisall:italsounifiesthethingsilluminated-

EverygoodgiftandeveryperfectgiftisfromaboveandcomesdownfromtheFatherofLights-[James1:17]

Moreover,everydivineprocessionofradiancefromtheFather,whileconstantlybounteouslyflowingtous,fillsusanewasthoughwithaunifyingpower,byrecallingustothingsabove,andleadingustotheunityoftheShepherdingFatherandtotheDivineOne.ForfromHimandintoHimareallthings,asiswrittenintheholyWord.

CallingthenuponJesus,theLightoftheFather,theRealandTrue,-Whichlightseverymanthatcomesintotheworld,bywhomwehaveaccesstotheFather,-theOriginofLight,letusraiseourthought,accordingtoourpower,totheilluminationofthemostsacreddoctrineshandeddownbytheFathers,andalsoasfaraswemayletuscontemplatetheHierarchiesoftheCelestialIntelligencesrevealedtousbytheminsymbolsforourupliftment:andadmittingthroughthespiritualandunwaveringeyesofthemindtheoriginalandsuper-originalgiftofLightoftheFatherwhoistheSourceofDivinity,whichshowstousimagesoftheall-blessedHierarchiesoftheAngelsinfigurativesymbols,letusthroughthemagainstriveupwardstowardItsprimalray.ForthisLightcanneverbedeprived——

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ofItsownintrinsicunity,andalthoughingoodnessItbecomesmanynessandproceedsintomanifestationfortheupliftingofthosecreaturesgovernedbyItsprovidence,yetItabideseternallywithinItselfinchangelesssameness,firmlyestablishedinItsownunity,andelevatestoItself,accordingtotheircapacity,thosewhoturntowardsIt,unitingtheminaccordancewithItsownunity.ForbythatfirstdivineraywecanbeenlightedonlyinsofarasItishiddenbyall-variousholyveilsforourupliftment,andfittinglytemperedtoournaturesbytheProvidenceoftheFather.

Whereforethatfirstinstitutionofthesacredrites,judgingitworthyofasupermundanecopyoftheCelestialHierarchies,gaveusourmostholyhierarchy,anddescribedthatspiritualHierarchyinmaterialtermsandinvariouscompositionsofformssothatwemightbeled,eachaccordingtohiscapacity,fromthemostholyimagerytoformless,unific,elevativeprinciplesandassimilations.ForthemindcanbynomeansbedirectedtothespiritualpresentationandcontemplationoftheCelestialHierarchiesunlessitusethematerialguidancesuitedtoit,accountingthosebeautieswhichareseentobeimagesofthehiddenbeauty,thesweetincenseasymbolofspiritualdispensations,andtheearthlylightsafigureoftheimmaterialenlightenment.Similarlythedetailsofthesacredteachingcorrespondtothefeastofcontemplationinthesoul,whiletheranksoforderonearthreflecttheDivineConcordandthedispositionoftheHeavenlyOrders.ThereceivingofthemostholyEucharistsymbolizesourparticipationofJesus;andeverythingelsedeliveredinasupermundanemannertoCelestialNaturesisgiventousinsymbols.

Tofurther,then,theattainmentofourduemeasureofdeification,thelovingSourceofallmysteries,inshowingtoustheCelestial

Acherub,afteranimageca.400A.D——

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Hierarchies,andconsecratingourhierarchyasfellowministers,accordingtoourcapacity,inthelikenessoftheirdivineministry,depictedthosesupercelestialIntelligencesinmaterialimagesintheinspiredwritingsofthesacredWordsothatwemightbeguidedthroughthesensibletotheintelligible,andfromsacredsymbolstothePrimalSourceoftheCelestialHierarchies.

CHAPTERII

ThatDivineandCelestialmattersarefittinglyrevealedeventhroughunlikesymbols

Iconsider,then,thatinthefirstplacewemustexplainourconceptionofthepurposeofeachHierarchyandthegoodconferredbyeachuponitsfollowers;secondlywemustcelebratetheCelestialHierarchiesastheyarerevealedintheures;andfinallywemustsayunderwhatholyfiguresthedeionsinthesacredwritingsportraythoseCelestialOrders,andtowhatkindofpurityweoughttobeguidedthroughthoseformslestwe,likethemany,shouldimpiouslysupposethatthoseCelestialandDivineIntelligencesaremany-footedormany-facedbeings,orformedwiththebrutishnessofoxen,orthesavagenessoflions,orthecurvedbeaksofeagles,orthefeathersofbirds,orshouldimaginethattheyaresomekindoffierywheelsabovetheheavens,ormaterialthronesuponwhichtheSupremeDeitymayrecline,ormany-colouredhorses,orcommandersofarm-ies,orwhateverelseofsymbolicdeionhasbeengiventousinthevarioussacredimagesoftheures——

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Theology,initssacredutterancesconcerningtheformlessIntelligences,doesindeedusepoeticsymbolism,havingregardtoourintelligence,ashasbeensaid,andprovidingameansofascentfittingandnaturaltoitbyframingthesacreduresinamannerdesignedforourupliftment.

ButsomeonemayprefertoregardtheDivineOrdersaspureandineffableintheirownnatures,andbeyondourpowerofvision,andmayconsiderthattheimageryoftheCelestialIntelligencesintheuresdoesnotreallyrepresentthem,andislikeacrudedramatizationofthecelestialnames:andhemaysaythatthetheologians,indepictingwhollyincorporealnaturesunderbodilyformsshould,asfaraspossible,makeuseoffittingandrelatedimages,andrepresentthembythemostexalted,incorporealandspiritualsubstancesamongstourselves,andshouldnotenduetheCelestialandGodlikePrincipleswithamultitudeoflowandearthlyforms.FortheonewouldcontributeinahigherdegreetoourascentbydissociatingincongruousimagesfromthedeionsofSupermundaneNatures,whiletheotherimpiouslyoutragestheDivinePowers,andleadsourmindsintoerrorwhen-wedwelluponsuchunholycompositions.Forwemighteventhinkthatthesupercelestialregionsarefilledwithherdsoflionsandhorses,andre-echowithroaringsongsofpraise,andcontainflocksofbirdsandothercreatures,andthelowerformsofmatter,andwhateverotherabsurd,spurious,passion-arousingandunlikeformstheuresuseindesc**ngtheirresemblances.

Nevertheless,IthinkthattheinvestigationofthetruthshowsthemostholywisdomoftheuresintherepresentationsoftheCelestialIntelligenceswhichmakesthemostperfectprovisionineachcase,sothatneitherisdishonourdonetotheDivinePowers(astheymaybecalled),norareweboundmorepassionatelytoearthbythemeannessandbasenessoftheimages.Foritmightbe

AngelWithMoon,from12thc.Greekms——

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saidthatthereasonforattributingshapestothatwhichisaboveshape,andformstothatwhichisbeyondform,isnotonlythefeeblenessofourintellectualpowerwhichisunabletoriseatoncetospiritualcontemplation,andwhichneedstobeencouragedbythenaturalandsuitablesupportandupliftmentwhichoffersusformsperceptibletousofformlessandsupernaturalcontemplations,butitisalsobecauseitismostfittingthatthesecretdoctrines,throughineffableandholyenigmas,shouldveilandrenderdifficultofaccessforthemultitudethesublimeandprofoundtruthofthesupernaturalIntelligences.For,astheuredeclares,noteveryoneisholy,norhaveallmenknowledge.

Again,ifanyonecondemnstheserepresentationsasincongruous,suggestingthatitisdisgracefultofashionsuchbaseimagesofthedivineandmostholyOrders,itissufficienttoanswerthatthemostholyMysteriesaresetforthintwomodesne,bymeansofsimilarandsacredrepresentationsakintotheirnature,andtheotherthroughunlikeformsdesignedwitheverypossiblediscordanceanddifference.Forexample,themysticaltraditionsoftheenlighteningWordsometimescelebratetheSublimeBlessednessoftheSuperessentialONEasWord,andWisdom,andEssence;proclaimingtheIntellectandWisdomofGodbothessentially,astheSourceofbeing,andalsoasthetrueCauseofexistence;andtheymakeItequivalenttoLight,andcallItLife.

Nowalthoughsuchsacredformsaremorevenerable,andseeminonesensetosurpassthematerialpresentation,evensotheyfailtoexpresstrulytheDivineLikenesswhichverilytranscendsallessenceandlife,andwhichnolightcanfullyrepresent;foranotherwordandwisdomisincomparablybelowIt.ButatothertimesItisextolledinasupermundanemannerinthesamewritings,whereItisnamedInvisible,InfiniteandUnbounded,insuchtermsas——

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indicatenotwhatItis,butwhatItisnot:forthis,inmyjudgment,ismoreinaccordwithItsnature,since,astheMysteriesandthepriestlytraditionsuggested,wearerightinsayingthatItisnotinthelikenessofanycreatedthing,andwecannotcomprehendItssuperessential,invisibleandineffableInfinity.If,therefore,thenegationsinthedeionsoftheDivinearetrue,andtheaffirmationsareinconsistentwithIt,theexpositionofthehiddenMysteriesbytheuseofunlikesymbolsaccordsmorecloselywithThatwhichisineffable.

Accordinglythismodeofdeionintheholywritingshonours,ratherthandishonours,theHolyandCelestialOrdersbyrevealingtheminunlikeimages,manifestingthroughthesetheirsupernalexcellence,farbeyondallmundanethings.Nor,Isuppose,willanyreasonablemandenythatdiscordantfiguresupliftthemindmorethandotheharmonious,forindwellinguponthenoblerimages,itisprobablethatwemightfallintotheerrorofsupposingthattheCelestialIntelligencesaresomekindofgoldenbeings,orshiningmenflashinglikelightning,fairtobehold,orcladinglitteringapparel,rayingforthharmlessfire,orwithsuchothersimilarformsasareassignedbytheologytotheCelestialIntelligences.Butlestthisthingbefallthosewhosemindhasconceivednothinghigherthanthewondersofvisiblebeauty,thewisdomofthevenerabletheologists,whichhaspowertoleadustotheheights,reverentlydescendstotheleveloftheinharmoniousdissimilitudes,notallowingourirrationalnaturetoremainattachedtothoseunseemlyimages,butarousingtheupward-turningpartofthesoul,andstimulatingitthroughtheuglinessoftheimages;sinceitwouldseemneitherrightnortrue,eventothosewhoclingtoearthlythings,thatsuchlowformscouldresemblethosesupercelestialanddivinecontemplations.Moreover,itmustbeborneinmindthatnosingleexistingthingisentirelydeprivedofparticipationinthe——

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Beautiful,for,asthetrueWordsays,allthingsareverybeautiful.

Holycontemplationscanthereforebederivedfromallthings,andtheabove-namedincongruoussimilitudescanbefashionedfrommaterialthingstosymbolizethatwhichisintelligibleandintellectual,sincetheintellectualhasinanothermannerwhathasbeenattributeddifferentlytotheperceptible.Forinstance,passioninirrationalcreaturesarisesfromtheimpulseofappetency,andtheirpassionisfullofallirrationality;butitisotherwisewithintellectualbeingsinwhomtheenergyofpassionmustberegardedasdenotingtheirmasculinereasonandunwaveringsteadfastness,establishedinthechangelessheavenlyplaces.Inthesamemanner,bydesireinirrationalcreatureswemeantheinstinctualinnatetendencytowardstemporalmaterialsthings,ortheuncontrolledinbornappetitesofmutablecreatures,andthedominatingirrationaldesiresofthebodywhichurgethewholecreaturetowardsthatforwhichthesensescrave.

Butwhen,usingunlikeimages,wespeakofdesireinconnectionwithIntellectualBeingswemustunderstandbythisadivineloveoftheImmaterial,abovereasonandmind,andanenduringandunshakablesuperessentiallongingforpureandpassionlesscontemplation,andtrue,sempiternal,intelligibleparticipationinthemostsublimeandpurestLight,andintheeternalandmostperfectBeauty.AndincontinencewemustunderstandasthatwhichisintenseandunswervingandirresistiblebecauseofitspureandsteadfastloveoftheDivineBeauty,andtheundeviatingurgetowardsThatwhichmosttrulyistobedesired.

Inthecaseoftheirrationalortheinsensitivethings,suchasbrutesamonglivingcreatures,orinanimateobjects,werightlysaythatthesearedeprivedofreason,orofsense-perception.Butwefittinglyproclaimthesovereignty,asSupermundaneBeings,oftheimmaterialandintellectualNaturesoverourdiscursiveandcorporealreasoningandsense-perceptions,whichareremotefromthoseDivineIntelligences.

ItisthereforelawfultoportrayCelestialBeingsinformsdrawnfromeventhelowestofmaterialthingswhicharenotdiscordantsincethey,too,havingoriginatedfromThatwhichistrulybeautiful,havethroughoutthewholeoftheirbodilyconstitutionsomevestigesofIntellectualBeauty,andthroughthesewemaybeledto——

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immaterialArchetypes;thesimilitudesbeingtaken,ashasbeensaid,dissimilarly,andthesamethingsbeingdefined,notinthesameway,butharmoniouslyandfittingly,inthecasebothofintellectualandsensiblenatures.

WeshallseethatthetheologiansmysticallyemploysymbolicalexplanationsnotonlyinthecaseoftheCelestialOrders,butevenforthepresentationoftheDeificPrinciplesthemselves.AndsometimestheycelebrateDeityItselfwithloftysymbolismastheSunofjustice,astheMorningStarrisingmysticallyinthemind,orasLightshiningforthuncloudedandintelligibly;andsometimestheyuseimagesofthingsonearth,suchasfireflashingforthwithharmlessflame,orwateraffordingabundanceoflifesymbolicallyflowingintoabellyandgushingoutinperpetuallyoverflowingriversandstreams.

Thelowestimagesarealsoused,suchasfragrantointment,orthecorner-stone,andtheyevengiveIttheformsofwildanimalsandlikenIttothelionandpanther,ornameItaleopard,oraragingbearbereavedofitsyoung.Iwilladd,furthermore,thatwhichappearsmostbaseandunseemlyofall,namelythatsomerenownedtheologianshaverepresentedItasassumingtheformofaworm.Thusallthosewhoarewiseindivinematters,andareinterpretersofthemysticalrevelations,setapartinpuritytheHolyofHoliesfromtheuninitiatedandunpurified,andpreferincongruoussymbolsforholythings,sothatdivinethingsmaynotbeeasilyaccessibletotheunworthy,normaythosewhoearnestlycontemplatethedivinesymbolsdwellupontheformsthemselvesasthefinaltruth.ThereforewemaycelebratetheDivineNaturesthroughthetruestnegationsandalsobytheimagesofthelowestthingsincontrastwiththeirownLikeness——

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HencethereisnoabsurdityinportrayingtheCelestialNatures,forthereasonsmentioned,bydiscordantanddiversesymbols:forpossiblyweourselvesmightnothavebeguntosearchintotheMysterieswhichleadustotheHeightsthroughthecarefulexaminationsoftheholyWord,hadnottheuglinessoftheimageryoftheAngelsstartledus,notsufferingourmindtodwelluponthediscordantfigures,butstimulatingittoleavebehindallmaterialattachments,andtrainingitbymeansofthatwhichisapparenttoaspiredevoutlytothesupermundaneascent.

LetthesethingssufficetouchingthecorporealandinharmoniousformsusedforthedelineationofAngelsinthesacredures.WemustproceedtothedefinitionofourconceptionoftheHierarchyitself,andoftheblessingswhichareenjoyedbythosewhoparticipateinit.ButletourleaderinthediscoursebemyChrist(ifthusIdarenameHim)whoinspiresallhierarchicalrevelation.Anddothou,myson,listen,accordingtothelawofourhierarchicaltradition,withmeetreverencetothatwhichisreverentlysetforth,becomingthroughinstructioninspiredbytherevelations;and,treasuringdeepinthesoultheholyMysteries,preservethemintheirunityfromtheunpurifiedmultitude:for,astheuresdeclare,itisnotfittingtocastbeforeswinethatpureandbeautifyingandclear-shininggloryoftheintelligiblepearls.

CHAPTERIII

WhatisHierarchy,andwhattheuseofHierarchy?

Hierarchyis,inmyopinion,aholyorderandknowledgeandactivitywhich,sofarasisattainable,participatesintheDivine——

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Likeness,andislifteduptotheilluminationsgivenitfromGod,andcorrespondinglytowardstheimitationofGod.

NowtheBeautyofGod,beingunific,good,andtheSourceofallperfection,iswhollyfreefromdissimilarity,andbestowsitsownLightuponeachaccordingtohismerit;*andinthemostdivineMysteriesperfectstheminaccordancewiththeunchangeablefashioningofthosewhoarebeingperfectedharmoniouslytoItself.

TheaimofHierarchyisthegreatestpossibleassimilationtoandunionwithGod,andbytakingHimasleaderinallholywisdom,tobecomelikeHim,sofarasispermitted,bycontemplatingintentlyHismostDivineBeauty.AlsoitmouldsandperfectsitsparticipantsintheholyimageofGodlikebrightandspotlessmirrorswhichreceivetheRayoftheSupremeDeity-whichistheSourceofLight;andbeingmysticallyfilledwiththeGiftofLight,itpoursitforthagainabundantly,accordingtotheDivineLaw,uponthosebelowitself.ForitisnotlawfulforthosewhoimpartorparticipateintheholyMysteriestooverpasstheboundsofitssacredlaws;normusttheydeviatefromthemiftheyseektobehold,asfarasisallowed,thatDeificSplendourandtobetransformedintothelikenessofthoseDivineIntelligences.

ThereforehewhospeaksofHierarchyimpliesacertainperfectlyholyOrderinthelikenessoftheFirstDivineBeauty,ministeringthesacredmysteryofitsownilluminationsinhierarchicalorderandwisdom,beinginduemeasureconformedtoitsownPrinciple.(1)

ForeachofthosewhoisallottedaplaceintheDivineOrderfindshisperfectioninbeinguplifted,accordingtohiscapacity,towardstheDivineLikeness;andwhatisstillmoredivine,hebecomes,as——

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theuressay,afellow-workerwithGod,andshowsforththeDivineActivityrevealedasfaraspossible-inhimself.FortheholyconstitutionoftheHierarchyordainsthatsomearepurified,otherspurify;someareenlightened,othersenlighten;someareperfected,othersmakeperfect;forinthiswaythedivineimitationwillfiteachone.

InasmuchastheDivineBliss(tospeakinhumanterms)isexemptfromalldissimilarity,andisfullofEternalLight,perfect,inneedofnoperfection,purifying,illuminating,perfectingbeingratherHimselftheholyPurification,IlluminationandPerfection,abovepurification,abovelight.supremelyperfect,HimselftheoriginofperfectionandthecauseofeveryHierarchy,Hetranscendsinexcellenceallholiness.(2)

Ihold,therefore,thatthosewhoarebeingpurifiedoughttobewhollyperfectedandfreefromalltaintofunlikeness;thosewhoareilluminatedshouldbefilledfullwithDivineLight,ascending,tothecontemplativestateandpowerwiththemostpureeyesofthemind;thosewhoarebeinginitiated,holdingthemselvesapartfromallimperfection,shouldbecomeparticipatorsintheDivineWisdomwhichtheyhavecontemplated.

Furtheritismeetthatthosewhopurifyshouldbestowuponothersfromtheirabundanceofpuritytheirownholiness:thosewhoilluminate,aspossessingmoreluminousintelligence,dulyreceivingandagainsheddingforththelight,andjoyouslyfilledwithholybrightness,shouldimparttheirownoverflowinglighttothoseworthyofit;finally,thosewhomakeperfect,beingskilledinthemysticalparticipations,shouldleadtothatconsummationthosewhoareperfectedbythemostholyinitiationoftheknowledgeofholythingswhichtheyhavecontemplated——

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Thuseachorderinthehierarchicalsuccessionisguidedtothedivineco-operation,andbringsintomanifestation,throughtheGraceandPowerofGod,thatwhichisnaturallyandsupernaturallyintheGodhead,andwhichisconsummatedbyHimsuperessentially,butishierarchicallymanifestedforman-simitationasfarasisattainable,oftheGod-lovingCelestialIntelligences.

CHAPTERIV

Themeaningofthename-Angels.

Since,inmyopinion,thenatureofahierarchyhasbeenadequatelydefined,wemustproceedtorenderhonourtotheAngelicHierarchy,intentlygazingwithsupermundanesightupontheholyimageryofitintheures,thatwemaybeupliftedinthehighestdegreetotheirdivinepuritythroughthatmysticalrepresentation,andmaypraisetheOriginofallhierarchicalknowledgewithavenerationworthyofthethingsofGod,andwithdevoutthanksgiving.

Inthefirstplacethistruthmustbedeclared,thatthesuperessentialDeity,havingthroughHisGoodnessestablishedtheessentialsubsistenceofall,broughtallthingsintobeing.For-itistheverynatureofthatGodwhichistheSupremeCauseofalltocallallthingstoparticipationinItselfinproportiontothecapacityandnatureofeach.

WhereforeallthingsshareinthatProvidencewhichstreamsforthfromthesuperessentialDeificSourceofall;fortheywouldnotbe——

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unlesstheyhadcomeintoexistencethroughparticipationintheEssentialPrincipleofallthings.

AllinanimatethingsparticipateinItthroughtheirbeing;forthe-tobe-ofallthingsistheDivinityaboveBeingItself,thetrueLife.LivingthingsparticipateinItslife-givingPowerabovealllife;rationalthingsparticipateinItsself-perfectandpre-eminentlyperfectWisdomaboveallreasonandintellect.

Itismanifest,therefore,thatthoseNatureswhicharearoundtheGodheadhaveparticipatedofItinmanifoldways.OnthisaccounttheholyranksoftheCelestialBeingsarepresentwithandparticipateintheDivinePrincipleinadegreefarsurpassingallthosethingswhichmerelyexist,andirrationallivingcreatures,andrationalhumanbeings.FormouldingthemselvesintelligiblytotheimitationofGod,andlookinginasupermundanewaytotheLikenessoftheSupremeDeity,andlongingtoformtheintellectualappearanceofIt,theynaturallyhavemoreabundantcommunionwithHim,andwithunremittingactivitytheytendeternallyupthesteep,asfarasispermitted,throughtheardouroftheirunwearyingdivinelove,andtheyreceivethePrimalRadianceinapureandimmaterialmanner,adaptingthemselvestothisinalifewhollyintellectual.

Such,therefore,aretheywhoparticipatefirst,andinanall-variousmanner,inDeity,andrevealfirst,andinmanyways,theDivineMysteries.Whereforethey,aboveall,arepre-eminentlyworthyofthenameAngelbecausetheyfirstreceivetheDivineLight,andthroughthemaretransmittedtoustherevelationswhichareaboveus.

ItisthusthattheLaw(asitiswrittenintheures)wasgiventousbyAngelsand,bothbeforeandafterthedaysoftheLaw,AngelsguidedourillustriousforefatherstoGod,eitherbydeclaringtothemwhattheyshoulddoandleadingthemfromerrorandanevillifetothestraightpathoftruth,orbymakingknowntothemtheDivineLaw,orinthemannerofinterpreters,byshowingtothemholyHierarchies,orsecretvisionsofsupermundaneMysteries,orcertaindivineprophecies.

Now,ifanyoneshouldsaythatGodhasshownHimselfwithoutintermediarytocertainholymen,lethimknowbeyonddoubt,

AnotherimageofArchangels——

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fromthemostholyures,thatnomanhaseverseen,norshallsee,thehiddenBeingofGod;butGodhasshownHimself,accordingtorevelationswhicharefittingtoGod,toHisfaithfulservantsinholyvisionsadaptedtothenatureoftheseer.

Thedivinetheology,inthefullnessofitswisdom,veryrightlyappliesthenametheophanytothatbeholdingofGodwhichshowstheDivineLikeness,figuredinItselfasalikenessinformofThatwhichisformless,throughtheupliftingofthosewhocontemplatetotheDivine;inasmuchasaDivineLightisshedupontheseersthroughit,andtheyareinitiatedintosomeparticipationofdivinethings.

BysuchdivinevisionsourvenerableforefatherswereinstructedthroughthemediationoftheCelestialPowers.IsitnottoldintheholyuresthatthesacredLawwasgiventoMosesbyGodHimselfinordertoteachusthatinitismirroredthedivineandholyLaw?Furthermore,theologywiselyteachesthatitwascommunicatedtousbyAngels,asthoughtheauthorityoftheDivineLawdecreedthatthesecondshouldbeguidedtotheDivineMajestybythefirst.Fornotsolelyinthecaseofhigherandlowernatures,butalsoforco-ordinatenatures,thisLawhasbeenestablishedbyitssuperessentialoriginalAuthor:thatwithineachHierarchytherearefirst,middleandlastranksandpowers,andthatthehigherareinitiatorsandguidesofthelowertothedivineapproachandilluminationandunion.(3)

IseethattheAngels,too,werefirstinitiatedintothedivineMystery,ofJesusinHisloveforman,andthroughthemthegiftofthatknowledgewasbestoweduponus:forthedivineGabrielannouncedtoZachariahthehigh-priestthatthesonwhoshouldtoborntohimthroughDivineGrace,whenhewasbereftofhope,——

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wouldbeaprophetofthatJesuswhowouldmanifesttheunionofthehumananddivinenaturesthroughtheordinanceoftheGoodLawforthesalvationoftheworld;andherevealedtoMaryhowofhershouldbeborntheDivineMysteryoftheineffableIncarnationofGod.

AnotherAngeltaughtJosephthatthedivinepromisemadetohisforefatherDavidshouldbeperfectlyfulfilled.Anotherbroughttotheshepherdsthegladtidings,astothosepurifiedbyquietwithdrawalfromthemany,andwithhimamultitudeoftheheavenlyhostgaveforthtoallthedwellersuponearthouroften-sunghymnofadoringpraise.

LetusnowmountupwardtothatmostsublimeofallLightscelebratedintheures:forIperceivethatJesusHimselfwhoisthesuperessentialHeadofthesupercelestialBeingsaboveNature,whentakingournaturewhilestillkeepingHisownimmutableDivinity,didnotturnawayfromthehumanorderwhichHearrangedandchose,butrathersubmittedHimselfobedientlytothecommandsgivenbyGodtheFatherthroughAngels,bywhoseministrationstheFather-sdecreetouchingtheflightofHisSonintoEgyptandthereturnfromEgyptintoJudaea.wasannouncedtoJoseph.Moreover,throughAngelsweseeHimsubjectingHimselftotheFather-swill;forIwillnotrecalltoonewhoknowsoursacredtraditiontheAngelwhofortifiedJesus,oreventhatJesusHimself,becauseHecameforthegoodworkofoursalvationtofulfilthelawinitsspiritualapplication,wascalledAngelofGoodCounsel.ForHeHimselfsays,inthemannerofaherald,thatwhatsoeverHeheardfromtheFatherHeannounceduntous.

,——

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CHAPTERV

WhyalltheCelestialBeingsincommonarecalledAngels.

This,sofarasweunderstandit,isthereasonforthenameAngelintheures.NowIthinkweshouldinvestigatethereasonwhytheologiansgivethegeneralnameAngelstoalltheCelestialBeings,butwhenexplainingthecharacteristicsofthesupermundaneOrderstheyspecificallygivethenameAngeltothosewhocompleteandconcludetheDivineCelestialHierarchies.AbovethesetheyplacethechoirsofArchangels,Principalities,Powers,Virtues,andthoseotherbeingswhoareacknowledgedbythetraditionaluralteachingstobeofhigherrank.

NowwemaintainthatintheseHierarchiesthehigherOrderspossesstheilluminationsandpowersofthelowerranks,butthelowerdonotparticipateequallywiththoseabovethem.HencethetheologianscallthehigherofthesespiritualOrdersAngelsbecausethey,too,showforththeDivineRadiance;butwecanfindnoreasonforcallingthelowestchoirsoftheCelestialIntelligencesPrincipalitiesorThronesorSeraphim,fortheydonotmanifestinthesamedegreethatsupremelyexcellentpower;butjustastheyguideourinspiredhierarchstotheDivineBrightnessknowntothem,sodothosemostholyPowerswhichareabovethemleadtotheDivineMajestythoserankswhichcompletetheAngelicHierarchies.(4)

Andthisalsomaybeadded,thatallcanrightlybecalledAngelsinrespectoftheirparticipationintheDivineLikenessandIlluminationbothinthehigherandlowerranks.

Butnowletusproceedfurtherintodetail,andwithsinglenessof——

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mindexaminetheparticularsacredcharacteristicsofeachoftheCelestialOrderswhicharesetforthforusintheures.

CHAPTERVI

WhichisthefirstOrderoftheCelestialBeings,whichthemiddle,andwhichthelast?

IholdthatnonebuttheDivineCreatorbywhomtheywereordainedisabletoknowfullythenumberandthenatureofthesupermundaneBeingsandtheregulationoftheirsacredHierarchies;andfurthermore,thattheyknowtheirownpowersandilluminationsandtheirownholysupermundaneordination.ForwecouldnothaveknownthemysteryofthesesupercelestialIntelligencesandalltheholinessoftheirperfectionhaditnotbeentaughttousbyGodthroughHisMinisterswhotrulyknowtheirownnatures.

Thereforewewillsaynothingasfromourselves,butbeinginstructedwillsetforth,accordingtoourability,thoseangelicvisionswhichthevenerabletheologianshavebeheld.

TheologyhasgiventotheCelestialBeingsnineinterpretativenames,andamongtheseourdivineinitiatordistinguishesthreethreefoldOrders.(5)Inthefirstrankofallheplacesthosewho,aswearetold,dwelleternallyintheconstantpresenceofGod,andcleavetoHim,andaboveallothersareimmediatelyunitedtoHim.AndhesaysthattheteachingsoftheholyWordtestifythatthemostholyThronesandmany-eyedandmany-wingedones,namedintheHebrewtongueCherubimandSeraphim,areestablished——

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immediatelyaboutGodandnearesttoHimaboveallothers.OurvenerablehierarchdescribesthisthreefoldOrderasaco-equalunity,andtrulythemostexaltedoftheHierarchies,themostfullyGodlike,andthemostcloselyandimmediatelyunitedtotheFirstLightoftheGodhead.

Thesecond,hesays,containsthePowers,VirtuesandDominions,andthelastandlowestchoirsoftheCelestialIntelligencesarecalledAngels,ArchangelsandPrincipalities.

CHAPTERVII

OftheSeraphim,CherubimandThrones,andtheirfirstHierarchy.

InacceptingthisorderoftheholyHierarchiesweaffirmthatthenamesofeachoftheCelestialChoirsexpressesitsownGodlikecharacteristic.WearetoldbyHebrewscholarsthattheholynameSeraphimmeans-thosewhokindleormakehot-,andCherubimdenotesabundanceofknowledgeoranoutflowingofwisdom.*Reasonably,therefore,isthisfirstCelestialHierarchyadministeredbythemosttranscendentNatures,sinceitoccupiesamoreexaltedplacethanalltheothers,beingimrnediatelypresentwithGod;andbecauseofitsnearness,toitarebroughtthefirstrevelationsandperfectionsofGodbeforetherest.Thereforetheyarenamed-TheGlowingOnes-,-StreamsofWisdom-,-Thrones-,inillustrationoftheirDivineNature.

ThenameSeraphimclearlyindicatestheirceaselessandeternalrevolutionaboutDivinePrinciples,theirheatandkeenness,the——

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exuberanceoftheirintense,perpetual,tirelessactivity,andtheirelevativeandenergeticassimilationofthosebelow,kindlingthemandfiringthemtotheirownheat,andwhollypurifyingthembyaburningandall-consumingflame;andbytheunhidden,unquenchable,changeless,radiantandenlighteningpower,dispellinganddestroyingtheshadowsofdarkness.

ThenameCherubimdenotestheirpowerofknowingandbeholdingGod,theirreceptivitytothehighestGiftofLight,theircontemplationoftheBeautyoftheGodheadinItsFirstManifestation,andthattheyarefilledbyparticipationinDivineWisdom,andbounteouslyoutpourtothosebelowthemfromtheirownfountofwisdom.

ThenameofthemostgloriousandexaltedThronesdenotesthatwhichisexemptfromanduntaintedbyanybaseandearthlything,andthesupermundaneascentupthesteep.Forthesehavenopartinthatwhichislowest,butdwellinfullestpower,immovablyandperfectlyestablishedintheMostHigh,andreceivetheDivineImmanenceaboveallpassionandmatter,andmanifestGod,beingattentivelyopentodivineparticipations.

This,then,isthemeaningoftheirnames,sofarasweunderstandit:butnowwemustsetforthourconceptionofthenatureofthisHierarchy,fortheobjectofeveryHierarchy,asIthinkwehavealreadysufficientlyshown,isasteadfastdevotiontothedivineassimilationintheLikenessofGod;andthewholeworkofaHierarchyisintheparticipationandtheimpartingofamostholyPurification,DivineLightandperfectingKnowledge.

AndnowIpraythatImayspeakworthilyofthosemostexaltedIntelligences,andastheirHierarchyisrevealedintheures——

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ItisclearthattheHierarchyissimilarinitsnatureandhascloseaffinitywiththoseFirstBeingswhoareestablishedaftertheGodhead,whichistheSourceoftheirBeing,asthoughwithinItsPortals,transcendingall-createdpowers,bothvisibleandinvisible.Thereforewemustrecognizethattheyarepure,notashavingbeencleansedfromstainsanddefilements,norasnotadmittingmaterialimages,butasfarhigherthanallbaseness,andsurpassingallthatisholy.Asbefitsthehighestpurity,theyareestablishedabovethemostGodlikePowersandeternallykeeptheirownself-motiveandself-sameorderthroughtheEternalLoveofGod,neverweakeninginpower,abidingmostpurelyintheirownGodlikeidentity,everunshakenandunchanging.Again,theyarecontemplative,notasbeholdingintellectualorsensiblesymbols,norasbeingupliftedtotheDivinebytheall-variouscontemplationssetforthintheures,butasfilledwithLighthigherthanallimmaterialknowledge,andrapt,asismeet,inthecontemplationofthatBeautywhichisthesuperessentialtriuneOriginandCreatorofallbeauty.InlikemannertheyarethoughtworthyoffellowshipwithJesus,notthroughsacredimageswhichshadowforththeDivineLikeness,butastrulybeingclosetoHiminthatfirstparticipationoftheknowledgeofHisDeifyingIlluminations.Moreover,theimitationofGodisgrantedtotheminapreeminentdegree,andasfarastheirnaturepermitstheysharethedivineandhumanvirtuesinprimarypower.

Inthesamemannertheyareperfect,notasthoughenlightenedbyananalyticalknowledgeofholyvariety,butbecausetheyarewhollyperfectedthroughthehighestandmostperfectdeification,possessingthehighestknowledgethatAngelscanhaveoftheworksofGod;beingHierarchsnotthroughotherholybeings,butfromGodHimself,andsincetheyareupliftedtoGoddirectlyby——

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theirpre-eminentpowerandrank,theyarebothestablishedimmovablybesidetheAll-Holy,andareborneup,asfarasisallowable,tothecontemplationofHisIntelligibleandSpiritualBeauty.BeingplacednearesttoGod,theyareinstructedinthetrueunderstandingofthedivineworks,andreceivetheirhierarchicalorderinthehighestdegreefromDeityItself,theFirstPrincipleofPerfection.

ThetheologiansthereforeclearlyshowthatthelowerranksoftheCelestialBeingsreceivetheunderstandingofthedivineworksfromthoseabovetheminafittingmanner,andthatthehighestarecorrespondinglyenlightenedintheDivineMysteriesbytheMostHighGodHimself.(6)Forsomeofthemareshowntousasenlightenedinholymattersbythoseabovethem,andwelearnthatHewhoinhumanformascendedtoheavenisLordoftheCelestialPowersandKingofGlory.AndAngelsarerepresentedasquestioningHimanddesiringknowledgeofHisdivineredemptiveworkforus,andJesusHimselfisdepictedasteachingthemandrevealingdirectlytothemHisgreatgoodnesstowardsmankind-ForI,Hesays,-speakrighteousnessandthejudgmentofsalvation-Moreover,IamastonishedthateventhefirstrankofCelestialBeings,sofarsurpassingalltheothers,shouldreverentlydesiretoreceivethedivineenlightenmentinanintermediatemanner.Fortheydonotaskdirectly,-WhereforeareThygarmentsred?-butfirsteagerlyquestiononeanother,showingthattheyseekandlongfortheknowledgeofHisdivinewords,withoutexpectationoftheenlightenmentdivinelygrantedthem.

ThefirstHierarchyoftheCelestialIntelligences,therefore,ispurifiedandenlightened;beingordainedbythatFirstPerfectingCause,uplifteddirectlytoHimself,andfilled,analogously,withthemostholypurificationoftheboundlessLightoftheSupreme——

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Perfection,untouchedbyanyinferiority,fullofPrimalLight,andperfectedbyitsunionwiththefirst-givenUnderstandingandKnowledge.

Buttosumup,Imaysay,notunreasonably,thattheparticipationinDivineKnowledgeisapurification,anilluminationandaperfection.ForitpurifiesfromignorancebytheknowledgeoftheperfectMysteriesgrantedinduemeasure;itilluminatesthroughtheDivineKnowledgeItselfbywhichitpurifiesthemindwhichformerlydidnotbeholdthatwhichisnowshowntoitbythehigherillumination;anditperfectsbytheself-samelightthroughtheabidingknowledgeofthemostluminousinitiations.

This,sofarasIknow,isthefirstOrderofCelestialBeingswhichareestablishedaboutGod,immediatelyencirclingHim:andinperpetualpuritytheyencompassHiseternalKnowledgeinthatmosthighandeternalangelicdance,raptintheblissofmanifoldblessedcontemplations,andirradiatedwithpureandprimalsplendours.

Thearefilledwithdivinefoodwhichismanifold,throughthefirst-givenoutpouring,yetonethroughtheunvariedandunificonenessofthedivinebanquet;andtheyaredeemedworthyofcommunionandco-operationwithGodbyreasonoftheirassimilationtoHim,asfarasispossibleforthem,intheexcellenceoftheirnaturesandenergies.Fortheyknowpre-eminentlymanydivinematters,andtheyparticipateasfarastheymayinDivineUnderstandingandKnowledge.

Whereforetheologyhasgiventhoseonearthitshymnsorpraiseinwhichisdivinelyshownforththegreatexcellenceofitssublimeillumination.Forsomeofthatchoir(tousematerialterms)cryout——

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aswithavoicelikethesoundofmanywaters,-BlessedistheGloryoftheLordfromHisPlace-;otherscryaloudthatmostrenownedandsacredhymnofhighestpraisetoGod,-Holy,holy,holy,LordGodofSabaoth,thewholeearthisfullofThyGlory!-

NowwehavealreadyexpoundedtothebestofourabilityinthetreatiseonDivineHymnsthesemostsublimehymnsofthesupercelestialIntelligences,andhavesufficientlydealtwiththemthere.ForthepresentpurposeitisenoughtoorecallthatthisfirstOrder,havingbeendulyenlightenedbytheDivineGoodnessintheknowledgeoftheology,gavetothosebelowit,asbefitsangelicgoodness,thisteaching(tostateitbriefly-)thatitismeetthatthemostaugustDeity,abovepraise,andall-praised,worthyofthehighestpraise,shouldbeknownandproclaimed,asfarasisattainable,bytheGod-filledIntelligences(for,astheuressay,beingintheLikenessofGod,the\aredivinehabitationsoftheDivineStillness);andagain,theteachingthatHeisamonadandtri-subsistentunity,providentiallypervadingallthingsthroughHisGoodness,fromthesupercelestialNaturesdowntothelowestthingsoftheearth;forHeisthesuper-originalPrincipleandCauseofeveryessence,andholdsthewholeuniversesuperessentiallyinHisirresistibleembrace.

CHAPTERVIII

OftheDominions,VirtuesandPowers,andtheirmiddleHierarchy.

NowwemustpassontothemiddleOrderoftheCelestialIntelligences,contemplatingwithsupermundanesight,asfaraswe——

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may,theDominionsandthetrulymajesticsplendouroftheDivineVirtuesandPowers.ForthenamesofthesesupernalBeingsdenotethedivinecharacteristicsoftheirlikenesstoGod.

ThenamegiventotheholyDominionssignifies,Ithink,acertainunboundedelevationtothatwhichisabove,freedomfromallthatisoftheearth,andfromallinwardinclinationtothebondageofdiscord,aliberalsuperioritytoharshtyranny,anexemptnessfromdegradingservilityandfromallthatislow:fortheyareuntouchedbyanyinconsistency.TheyaretrueLords,perpetuallyaspiringtotruelordship,andtotheSourceoflordship,andtheyprovidentiallyfashionthemselvesandthosebelowthem,asfaraspossible,intothelikenessoftruelordship.Theydonotturntowardsvainshadows,butwhollygivethemselvestothattrueAuthority,foreveronewiththeGodlikeSourceoflordship.

ThenameoftheholyVirtuessignifiesacertainpowerfulandunshakablevirilitywellingforthintoalltheirGodlikeenergies;notbeingweakandfeebleforanyreceptionofthedivineIlluminationsgrantedtoit;mountingupwardsinfullnessofpowertoanassimilationwithGod;neverfallingawayfromtheDivineLifethroughitsownweakness,butascendingunwaveringlytothesuperessentialVirtuewhichistheSourceofvirtue:fashioningitself,asfarasitmay,invirtue;perfectlyturnedtowardstheSourceofvirtue,andflowingforthprovidentiallytothosebelowit,abundantlyfillingthemwithvirtue.

ThenameoftheholyPowers,co-equalwiththeDivineDominionsandVirtues,signifiesanorderlyandunconfinedorderinthedivinereceptions,andtheregulationofintellectualandsupermundanepowerwhichneverdebasesitsauthoritybytyrannicalforce,butisirresistiblyurgedonwardindueordertotheDivine.Itbeneficently——

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leadsthosebelowit,asfaraspossible,totheSupremePowerwhichistheSourceofPower,whichitmanifestsafterthemannerofAngelsinthewellorderedranksofitsownauthoritativepower.

ThismiddlerankoftheCelestialIntelligences,havingtheseGodlikecharacteristics,ispurified,illuminatedandperfectedinthemanneralreadydescribed,bythedivineIlluminationsbestoweduponitinasecondarymannerthroughthefirsthierarchicalOrder,andshownforthinasecondarymanifestationbythemiddlechoir.

TheknowledgewhichissaidtobeimpartedbyoneAngeltoanothermaybeinterpretedasasymbolofthatperfectingwhichiseffectedfromafarandmadeobscurebecauseofitspassagetothesecondrank.For,asthosesaywhoarewiseinthesacredMysteries,thedirectrevelationsoftheDivineLightimpartagreaterperfectionthanthosebestowedthroughanintermediary;andinthesamewayIconsiderthattheOrderofAngelswhichisestablishednearesttotheGodheadparticipatesdirectlyinamoreresplendentlightthanisimpartedtothosewhoareperfectedthroughothers.

ForthisreasontheFirstIntelligencesarecalledinourpriestlytraditionperfective,illuminativeandpurificatorypowersinregardtothelowerOrderswhichareupliftedbythemtothesuperessentialPrincipleofall,andasfarasisrightforthemaremadepartakersofthemysticalpurifications,illuminationsandperfections.Forthisuniversalordinanceisdivinelyestablished,thattheDivineLightisimpartedtosecondarynaturesthroughprimarynatures.

Youwillfindthisvariouslysetforthbytheologians,forwhentheDivineandFatherlyLoveformanreprovedtheIsraelitesandchastenedthemfortheirsalvationbydeliveringthemfortheir——

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correctionintothehandsofcruelandbarbaricnations,andwithprovidentialguidanceledthembackbymanypathstoabettercondition,andmercifullyrecalledthemfromcaptivitytofreedomandtheirformerhappystate,oneofthetheologians,namedZachariah,seesoneofthoseAngelswhich,asIbelievearefirstandnearesttoGod(forthenameAngel,asIhavesaid,iscommontoall),receivingfromGodHimselfthewordsofcomfort,astheyarecalled,andanotherAngeloflowerrankgoingtomeetthefirstasiftoreceiveandpartakeofthelight,andthenreceivingfromhim,asfromahierarch,thedivinepurpose,beingdirectedtorevealtothetheologianthatJerusalemshouldbeinhabitedbyagreatandfruitfulnation.

Anothertheologian,Ezekiel,saysthatthemostsacrededictcameforthfromthesupremelygloriousGodheadItself,exaltedabovetheCherubim.ForaftertheFather,ashasbeensaid,hadinHismercyledtheChildrenofIsraelthroughdisciplinestoabetterconditionHedecreedinHisdivinejusticethattheguiltyshouldbeseparatedfromtheinnocent.ThisisfirstrevealedtoonebelowtheCherubim,whowasgirtabouttheloinswithasapphire,andwasrobedinagarmentreachingtothefeet,thesymbolofanhierarch.ButtheDivineLawordainedthattheotherAngelsarmedwithbattle-axesshouldbeinstructedbytheformerrespectingthedivinejudgmentinthismatter.ForHedirectedtheonetogothroughthemidstofJerusalemandtosetamarkupontheforeheadsoftheinnocent;buttotheotherAngelsHesaid,-Gointothecity,followinghim,andstrike,andturnnotasideyoureyes;butdrawnotnearuntothoseuponwhomisthemark.

WhatcouldbesaidconcerningtheAngelwhosaidtoDaniel,-TheWordhasgoneforth-?orconcerningthathighestonewhotookthefirefromthemidstoftheCherubim?Orwhatcouldestablishmore——

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clearlythedistinctionbetweentheangelicranksthanthis,thattheCherubcastthefireintothehandsofhimwhowasclothedwiththesacredvestment?OrthatHewhocalledthemostdivineGabrieltoHimselfsaid,-Makethismanunderstandthevision-?AndmanyothersimilarthingsarerelatedbythevenerabletheologiansregardingtheDivineOrderoftheCelestialHierarchies.

Bymouldingitselfaftertheirlikenessourownhierarchywill,asfaraspossible,beassimilatedtoitandwill,inverydeed,showforth,asinimages,theangelicbeauty;receivingitsformfromthem,andbeingupliftedbythemtothesuperessentialSourceofeveryHierarchy.

CHAPTERIX

OfthePrincipalities,ArchangelsandAngels,andoftheirlastHierarchy,.

ThereremainsforusthereverentcontemplationofthatsacredOrderwhichcompletestheAngelicHierarchies,andiscomposedoftheDivinePrincipalities,ArchangelsandAngels.Andfirst,Ithink,Ioughttoexplaintothebestofmyabilitythemeaningsoftheirholynames.

ThenameoftheCelestialPrincipalitiessignifiestheirGodlikeprincelinessandauthoritativenessinanOrderwhichisholyandmostfittingtotheprincelyPowers,andthattheyarewhollyturnedtowardsthePrinceofPrinces,andleadothersinprincelyfashion,andthattheyareformed,asfaraspossible,inthelikenessoftheSourceofPrincipality,andrevealItssuperessentialorderbythe

AnImageofanAngelbyPerrugino——

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goodOrderoftheprincelyPowers.

ThechoiroftheholyArchangelsisplacedinthesamethreefoldOrderastheCelestialPrincipalities;for,ashasbeensaid,thereisoneHierarchyandOrderwhichincludestheseandtheAngels.ButsinceeachHierarchyhasfirst,middleandlastranks,theholyOrderofArchangels,throughitsmiddleposition,participatesinthetwoextremes,beingjoinedwiththemost.holyPrincipalitiesandwiththeholyAngels.

ItisjoinedwiththePrincedomsbecauseitisturnedinaprincelywaytothesuperessentialPrincipalityand,asfarasitcanattain,mouldsitselfinHislikeness,anditisseentobethecauseoftheunionoftheAngelswithitsownorderlyandinvisibleleadership.ItisjoinedwiththeAngelsbecauseitbelongstotheinterpretingOrder,receivinginitsturntheilluminationsfromtheFirstPowers,andbeneficentlyannouncingtheserevelationstotheAngels;andbymeansoftheAngelsitshowsthemforthtousinthemeasureofthemysticalreceptivityofeachonewhoisinspiredbythedivineIllumination.FortheAngels,aswehavesaid,fillupandcompletethelowestchoirofalltheHierarchiesoftheCelestialIntelligencessincetheyarethelastoftheCelestialBeingspossessingtheangelicnature.Andthey,indeed,aremoreproperlynamedAngelsbyusthanarethoseofahigherrankbecausetheirchoirismoredirectlyincontactWithmanifestedandmundanethings.

ThehighestOrder,aswehavesaid,beingintheforemostplaceneartheHiddenOne,mustberegardedashierarchicallyorderinginabiddenmannerthesecondOrder;andthesecondOrderofDominions,VirtuesandPowers,leadsthePrincipalities,ArchangelsandAngelsmoremanifestly,indeed,thanthefirstHierarchy,butinamorehiddenmannerthantheOrderbelowit;andthe——

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revealingOrderofthePrincipalities,ArchangelsandAngelspresidesonethroughtheotheroverthehumanhierarchiessothattheirelevationandturningtoGodandtheircommunionandunionwithHimmaybeinorder;andmoreover,thattheprocessionfromGod,beneficentlygrantedtoalltheHierarchies,andvisitingthemallincommon,maybewiththemostholyorder.

AccordinglytheWordofGodhasgivenourhierarchyintothecareofAngels,forMichaeliscalledLordofthepeopleofJudah,andotherAngelsareassignedtootherpeoples.FortheMostHighestablishedtheboundariesofthenationsaccordingtothenumberoftheAngelsofGod.

IfsomeoneshouldaskwhytheHebrewsalonewereguidedtothedivineIlluminations,weshouldanswerthattheturningawayofthenationstofalsegodsoughtnottobeattributedtothedirectguidanceofAngels,buttotheirownrefusalofthetruepathwhichleadstoGod,andthefallingawaythroughselfloveandperversity,andsimilarly,theworshipofthingswhichtheyregardedasdivine.

EventheHebrewsaresaidtohaveactedthus,forhesays,-ThouhastcastawaytheknowledgeofGodandhastgoneafterthineownheart.Forourlifeisnotruledbynecessity,norarethedivineirradiationsofProvidentialLightobscuredbecauseofthefreewillofthoseunderItscare;butitisthedissimilarityofthementaleyeswhichcausestheLightstreamingforthresplendentlyfromtheGoodnessoftheFathertobeeithertotallyunsharedandunacceptedthroughtheirresistancetoIt,orcausesanunequalparticipation,smallorgreat,darkorbright,ofthatFontalRaywhichneverthelessisoneandunmixed,eternallychangeless,andforeverabundantlyshedforth——

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ForevenifcertainGodsnotalientothempresidedovertheothernations(fromwhichweourselveshavecomeforthintothatillimitableandabundantseaofDivineLightwhichisoutspreadfreelyforalltoshare),yetthereisoneRulerofall,andtoHimtheAngelswhoministertoeachnationleadtheirfollowers.

LetusconsiderMelchisadek,thehierarchmostbelovedofGod-notofvaingods,butapriestofthetrulyhighestofGods-forthosewiseinthethingsofGoddidnotsimplycallMelchisadekthefriendofGod,butalsopriest,inordertoshowclearlytothewisethatnotonlywashehimselfturnedtoHimwhoistrulyGod,butalso,ashierarch,wastheleaderofothersintheascenttothetrueandonlyGodhead.

LetusalsoremindyouinconnectionwithyourknowledgeofhierarchythatPharaohwasshownthroughvisionsbytheAngelwhopresidedovertheEgyptians,andthePrinceofBabylonwasshownbyhisownAngel,thewatchfulandoverrulingPowerofProvidence.AndforthosenationstheservantsofthetrueGodwereappointedasleaders,theinterpretationsofangelicvisionshavingbeenrevealedfromGodthroughAngelstoholymenneartotheAngels,likeDanielandJoseph.

ForthereisoneSovereignandProvidenceofall,andwemustneversupposethatGodwasleaderoftheJewsbychance,northatcertainAngels,eitherindependently,orwithequalrank,orinoppositiontooneanother,ruledovertheothernations;butthisteachingmustbereceivedaccordingtothefollowingholyintention,notasmeaningthatGodhadsharedthesovereigntyofmankindwithotherGods,orwithAngels,andhadbeenchosenbychanceasrulerandleaderofIsrael,butasshowingthatalthoughoneall-powerfulProvidenceoftheMostHighconsignedthewholeofmankindtothecareoftheir——

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ownAngelsfortheirpreservation,yettheIsraelites,almostaloneofthemall,turnedtotheknowledgeandlightofthetrueGod.

ThereforetheWordofGod,whenrelatinghowIsraeldevotedhimselftotheworshipofthetrueGod,says,-HebecametheLord-sportion.Moreoveritshowsthathetoo,equallywithothernations,wasgivenintothechargeofoneoftheholyAngels,inorderthathemightknowthroughhimtheonePrincipleofallthings.ForitsaysthatMichaelwastheleaderoftheJews,clearlyshowingthatthereisoneProvidenceestablishedsuperessentiallyabovealltheinvisibleandvisiblepowers,andthatalltheAngelswhopresideoverthedifferentnationsliftuptothatProvidence,astotheirownPrinciple,asfarasisintheirpower,thosewhowillinglyfollowthem.

CHAPTERX

RecapitulationandsummaryoftheAngelicHierarchies.

WehaveagreedthatthemostvenerableHierarchyoftheIntelligences,whichisclosetoGod,isconsecratedbyHisfirstandhighestRay,andupliftingitselfdirectlytoIt,ispurified,illuminatedandperfectedbytheLightoftheGodheadwhichisbothmorehiddenandmorerevealed.ItismorehiddenbecauseItismoreintelligible,moresimplifying,andmoreunitive,ItismorerevealedbecauseItistheFirstGiftandtheFirstLight,andmoreuniversalandmoreinfusedwiththeGodhead,asthoughtransparent.Andbythisagainthesecondinitsowndegree,andbythesecondthethird,——

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andbythethirdourhierarchy,accordingtothesamelawoftheregularprincipleoforder,indivineharmonyandproportion,arehierarchically,leduptothesuper-primalSourceandEndofallgoodorders,accordingtothatdivinelyestablishedlaw.

EachOrderistheinterpreterandheraldofthoseaboveit,themostvenerablebeingtheinterpreterofGodwhoinspiresthem,andtheothersinturnofthoseinspiredbyGod.ForthatsuperessentialharmonyofallthingshasprovidedmostcompletelyfortheholyregulationandthesureguidanceofrationalandintellectualbeingsbytheestablishmentofthebeautifulchoirsofeachHierarchy;andweseethateveryHierarchypossessesfirst,middleandlastpowers.

Buttospeakrightly,Healsodividedeachrankinthesamedivineharmonies,andonthisaccounttheuressaythatthemostdivineSeraphimcryonetoanother,bywhich,asIthink,itisclearthatthefirstimparttothesecondtheirknowledgeofdivinethings.

Thismayfittinglybeadded,thateachCelestialandhumanintelligencecontainsinitselfitsownfirst,middleandlastpowers,whicharemanifestedinawayanalogoustotheaforesaidordinationbelongingtoeachoftheHierarchicalilluminations;andaccordinglyeachintelligence,asfarasisrightandattainabletoit,participatesinthemostspotlesspurity,themostabundantlight,andthemostcompleteperfection.Fornothingisself-perfectnorabsolutelyunindigentofperfection,saveonlyThatwhichistrulyself-perfectandaboveallperfection——

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CHAPTERXI

WhyalltheCelestialHierarchiesincommonarecalledCelestialPowers.

Nowthatthesethingshavebeendefined,thereasonforapplyingthegeneralname,CelestialPowers,toalltheAngelicbeingsdemandsourconsideration.Forwecannotsayofthese,aswecanoftheAngels,thattheOrderoftheholyPowersisthelastofall;moreover,thehigherOrdersofbeings,indeed,havepartintheilluminationsofthelowest,butthelastbynomeanspossessthoseofthefirst.AndforthisreasonalltheDivineIntelligencesarecalledCelestialPowers,butneverSeraphimorThronesorDominions;sincethelowestdonotshareinthewholecharacteristicsofthehighest.FortheAngels,andtheArchangelsabovethem,andthePrincipalities,andtherankswhichareplacedbytheologyafterthePowers,arefrequent1ycalledbyusCelestialPowers,incommonwithalltheotherholybeings.

Butwedenythatinusingthegeneralname,CelestialPowers,forallwecauseanyconfusionwithregardtothecharacteristicsofeachOrder.ForalltheDivineCelestialIntelligencesaredivided,accordingtothesupermundaneaccountofthem,intothreegroupsinrespectoftheiressence,powerandactivity;andwhenwenameallorsomeofthem,loosely,CelestialBeingsorCelestialPowers,wearereferringtothemindirectlyintermsofthatessenceorpowerwhicheachpossesses.

ButwemustnotassignthehighestcharacteristicsoftheholyPowers(whichwehavealreadywelldistinguished)toallthenatureswhollybelowthem,forthiswouldbringconfusionintothe——

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clearandharmoniousOrderofAngels:for,aswehavefrequentlyrightlyshown,thehighestOrderspossessinfullestmeasuretheholycharacteristicsofthelower,butthelowestdonotpossessthepre-eminentunitiveprinciplesofthosemorevenerablethanthemselves,becausetheFirstRadianceisimpartedtothemthroughthefirstOrdersaccordingtotheircapacity.

CHAPTERXII

WhytheHierarchsamongmenarecalledAngels.

Thosewhoearnestlystudytheholyuressometimesask,-Ifthelowestranksdonotpossesstothefullthepowersofthoseabovethem,whyisourHierarchcalledintheholyWordtheAngeloftheOmnipotentLord?-

This,however,doesnotcontradictwhathasbeenalreadydefined.Forwesaythatthelowestchoirsdonotpossesstheintegralandpre-eminentpowerofthehigherOrders,sincetheyreceiveitpartially,inthemeasureoftheircapacity,inaccordancewiththeoneharmoniousandbindingfellowshipofallthings.

Forexample,thechoiroftheholyCherubimparticipatesinhigherwisdomandknowledge,whilsttheOrdersbelowthemarethemselvesalsopartakersofwisdomandknowledge,butmorepartially,andinalowerdegreeproportionedtotheircapacity.FortheuniversalparticipationinwisdomandknowledgeissharedbyalltheDivineIntelligences,butthedegreeofparticipation,whetherimmediateandfirst,orsecondandinferior,isnotcommon,butisdeterminedforeachbyitsownrank.Thisalsomayberightlysaid——

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ofalltheDivineIntelligences,thatevenasthefirstpossessinthehighestdegreetheholycharacteristicsoftheOrdersbelowthem,sothelowestpossessthepowersofthehigher,notinequalmeasure,butinasubordinatedegree.

ThereforeIdonotthinkitunreasonablethattheuresshouldcallourhierarchsAngels,sincetheyparticipateaccordingtotheirownpowerintheinterpretativecharacteristicoftheAngels,andupliftthemselves,asfarasispossibletoman,intoanassimilationtotheAngelsasrevealersoftruth.

Youwillfind,moreover,thattheWordofGodnotonlycallstheseCelestialBeingsaboveusGods,butalsogivesthisnametosaintlymenamongstus,andtothosemenwho,inthehighestdegree,areloversofGod;althoughtheFirstandUnmanifestGodsuperessentiallytranscendsallthings,beingenthronedaboveall,andthereforenoneofthebeingsorthingswhicharecantrulybesaidtobewhollylikeHim,saveinsofarasthoseintellectualandrationalbeingswhoarewhollyturnedtowardsunionwithHim,asfarasisintheirpower,andwho,upliftingthemselvesperpetually,asfaraspossible,totheDivineRadiance,intheimitationofGod(ifitbelawfulsotospeak)withalltheirpowers,arethoughtworthyofthesamedivinename.

CHAPTERXIII

ThereasonwhytheprophetIsaiahissaidtohavebeenpurifiedbytheSeraphim.

Letusnowdealtothebestofourabilitywiththequestionwhythe——

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Seraphissaidtohavebeensenttooneoftheprophets.Forsomeonemayfeeldoubtoruncertaintyastowhyoneofthebeingsofthehighestrankismentionedascleansingtheprophet,insteadofoneofthelowerranksofAngels.

Some,indeed,saythataccordingtothedeionalreadygivenoftheinter-relationofalltheIntelligences,thepassagedoesnotrefertooneofthefirstoftheIntelligencesnearesttoGod,ashavingcometopurifythehierarch,butthatoneofthoseAngelswhoareourguardianswascalledbythesamenameastheSeraphimbecauseofhissacredfunctionofpurifyingtheprophet,forthereasonthattheremissionofsinsandtheregenerationofhimwhowaspurifiedtoobediencetoGodwasaccomplishedthroughfire.AndtheysayalsothatthepassagesimplysaysoneoftheSeraphim,notofthoseestablishedaroundGod,butofthepurifyingpowerswhichpresideoverus.

Butanothersuggestedtomeasolutionoftheproblembynomeansunlikely,forhesaidthatthegreatAngel,whoeverhemayhavebeen,whofashionedthisvisionforthepurposeofinstructingtheprophetindivinematters,referredhisownofficeofpurificationfirsttoGod,andafterGodtothatfirstHierarchy.Andisnotthisstatementtrue?ForhewhosaidthissaidthattheDivineFirstPowergoesforthvisitingallthings,andirresistiblypenetratesallthings,andyetisinvisibletoall,notonlyassuperessentiallytranscendingallthings,butalsobecauseIttransmitsItsProvidentialEnergiesinahiddenwaythroughallthings.Moreover,ItisrevealedtoallIntellectualNaturesindueproportion,andbestowstheradianceofItsLightuponthemostexaltedbeingsthroughwhom,asleaders,Itisimpartedtothelowerchoirsinorderaccordingtotheirpowerofdivinecontemplation;ortospeakinmoresimpleterms,bywayofillustration(foralthoughnaturalthingsdonottrulyresembleGod,——

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whotranscendsall,yettheyaremoreeasilyseenbyus),thelightofthesunpassesreadilythroughthefirstmatter,forthisismoretransparent,andbymeansofthisitdisplaysmorebrightlyitsownbrilliance;butwhenitfallsuponsomedensermaterialitisshedforthagainlessbrightlybecausethematerialwhichisilluminatedisnotadaptedforthetransmissionoflight,andafterthisitislittlebylittlediminisheduntilithardlypassesthroughatall.Similarly,theheatoffireimpartsitselfmorereadilytothatwhichismoreadaptedtoreceiveit,beingyieldingandconductivetoitslikeness;butuponsubstancesofoppositenaturewhichareresistanttoit,eithernoeffectatalloronlyaslighttraceoftheactionofthefireappears;andwhatismore,whenfireisappliedtomaterialsofoppositenaturethroughtheuseofothersubstancesreceptivetoitthefirefirstheatsthematerialwhichiseasilymadehot,andthroughit,heatsproportionatelythewaterorothersubstancewhichdoesnotsoeasilybecomehot.

Thus,accordingtothesamelawofthematerialorder,theFountofallorder,visibleandinvisible,supernaturallyshowsforththegloryofItsownradianceinall-blessedoutpouringsoffirstmanifestationtothehighestbeings,andthroughthemthosebelowthemparticipateintheDivineRay.ForsincethesehavethehighestknowledgeofGod,anddesirepre-eminentlytheDivineGoodness,theyarethoughtworthytobecomefirstworkers,asfarascanbeattained,oftheimitationoftheDivinePowerandEnergy,andbeneficentlyupliftthosebelowthem,asfarasisintheirpower,tothesameimitationbysheddingabundantlyuponthemthesplendourwhichhascomeuponthemselves;whilethese,inturn,imparttheirlighttolowerchoirs.Andthus,throughoutthewholeHierarchy,thehigherimpartthatwhichtheyreceivetothelower,andthroughtheDivineProvidenceallaregrantedparticipationintheDivineLightinthemeasureoftheirreceptivity——

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Thereis,therefore,oneSourceofLightforeverythingwhichisilluminated,namely,God,whobyHisNature,trulyandrightly,istheEssenceofLight,andCauseofbeingandofvision.ButitisordainedthatinimitationofGodeachofthehigherranksofbeingsisthesourceinturnfortheonewhichfollowsit;sincetheDivineRaysarepassedthroughittotheother.ThereforethebeingsofalltheAngelicranksnaturallyconsiderthehighestOrderoftheCelestialIntelligencesasthesource,afterGod,ofallholyknowledgeandimitationofGod,becausethroughthemtheLightoftheSupremeGodisimpartedtoallandtous.Onthisaccounttheyreferallholyworks,inimitationofGod,toGodastheUltimateCause,buttothefirstDivineIntelligencesasthefirstregulatorsandtransmittersofDivineEnergies.

ThereforethefirstOrderoftheholyAngelspossessesaboveallothersthecharacteristicoffire,andtheabundantparticipationofDivineWisdom,andthepossessionofthehighestknowledgeoftheDivineIlluminations,andthecharacteristicofThroneswhichsymbolizesopennesstothereceptionofGod.ThelowerOrdersoftheCelestialBeingsparticipatealsointhesefiery,wiseandGod-receptivePowers,butinalowerdegree,andaslookingtothoseabovethemwho,beingthoughtworthyoftheprimaryimitationofGod,upliftthem,asfaraspossible,intothelikenessofGod.

Theseholycharacteristicsinwhichthesecondarynaturesaregrantedparticipationthroughthefirst,theyascribetothoseveryIntelligences,afterGod,asHierarchs.

HewhogavethisexplanationusedtosaythatthevisionwasshowntotheprophetbyoneofthoseholyandblessedAngelswhopresideoverus,bywhoseenlighteningguidancehewasraisedto——

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thatintellectualcontemplationinwhichhebeheldthemostexaltedBeings(tospeakinsymbols)establishedunderGod,withGodandaroundGod;andtheirsuper-princelyLeader,ineffablyupliftedabovethemall,establishedinthemidstofthesupremelyexaltedPowers.

Theprophet,therefore,learnedfromthesevisionsthat,accordingtoeverysuperessentialexcellence,thedivineOnesubsistsinincomparablepre-eminence,excellingallvisibleandinvisiblepowers,aboveandexemptfromall;andthatHebearsnolikenesseventothosefirst-subsistingBeings;andmoreoverthatHeisthePrincipleandCauseofallbeing,andtheImmutableFoundationoftheabidingstabilityofthingsthatare,fromwhichthemostexaltedPowershaveboththeirbeingandtheirwell-being.ThenhewasinstructedthattheDivinePowersoftheholyures,whosesacrednamemeans-TheFieryOnes-,andofwhichweshallsoonspeak,asfaraswecan,ledtheupliftmentofthefierypowertowardstheDivineLikeness.

WhentheholyprophetsawinthesacredvisionofthesixfoldwingsthemosthighandabsoluteupliftmenttotheDivineinfirst,middleandlastIntelligences,andbeheldtheirmanyfeetandmanyfaces,andperceivedthattheireyesandtheirfeetwerecoveredbytheirwings,andthatthemiddlewingswereinceaselessmovement,hewasguidedtotheintelligibleknowledgeofthatwhichwasseenthroughtherevelationtohimofthefarreachingandfar-seeingpowerofthemostexaltedIntelligences,andoftheirholyawewhichtheyhaveinasupermundanemannerintheboldandpersistentandunendingsearchintohigheranddeeperMysteries,andtheperfectharmonyoftheirceaselessactivityinimitationofGod,andtheirperpetualupwardsoaringtotheheights——

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Moreover,healsolearnedthatdivineandmostglorioussongofpraise;fortheAngelwhofashionedthevisiongave,asfaraspossible,hisownholyknowledgetotheprophet.HealsotaughthimthateveryparticipationintheDivineLightandPurity,asfarasthismaybeattained,isapurification,eventothemostpure.HavingitssourceintheMostHighGod,itproceedsfromthemostexaltedCausesinasuperessentialandhiddenmanner,traversingthewholeoftheDivineIntelligences,andyetitshowsitselfmoreclearly,andimpartsitselfmorefullytothemostexaltedPowersaroundGod.

Butastothesecondaryorlastintellectualpowers,orourownpowers,inproportionaseachisfurtherfromtheDivineLikeness,sotheDivineRayenfoldsItsmostbrilliantlightwithinItsownineffableandhiddenUnity.Moreover,ItilluminatesthesecondOrdersseverallythroughthefirst,andinshort,ItcomesforthoriginallyintomanifestationfromtheUnmanifestthroughthefirstPowers.

TheprophetwastaughtbytheAngelwhowasleadinghimtolightthatthedivinepurification,andalltheotherdivineactivitiesshiningforththroughtheFirstBeings,areimpartedtoalltheothersinthemeasureofthefitnessofeachforthedivineparticipations.

WhereforehereasonablyassignedtotheSeraphim,afterGod,thecharacteristicofimpartingpurificationbyfire.AndthereisnothingunreasonableintherepresentationoftheSeraphaspurifyingtheprophet;forjustasGodHimself,thecauseofeverypurification,purifiesall,orrather(touseamorefamilarillustration),justasourhierarch,whenpurifyingorenlighteningthroughhispriestsorministers,mayhimselfbesaidtopurifyandilluminate,because

Cherubs,byPinturicchio——

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thoseorderswhichhehasconsecratedrefertheirsacredactivitiestohim,soalsotheAngelwhopurifiestheprophetrefershisownpurifyingpowerandknowledgetoGodasitsorigin,buttotheSeraphasthefirst-workingHierarch-asthoughsayingwithangelicreverencewheninstructinghimwhowasbeingpurified:-ThereisanexemptSourceandEssenceandCreatorandCauseofthepurificationeffectedinyoubyme,HewhobringsintobeingtheFirstBeings,andholdsthemestablishedroundHimself,andpreservestheirchangelessstability,andguidesthemtowardsthefirstparticipationsinHisownProvidentialEnergies-(Forthis,sohesaidwhotaughtme,showsthemissionoftheSeraph.)-ButtheHierarchandLeader,afterGod,thefirstOrderofthefirstBeings,bywhomIwastaughttoperformthedivinepurifications,isthatwhichpurifiestheethroughme;andthroughittheCauseandCreatorofallpurificationbroughtforthHisProvidentialEnergiestousfromthehiddendepths-

Thushetaughtme,andIinturnimpartittothee.Itisforthyintellectualanddiscriminatingskilleithertoacceptoneofthetworeasonsgivenasasolutionofthedifficulty,andpreferthattotheotherasprobableandreasonableandperhapstrue,ortofindfromthyselfsomethingmoreakintotherealtruth,orlearnfromanother(Godindeedgivingtheword,andAngelsdirectingit),andthentorevealtouswholovetheAngelsaclearer,andtomemorewelcomeview,ifsuchshouldbepossible——

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CHAPTERXIV

WhatthetraditionalnumberoftheAngelssignifies.

Thisalsoisworthy,Ithink,ofintellectualconsideration,thattheuraltraditionrespectingtheAngelsgivestheirnumberasthousandsofthousandsandtenthousandtimestenthousand,multiplyingandrepeatingtheveryhighestnumberswehave,thusclearlyshowingthattheOrdersoftheCelestialBeingsareinnumerableforus;somanyaretheblessedHostsoftheSupermundaneIntelligences,whollysurpassingthefeebleandlimitedrangeofourmaterialnumbers.AndtheyaredefinitelyknownonlybytheirownsupermundaneandcelestialIntellectandtheknowledgewhichisgrantedtothemallbounteouslybytheAll-knowingMother-WisdomoftheMostHighGod,whichissuperessentiallyatoncethesubstantiatingCause,theconnectingPower,andtheuniversalConsummationofallprinciplesandthings.

CHAPTERXV

WhatisthemeaningoftheformalsemblancesoftheAngelicPowers?Whatofthefieryandtheanthropomorphic?Whatismeantbytheiryes,nostrils,ears,mouths,touch,eyelidseyebrowstheirmanhood,teeth,shoulders,arms,hands,heart,breasts,backs,feetandwings?Whatarethenakednessandthevesture,theshiningraiment,thepriestlyinsignia,thegirdles?Whataretherods,spears,battle-axesandmeasuring-lines?Whatarethewindsandclouds?Whatismeantbytheirbrassandelectron?Whatarethechoirsandtheclappingofbands?Whatarethecoloursofthevariousjewels?——

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Whatistheformofthelion,theox,theeagle?Whatarethehorses,andtheirvariouscolours?Whataretherivers,thechariots,thewheels?Whatistheso-calledjoyoftheAngels?

Letus,ifyouaresodisposed,nowrelaxourmentalvisionfromtheeffortofthecontemplationofthesublimityoftheAngels,anddescendtotheparticularized,all-variousexpanseofthemanifolddiversityofformsinangelicimages;andthenreturnanalyticallyfromthem,asfromsymbols,ascendingagaintothesimplicityoftheCelestialIntelligences.ButfirstletmepointoutclearlytoyouthattheexplanationsofthesacredlikenessesrepresentthesameOrdersofCelestialBeingssometimesasleading,andagainbeingled,andthelastleadingandthefirstbeingled,andthesameones,ashasbeensaid,havingfirst,middleandlastpowers.Butthereisnothingunreasonableintheaccount,accordingtothefollowingmethodofunfoldment.

If,indeed,wesaidthatsomearefirstgovernedbythoseabovethem,andafterwardsgovernthoseOrders,andthatthehighest,whilstleadingthelowestranks,areatthesametimebeingledbythosewhomtheyareleading,thestatementwouldbeobviouslyabsurdandwhollyconfused.ButifwesaythattheseholyOrdersbothleadandareled,butnotthesameones,norbythesameones,butthateachisledbythoseaboveitself,andinturnleadsthosebelowit,wemayreasonablysaythattheureinitssacredsymbolicpresentationsometimesrightlyandtrulyassignsthesamepowerstothefirst,middleandlastranks.

Whereforetheeagerupwardtendingtothoseabovethem,andtheconstancyoftheirrevolutionaroundthem,beingguardiansoftheirownpowers,andtheirparticipationintheprovidentialpowerof——

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proceedingforthtothosebelowthemthroughtheirowninter-relations,willtrulybefitalltheCelestialBeings,althoughsomepre-eminentlyanduniversally,othersinapartialandlowerdegree.

Butwemustbegintodealwiththeremainingpartofourdiscourse,andmustask,infirstexplanationoftheforms,whytheWordofGodprefersthesacredsymboloffirealmostaboveallothers.Foryouwillfindthatitisusednotonlyunderthefigureoffierywheels,butalsooflivingcreaturesoffire,andofmenflashinglikelightningwhoheaplivecoalsoffireabouttheHeavenlyBeings,andofirresistiblyrushingriversofflame.AlsoitsaysthattheThronesareoffire,anditshowsfromtheirnamethatthemostexaltedSeraphimthemselvesareburningwithfire,assigningtothemthequalitiesandforcesoffire;andthroughout,aboveandbelow,itgivesthehighestpreferencetothesymboloffire.

ThereforeIthinkthatthisimageoffiresignifiestheperfectconformitytoGodoftheCelestialIntelligencesFortheholyprophetsfrequentlylikenthatwhichissuperessentialandformlesstofirewhich(ifitmaylawfullybesaid)possessesmanyresemblancesasinvisiblethingstotheDivineReality.Forthesensiblefireisinsomemannerineverything,andpervadesallthingswithoutminglingwiththem,andisexemptfromallthingsand,althoughwhollybright,yetliesessentiallyhiddenandunknownwhennotincontactwithanysubstanceonwhichitcanexertitsownenergy.Itisirresistibleandinvisible,havingabsoluteruleoverallthings,bringingunderitsownpowerallthingsinwhichitsubsists.Ithastransformingpower,andimpartsitselfinsomemeasuretoeverythingnearit.Itrevivesallthingsbyitsrevivifyingheat,andilluminatesthemallwithitsresplendentbrightness.Itisinsuperableandpure,possessingseparativepower,butitselfchangeless,uplifting,penetrative,high,notheldbackby——

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servilebaseness,ever-moving,selfmoved,movingotherthings.Itcomprehends,butisincomprehensible,unindigent,mysteriouslyincreasingitselfandshowingforthitsmajestyaccordingtothenatureofthesubstancereceivingit,powerful,mighty,invisiblypresenttoallthings.Whennotthoughtof,itseemsnottoexist,butsuddenlyenkindlesitslightinthewaypropertoitsnaturebyfriction,asthoughseekingtodoso,uncontrollablyflyingupwardswithoutdiminishingitsall-blessedself-giving.

ThusmanypropertiesoffiremaybefoundwhichsymbolizethroughsensibleimagestheDivineactivities.Knowingthis,thosewiseinthethingsofGodhaveportrayedtheCelestialBeingsunderthefigureoffire,thusproclaimingtheirlikenesstotheDivine,andtheirimitationofHiminthemeasureoftheirpower.

Buttheyalsoinvestthemwiththelikenessofmenbecauseofthehumanpowersofintellectandaspiration,thestraightanderectform,theinherentpowerofguidingandgoverning;andbecauseman,althoughleastinsense-perceptionincomparisonwiththepowersofirrationalcreatures,yetrulesoverthemallthroughthepre-eminenceofhisintellect,thelordshipofhisrationalknowledge,andtheintrinsicfreedomofhisunconquerablesoul.

Thusitispossible,Ithink,tofindinthevariouspartsofourbodiesfittingsymbolsoftheCelestialPowersbytaking,forexample,thepowerofsightasanimageoftheirmosttransparentupliftmenttotheDivineLight,theirsingle,free,unresistingreceptionofthatLight,theirresponsivenessandpurereceptivitywithoutpassiontothedivineilluminations.

Thehumanpowerofdistinguishingodourssignifiesthepowertoreceivetheinconceivableandmostfragrantdivineinfluences,as——

AnAngelasenvisionedbyRembrandt-

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farasisattainable,andthedefiniterecognitionandutterrejectionofothersnotofthiskind.

Thepoweroftheearsdenotesparticipationinandconsciousgnosticreceptivitytodivineinspiration.Thepoweroftasterepresentsanabundanceofspiritualfoodandthereceptionofdivinestreamsofnourishment.

Thepoweroftouchsymbolizesthepowerofdistinguishingthatwhichisofadvantagefromthatwhichisharmful.Theeyelidsandeyebrowsrepresenttheguardingofintellectualconceptionsindivinecontemplations.Theimagesofyouthandvigourdenotetheirperpetualbloomandvigouroflife.Theteethsymbolizethedistributionofthesustainingperfectionsuppliedtothem;foreachIntellectualOrder,receivingaunitiveconceptionfromtheDivine,withProvidentialPowerdividesandmultipliesitfortheproportionateupliftmentoftheonebelow.

Theshoulders,armsandhandssignifythepowersofactivityandaccomplishment.TheheartisasymbolofthatDivineLifewhichimpartsitsownlife-givingpowerbeneficentlytothosewithinitscare.Wemayaddthatthechest,beingplacedovertheheart,representstheindomitablepowerwhichguardsitsownlife-givingdispensations.Thebackdenotesthatstrengthwhichholdstogetherallthelife-givingpowers.Thefeetsignifythepowerofmotion,swiftnessandskilfulnessintheevermovingadvancetowardsdivinethings.WhereforetheprophetdescribedthefeetoftheCelestialIntelligencesasbeingcoveredbytheirwingswhichsymbolizeaswiftsoaringtotheheights,andtheheavenlyprogressionupthesteep,andtheexemptionfromeverythingearthlythroughtheupwardascent.Thelightnessofthewingsshowsthattheyarealtogetherheavenlyandunsulliedanduntrammelledin——

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theirupliftmentonhigh.Thenakedandunshodfeetsymbolizetheirfree,easyandunrestrainedpower,purefromallexternality,andassimilated,asfarasisattainable,totheDivineSimplicity.

ButsincethatsingleandmanifoldWisdombothclothesthenakedandassignstothemimplementstocarry,letusunfold,asfaraswecan,thesesacredgarmentsandinstrumentsoftheCelestialIntelligences.

Theirshiningandfieryvesturessymbolizes,Ithink,theDivineLikenessundertheimageoffire,andtheirownenlighteningpower,becausetheyabideinHeaven,whereLightis:andalsoitshowsthattheyimpartwhollyintelligibleLight,andareenlightenedintellectually.

Theirpriestlygarmentsymbolizestheirauthorityasleaderstothemysticalanddivinecontemplations,andtheconsecrationoftheirwholelife.Thegirdlesdenotetheirguardianshipoftheirowngenerativepower,andtheirstateofunification,fortheyarewhollydrawntogethertowardstheiressentialunitysurroundingitinaperfectcirclewithchangelesssameness.

Therodsaretokensoftheauthorityofsovereigntyandleadershipandthetruedirectingofallthings.Thespearsandbattle-axesrepresentthepowerofdividingincongruousthingsandthekeen,vigorousandeffectualpowerofdiscrimination.Themeasuring-linesandcarpenters-toolsarefiguresofthepoweroffoundationanderectionandperfection,andwhateverelsebelongstotheprovidentialguidanceandupliftmentofthelowerorders.Sometimes,however,theimplementsassignedtotheholyAngelssymbolizethedivinejudgmentuponourselves;forsomearefiguresofHiscorrectivedisciplineofavengingjustice,othersoffreedom——

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fromdifficulties,ortheperfectionofdisciplinaryinstruction,ortherestorationtoourfirsthappiness,whileotherssignifytheadditionofothergifts,greatorsmall,sensibleorintelligible;andnoacutemindwouldhaveanydifficultyatallinfindingthecorrespondencebetweenthevisiblesymbolsandtheinvisiblerealities.

ThenamewindsgiventotheAngelsdenotestheirswiftoperations,andtheiralmostimmediateimpenetrationofeverything,andatransmittingpowerinallrealms,reachingfromtheabovetothebelow,andfromthedepthstotheheights,andthepowerwhichupliftsthesecondnaturestotheheightabovethem,andmovesthefirsttoaparticipativeandprovidentialupliftmentofthelower.

Butperhapsitmaybesaidthatthenamewinds,appliedtotheaerialspirit,signifiestheDivineLikenessintheCelestialBeings.ForthefigureisatrueimageandtypeofDivineEnergy(asisshownmorefullyintheSymbolicalTheologyinourfourfoldexplanation)correspondingtothemovingandgenerativeforcesofNature,andaswiftandirresistibleadvance,andthemystery,unknownandunseenbyus,ofthemotiveprinciplesandends.ForHesays:-Thouknowestnotwhenceitcomethnorwhitheritgoeth-Theuresalsodepictthemasacloud,showingbythisthattheseholyIntelligencesarefilledinasupermundanemannerwiththehiddenLight,receivingthatfirstrevelationwithoutundueglorying,andtransmittingitwithabundantbrightnesstothelowerOrdersasasecondary,proportionateillumination;andfurther,thatthey,possessgenerating,lifegiving,increasingandperfectingpowersbyreasonoftheirintelligibleoutpourings,asofshowersquickeningthereceptivewombofearthbyfertilizingrainsforlife-givingtravail——

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TheuresalsolikentheCelestialBeingstobrassandelectron,andmanycolouredjewels.Nowelectron,[analloyofsilverandgold]resemblingbothgoldandsilver,islikegoldinitsresistancetocorruptionunspentandundiminished,anditsundimmedbrightness;andislikesilverinitsshiningandheavenlylustre.Butthesymbolismofbrass(inlinewiththeexplanationsalreadygiven)mustresemblethatoffireorgold.Again,ofthemanycolouredvarietiesofstones,thewhiterepresentsthatwhichisluminous,andtheredcorrespondstofire,yellowtogold,andgreentoyouthandvigour.Thuscorrespondingtoeachfigureyouwillfindamysticalinterpretationwhichrelatesthesesymbolicalimagestothethingsabove.

Butnow,sincethishasbeensufficientlyexplained,Ithink,accordingtoourability,letuspassontothesacredunfoldmentofthesymbolismwhichdepictstheCelestialIntelligencesinthelikenessofbeasts.

Theformofalionmustberegardedastypifyingtheirpowerofsovereignty,strengthandindomitableness,andtheardentstrivingupwardwithalltheirpowerstothatmosthidden,ineffable,mysteriousDivineUnityandthecoveringoftheintellectualfoot-prints,(7)andthemysticallymodestconcealmentofthewayleadingtodivineunionthroughtheDivineIllumination.

Thefigureoftheoxsignifiesstrengthandvigourandtheopeningoftheintellectualfurrowstothereceptionoffertilizingshowers;andthehornssignifytheguardingandunconquerablepower.Theformoftheeaglesignifiesroyaltyandhighsoaringandswiftnessofflightandtheeagerseizingofthatfoodwhichrenewstheirstrength,discretion,andeaseofmovementandskill,withstrongintensityofvisionwhichhasthepowertogazeunhindered,directlyandunflinchinglyuponthefullandbrilliantsplendourofthebrightnessoftheDivineSun——

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Thesymbolismofhorsesrepresentsobedienceandtractability.TheshiningwhitehorsesdenotecleartruthandthatwhichisperfectlyassimilatedtotheDivineLightthedark,thatwhichishiddenandsecret;thered,fierymightandenergy;thedappledblackandwhite,thatpowerwhichtraversesallandconnectstheextremes,providential1yandwithperfectingpowerunitingthehighesttothelowestandthelowesttothehighest.

Ifwehadnottobearinmindthelengthofourdiscourse,wemightwelldescribethesymbolicrelationsoftheparticularcharacteristicsofanimalsalreadygiven,andalltheirbodilyforms,withthepowersoftheCelestialIntelligencesaccordingtodissimilarsimilitudes:forexample,theirfuryofangerrepresentsanintellectualpowerofresistanceofwhichangeristhelastandfaintestecho;theirdesiresymbolizestheDivineLove;andinshort,wemightfindinalltheirrationaltendenciesandmanypartsofirrationalcreatures,figuresoftheimmaterialconceptionsandsinglepowersoftheCelestialBeings.This,however,isenoughfortheprudent,foronemysticalinterpretationwillsufficientlyserveasanexamplefortheexplanationofothersofasimilarkind.

WemustnowconsidertherepresentationsoftheCelestialBeingsinconnectionwithriversandwheelsandchariots.TheriversofflamedenotethoseDivineChannelswhichfillthemwithsuper-abundantandeternallyout-pouringstreamsandnourishtheirlife-givingprolificness.

ThechariotssymbolizetheconjoinedfellowshipofthoseofthesameOrder;thewingedwheels,evermovingonward,never——

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turningbackorgoingaside,denotethepoweroftheirprogressiveenergyonastraightanddirectpathinwhichalltheirintellectualrevolutionsaresupermundanelyguideduponthatstraightandunswervingcourse.

Thefigureofthespiritualwheelscanalsohaveanothermysticalmeaning,fortheprophetsaysthatthenameGel,Gelisgiventothem,whichintheHebrewtonguemeansrevolutionsandrevelations.Forthedivinefierywheelstrulyrevolve,byreasonoftheirceaselessmovement,aroundthehighestGoodItself,andtheyaregrantedrevelationsbecausetothemtheholyhiddenMysteriesaremadeclear,andtheearthlyareliftedup,andthehighilluminationsarebroughtdownandimpartedtothelowestorders.

ThelastthingforustoexplainisthejoyattributedtotheCelestialOrders.Fortheyareutterlyaboveandbeyondourpassionatepleasures.ButtheyaresaidtorejoicewithGodoverthefindingofthatwhichwaslost,aswellbefitstheGodlikemildnessoftheirnature,andasbefitstheirbeneficentandboundlessjoyattheprovidentialsalvationofthosewhoareturnedtoGod,andthatineffableblissinwhichholymenhaveoftenparticipatedwhentheilluminationsofGodhavedivinelyvisitedthem.

Letthisbeasufficientaccountofthosesacredsymbolswhich,althoughitfallsfarshortoftheirfullinterpretation,willyet,Ithink,contributetopreventusfromlingeringbaselyinthefiguresandformsthemselves.

IfyoushouldpointoutthatwehavenotmentionedinorderalltheAngelicpowers,activitiesandimagesdescribedintheures,weshouldanswertrulythatwedonotpossessthesupermundaneknowledgeofsome,orratherthatwehaveneedofanotherto——

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guideustothelightandinstructus;butothershavebeenpassedoverforthesakeofproportion,asbeingparalleltowhathasbeengiven;andthehiddenMysterieswhichliebeyondourviewwehavehonouredbysilence.

NOTES

(1)-Achainlikewiseextendsfromonhigh,asfarastothelastofthings,secondarynaturesalwaysexpressingthepowersofthenaturespriortothem,progressionindeeddiminishingthesimilitude,butallthingsatthesametime,andevensuchasmostobscurelyparticipateofexistence,bearingasimilitudetothefirstcauses,andbeingco-passivewitheachotherandwiththeiroriginalcauses——Proclus,TbeologyofPlato,VI.4

(2)-Foreverythingwhichisconvertedhastenstobeconjoinedwithitscauseandaspiresaftercommunionwithit——PropositionXXXII.Proclus,MetaphysicalElements-

Thesouloughtfirsttoexamineitsownnature,toknowwhetherithasthefacultyofcontemplatingspiritualthings,andwhetherithasindeedaneyewherewithtoseethem,andifitoughttoembarkonthequest.Ifthespiritualisforeigntoit,whatistheuseoftrying?Butifthereisarelationshipbetweenusandit,webothcanandoughttofindit-Plotinus,Ennead,V.1-3

(3)-Theprogressionsofbeings,however,arecompletedthroughsimilitude.Buttheterminationsofthehigherordersareunitedtothebeginningsofsecondorders.Andoneseriesandindissoluble——

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orderextendsfromonhighthroughthesurpassinggoodnessoftheFirstCauseandHisunifiedPower.ForbecauseindeedHeisOneHeisthesupplierofunion;butbecauseHeistheGoodHeconstitutesthingssimilartoHimpriortosuchasaredissimilar.Andthusallthingsareincontinuitywitheachother.Forifthiscontinuitywerebrokentherewouldnotbeunion——Proclus,TbeologyofPlato,VI.11.

(4)-Everythingwhichproceedsinthedivineordersisnotnaturallyadaptedtoreceiveallthepowersofitsproducingcause.Notinshort,aresecondarynaturesabletoreceiveallthepowersofthenaturespriortothemselves,butthelatterhavecertainpowersexemptfromthingsinininferiororder,andincomprehensiblebythebeingsposteriortothemselves——PropositionCL.Proclus,MetaphysicalElements.

(5)-TherearenineOrdersofAngels,figuresofthenineArchetypesinGod;andeachoneobtainsanamecorrespondingtothepropertyinGodwhichitexhibits-Further,theCherubimarethose-whomaybecalledlovingWisdoms,asthosefirstmaybecalledwiseLoves.Forthereisineachbothloveandwisdom.Butinthefirst,inasmuchastheyarenearertoGod,theverySunofTruth,thisexistsinafargreaterdegreeSuchthenisthedifferencebetweentheseOrders:namely,thatinthelatterisknowledgeproceedingfromlove;intheformerisloveproceedingfromknowledge——Inthethirdrankarethosewho,fromtheirunity,simplicity,constancyandfirmness,aresometimescalledThrones,sometimesSeats;who-themselvesalsoarewiseandloving.Butfromtheirsimplicity,theyhavetheattributesofunity,power,strength,fortitude,steadfastness.WhichveryattributestheCherubimandSeraphimalsopossessSteadfastnesscomesfromsimplicity,simplicityfrompurification.Forwheneachobjectispurifiedbacktoitsown——

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simplenature,then,beinguncompounded,itremainsindissolublethroughitsunity.WhenceitisclearthatpurificationisassignedtotheThrones.Moreover,whenathingispurified,itisillumined,andafteritisillumined,itisperfected.ThislastofficeisgiventotheSeraphs,theothertotheCherubs.Amongthemall,ineverythreefoldmanncr,thereisastrivingwithalltheirmighttoimitateGod;whoisPurificationItself,theParentofunities;whoistheveryIlluminationofthoseunities;whoislastlytheveryPerfectionoftheilluminated.Powercleanses,cleartruthmakesserene,finishedlovemakesperfect——ThusdoesGodbeamforthwithfirmness,wisdomandloveintheThrones,CherubsandSeraphs,whichthreefoldsystemoftheDivineRaygoesforth,andcausesthatinthePowers,VirtuesandDominionsthereshouldbereflectedHisdivineandfirmPower,HiswiseVirtueandthemostlovingDominion;andthattheTrinityofGod,coequalinItself,shouldshinewithsoftenedlustre,fillingnowthesecondplaceunderthatfirstone——AmongalltheAngels,fromthehigheronesevendowntous,thereisamutualandalternateannouncementproceedingfromabove;astheyreceiveanddeliverinturnwhattheyannounceinamarvellousandmostbeautifulorder.SinceamongtheAngelsthemselvesthereisanorderofallordinancesafterthepatternoftheOrderofallButeveryannouncementisareceiving,informing,purifying,enlightening,perfectingandrepresentingoftheDivineTruth;theLightofwhichasitgoesforthinorderandshinesuponall,sodistinguishesandmarkseachobjectinawonderfulmanner,thateverythingshinesforthinitinitsownproperquality,andstandsoutandappearsinitsownnature,withitsindividualpowersandoffice,exhibitinginitsowndegreesomeperfectioninGod,inwhomallperfectionisinitshighest;nay,rather,whoisHimselftheproperPerfectionofeveryone,perfectingallthings,inwhomthereisnothingperfectbutHimself-JohnColet,Works,J.H.Lupton,ed.,(London:G.Bell,1869)——

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(6)-Forallthingsconcurwitheachotherthroughsimilitude,andcommunicatethepowerswhichtheypossess.Andfirstnatures,indeed,impartbyilluminationthegiftofthemselvestosecondarynatures,inunenvyingabundance.Buteffectsareestablishedintheircauses.Anindissolubleconnection,likewise,andcomnmunionofwholes,andacolligationofagentsandpatients,aresurveyedintheworld——Proclus,TbeologyofPlato,VI.4

(7)Thelionwassaidbytheancientstoerasehisfootprintswithhistail.