Three Principles of the Divine Essence Chap. 8-16 - meuser
Three Principles of the Divine Essence Chap. 8-16 - meuser
Three Principles of the Divine Essence Chap. 8-16 - meuser
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continues eternally.<br />
46. Therefore seek for <strong>the</strong> noble Pearl; it is much more<br />
precious than this [whole] World; it will never more depart<br />
from you: And where <strong>the</strong> Pearl is, <strong>the</strong>re will your Heart be<br />
also: You need not here ask any fur<strong>the</strong>r after Paradise, Joy,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> heavenly Delightfulness; seek but <strong>the</strong> Pearl, and when<br />
you find that, <strong>the</strong>n you find Paradise, and <strong>the</strong> Kingdom <strong>of</strong><br />
Heaven, and you will be so taught, as being without it you<br />
cannot believe.<br />
47. It may be, you will trouble yourself [with hard Labour,]<br />
and seek for it in Art, supposing to find h it <strong>the</strong>re: O no you<br />
need not; it lies not <strong>the</strong>rein. The Doctor that is without this<br />
Way knows it not. But if he also has found this Pearl, <strong>the</strong>n he<br />
is a i Person greater for <strong>the</strong> public Benefit than I; as St. Paul<br />
was above <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r Apostles, yet in one [and <strong>the</strong> same] Way<br />
<strong>of</strong> gentle Meekness, as becomes <strong>the</strong> Children <strong>of</strong> God. Whatsoever<br />
is wanting here that you long after, seek fur<strong>the</strong>r, and<br />
you will find <strong>the</strong> Ground, according to <strong>the</strong> Desire [or Longing]<br />
<strong>of</strong> your Soul.<br />
f Mocking that which you understand not.<br />
g Or Fruit or Growth.<br />
h This deep and high Wisdom.<br />
i Or a more public Person, or Publicus.<br />
The Tenth <strong>Chap</strong>ter.<br />
Of <strong>the</strong> Creation <strong>of</strong> Man, and <strong>of</strong> his Soul, also <strong>of</strong> God’s<br />
k breathing in.<br />
The pleasant Gate.<br />
I HAVE perused many MasterPieces <strong>of</strong> Writing,<br />
hoping to find <strong>the</strong> l Pearl <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ground <strong>of</strong> Man; but<br />
I could find nothing <strong>of</strong> that which my Soul lusted<br />
after. I have also found very many contrary Opinions.<br />
And partly I have found some who forbid me<br />
to search, [or seek,] but I cannot know with what Ground or<br />
Understanding, except it be that <strong>the</strong> Blind grudge at <strong>the</strong> Eyes<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m that see. With all this my Soul is become very disquiet<br />
within, and has been as full <strong>of</strong> [Pain and] Anguish as a Woman<br />
at her Travail, and yet nothing was found in it, till I followed<br />
<strong>the</strong> Words <strong>of</strong> Christ, when he said; You must be born anew, if<br />
you will see <strong>the</strong> Kingdom <strong>of</strong> God: Which at first stopped up my<br />
Heart, and I supposed that such a Thing could not be done in<br />
this World, but [that it should first be done] at my Departure<br />
out <strong>of</strong> this World. And <strong>the</strong>n my Soul first was in Anguish to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Birth, and would very willingly have tasted <strong>the</strong> Pearl; and