birth
befalls
in
the
soul
exactly
as
it
does
in
eternity,
neither
more
nor
less,
for
it
is
the
same
birth
:
this
birth
befalls
in
the
ground
and
essence
of
the
soul.
Certain
questions
arise.
Granting
that
God
is
in
all
things
as
intelligence
(or
mind)
and
is
more
instinct
in
things
than
they
are
in
themselves
and
more
natural
;
and
granting
that
God
wherever
he
is
is
in
operation,
knowing
himself
and
speaking
his
Word,
then
mark
in
what
respects
the
soul
is
better
fitted
for
this
divine
operation
than
other
rational
creatures
God
exists
in.
God
is
in
all
things
as
being,
as
activity,
as
power.
But
he
is
procreative
in
the
soul
alone
for
though
every
creature
is
a
vestige
of
God,
the
soul
is
the
natural
image
of
God.
This
image
is
perfected
and
adorned
in
this
birth.
No
creature
but
the
soul
is
susceptible
to
this
birth,
this
act.
Such
perfection
as
enters
the
soul,
whether
it
be
divine
light,
grace
or
bliss,
must
needs
enter
the
soul
in
this
liirth
and
no
otherwise.
Do
but
foster
this
birth
in
thee
and
thou
shalt
experience
all
good
and
all
comfort,
all
happiness,
all
being
and
all
tnith.
\Vhat
comes
to
thee
therein
brings
thee
true
being
and
stability
and
whatsoever
thou
mayst
seek
or
grasp,
without
it,
perishes,
take
it
Iioav
thou
wilt.
This
alone
gives
life
;
all
else
eorru2)ts.
Moreover,
in
this
birth
thou
dost
j)articipate
in
the
divine
inllux
and
its
gifts.
This
is
not
received
by
creatures
wherein
God
\s
image
is
not
found
:
the
soul-
idea
belongs
to
the
eternal
birth
alone
and
this
happens
only
and
solely
in
the
soul,
begotten
of
the
Father
in
the
ground
and
innermost
recesses
of
the
soul
whercinto
never
image
shone
nor
soul-power
peeped.
Another
question
is
:
If
this
birth
befalls
in
the
ground
and
essence
of
the
soul,
then
it
happens
alike
in
sinner
and
in
saint,
so
what
use
or
good
is
it
to
me
?
The
ground
of
nature
is
the
same
in
both,
nay
even
in
hell
the
nobility
of
nature
persists
eternally.
—
It
is
characteristic
of
this
birth
that
it
always
comes
with
fresh
light.
It
always
brings
great
(mlightcnment
to
the
soul
because
it
is
the
nature
of
good
to
diffuse
itself.
In
this
birth
(iod
pours
into
the
soul
in
such
abundance
of
light,
the
ground
and
essence
of
the
soul
arc
so
Hooded
with
it,
that
it
nins
over
into
her
powers
and
into
the
outward
man
as
well.
Thus
it
befell
Paul
when
iqion
his
journey
God
touched
him
with
his
light
and
spake
to
him
:
the
reflection
of
this
light
showed
outwardly
so
that
his
companions
saw
it
surrounding
Paul
like
the
saints.
The
sujjerfluitv
of
light
in
the
ground
of
the
soul
wells
over
into
the
body
which
is
tilled
with
radiance.
No
sinner
can
receive
this
light
nor
is
he
worthy
to,
being
full
of
sin
and
wickedness,
or
darkness.
As
he
(John)
says,
‘
The
darkness
neither
receives
nor
comprehends
the
light.’
Because
the
