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;secondlywemustcelebratetheCelestialHierarchiesastheyarerevealedintheScriptures;andfinallywemustsayunderwhatholyfiguresthedescriptionsinthesacredwritingsportraythoseCelestialOrders,andtowhatkindofpurityweoughttobeguidedthroughthoseformslestwe,likethemany,shouldimpiouslysupposethatthoseCelestialandDivineIntelligencesaremany-footedormany-facedbeings,orformedwiththebrutishnessofoxen,orthesavagenessoflions,orthecurvedbeaksofeagles,orthefeathersofbirds,orshouldimaginethattheyaresomekindoffierywheelsabovetheheavens,ormaterialthronesuponwhichtheSupremeDeitymayrecline,ormany-colouredhorses,orcommandersofarm-ies,orwhateverelseofsymbolicdescriptionhasbeengiventousinthevarioussacredimagesoftheScriptures——

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    Theology,initssacredutterancesconcerningtheformlessIntelligences,doesindeedusepoeticsymbolism,havingregardtoourintelligence,ashasbeensaid,andprovidingameansofascentfittingandnaturaltoitbyframingthesacredScripturesinamannerdesignedforourupliftment.

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

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

    AngelWithMoon,from12thc.Greekms——

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

    Again,ifanyonecondemnstheserepresentationsasincongruous,suggestingthatitisdisgracefultofashionsuchbaseimagesofthedivineandmostholyOrders,itissufficienttoanswerthatthemostholyMysteriesaresetforthintwomodes:one,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,thenegationsinthedescriptionsoftheDivinearetrue,andtheaffirmationsareinconsistentwithIt,theexpositionofthehiddenMysteriesbytheuseofunlikesymbolsaccordsmorecloselywithThatwhichisineffable.

    Accordinglythismodeofdescriptionintheholywritingshonours,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.

    LetthesethingssufficetouchingthecorporealandinharmoniousformsusedforthedelineationofAngelsinthesacredScriptures.WemustproceedtothedefinitionofourconceptionoftheHierarchyitself,andoftheblessingswhichareenjoyedbythosewhoparticipateinit.ButletourleaderinthediscoursebemyChrist(ifthusIdarenameHim)whoinspiresallhierarchicalrevelation.Anddothou,myson,listen,accordingtothelawofourhierarchicaltradition,withmeetreverencetothatwhichisreverentlysetforth,becomingthroughinstructioninspiredbytherevelations;and,treasuringdeepinthesoultheholyMysteries,preservethemintheirunityfromtheunpurifiedmultitude:for,astheScripturesdeclare,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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    theScripturessay,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,intentlygazingwithsupermundanesightupontheholyimageryofitintheScriptures,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(asitiswrittenintheScriptures)wasgiventousbyAngelsand,bothbeforeandafterthedaysoftheLaw,AngelsguidedourillustriousforefatherstoGod,eitherbydeclaringtothemwhattheyshoulddoandleadingthemfromerrorandanevillifetothestraightpathoftruth,orbymakingknowntothemtheDivineLaw,orinthemannerofinterpreters,byshowingtothemholyHierarchies,orsecretvisionsofsupermundaneMysteries,orcertaindivineprophecies.

    Now,ifanyoneshouldsaythatGodhasshownHimselfwithoutintermediarytocertainholymen,lethimknowbeyonddoubt,

    AnotherimageofArchangels——

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

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

    BysuchdivinevisionsourvenerableforefatherswereinstructedthroughthemediationoftheCelestialPowers.IsitnottoldintheholyScripturesthatthesacredLawwasgiventoMosesbyGodHimselfinordertoteachusthatinitismirroredthedivineandholyLaw?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.

    LetusnowmountupwardtothatmostsublimeofallLightscelebratedintheScriptures: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,isthereasonforthenameAngelintheScriptures.NowIthinkweshouldinvestigatethereasonwhytheologiansgivethegeneralnameAngelstoalltheCelestialBeings,butwhenexplainingthecharacteristicsofthesupermundaneOrderstheyspecificallygivethenameAngeltothosewhocompleteandconcludetheDivineCelestialHierarchies.AbovethesetheyplacethechoirsofArchangels,Principalities,Powers,Virtues,andthoseotherbeingswhoareacknowledgedbythetraditionalscripturalteachingstobeofhigherrank.

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

    Andthisalsomaybeadded,thatallcanrightlybecalledAngelsinrespectoftheirparticipationintheDivineLikenessandIlluminationbothinthehigherandlowerranks.

    Butnowletusproceedfurtherintodetail,andwithsinglenessof——

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    mindexaminetheparticularsacredcharacteristicsofeachoftheCelestialOrderswhicharesetforthforusintheScriptures.

    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,andastheirHierarchyisrevealedintheScriptures——

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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-variouscontemplationssetforthintheScriptures,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,astheScripturessay,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,andonthisaccounttheScripturessaythatthemostdivineSeraphimcryonetoanother,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.

    ThosewhoearnestlystudytheholyScripturessometimesask,-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.

    ThereforeIdonotthinkitunreasonablethattheScripturesshouldcallourhierarchsAngels,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——

    183-

    Seraphissaidtohavebeensenttooneoftheprophets.Forsomeonemayfeeldoubtoruncertaintyastowhyoneofthebeingsofthehighestrankismentionedascleansingtheprophet,insteadofoneofthelowerranksofAngels.

    Some,indeed,saythataccordingtothedescriptionalreadygivenoftheinter-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,——

    184-

    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——

    186-

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

    Theprophet,therefore,learnedfromthesevisionsthat,accordingtoeverysuperessentialexcellence,thedivineOnesubsistsinincomparablepre-eminence,excellingallvisibleandinvisiblepowers,aboveandexemptfromall;andthatHebearsnolikenesseventothosefirst-subsistingBeings;andmoreoverthatHeisthePrincipleandCauseofallbeing,andtheImmutableFoundationoftheabidingstabilityofthingsthatare,fromwhichthemostexaltedPowershaveboththeirbeingandtheirwell-being.ThenhewasinstructedthattheDivinePowersoftheholyScriptures,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——

    188-

    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,thatthescripturaltraditionrespectingtheAngelsgivestheirnumberasthousandsofthousandsandtenthousandtimestenthousand,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?——

    190-

    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,wemayreasonablysaythattheScriptureinitssacredsymbolicpresentationsometimesrightlyandtrulyassignsthesamepowerstothefirst,middleandlastranks.

    Whereforetheeagerupwardtendingtothoseabovethem,andtheconstancyoftheirrevolutionaroundthem,beingguardiansoftheirownpowers,andtheirparticipationintheprovidentialpowerof——

    191-

    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——

    192-

    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-

    193-

    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——

    194-

    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——

    195-

    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-TheScripturesalsodepictthemasacloud,showingbythisthattheseholyIntelligencesarefilledinasupermundanemannerwiththehiddenLight,receivingthatfirstrevelationwithoutundueglorying,andtransmittingitwithabundantbrightnesstothelowerOrdersasasecondary,proportionateillumination;andfurther,thatthey,possessgenerating,lifegiving,increasingandperfectingpowersbyreasonoftheirintelligibleoutpourings,asofshowersquickeningthereceptivewombofearthbyfertilizingrainsforlife-givingtravail——

    196-

    TheScripturesalsolikentheCelestialBeingstobrassandelectron,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——

    197-

    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——

    198-

    turningbackorgoingaside,denotethepoweroftheirprogressiveenergyonastraightanddirectpathinwhichalltheirintellectualrevolutionsaresupermundanelyguideduponthatstraightandunswervingcourse.

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

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

    Letthisbeasufficientaccountofthosesacredsymbolswhich,althoughitfallsfarshortoftheirfullinterpretation,willyet,Ithink,contributetopreventusfromlingeringbaselyinthefiguresandformsthemselves.

    IfyoushouldpointoutthatwehavenotmentionedinorderalltheAngelicpowers,activitiesandimagesdescribedinthescriptures,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.