The Mystical Hymns of Orpheus - Platonic Philosophy

INTRODUCTION. xxiii
causally permanent being. But in the next
place, that which is both intelligible and intellectual
succeeds, which must likewise be
triple, but must principally subsist according
to lfe, or intelligence. And in the third place
the intellectual order must succeed, which is
triply convertive. But as in consequence of
the existence of the sensible world, it is
necessary that there should be some demiurgic
cause of its existence, this cause can
only be found in intellect, and in the last
hypostasis of the intellectual triad. For all
forms in this hypostasis subsist according
to all-various and perfect divisions ; and
forms can only fabricate when they have
a perfect intellectual separation from each
other. But since fabrication is nothing more
than procession, the Demiurgus will be to the
posterior orders of Gods what the one is to
the orders prior to the Demiurgu~ and consequently
he will be that secondarily which
the first cause of all is primarily. Hence his
first production will be an order of Gods .
analogous to the intelligible order, and which
is denominated supermundane. After this he
must produce an order of Gods similar to
the intelligible and intelkctuaZ order, and which
are denominated liberated Gods. And in the