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Nº. XXIII
CONCERNING REGENERATION (1)
THE difference between the “Son of God” and the
mere prophet is that the former is born regenerate, and is therefore said to be
“born of a virgin.” (2)
But regeneration is a union of the soul and spirit, and is not a process in
which the body bears a part. In the “Baptism” Jesus received the, Æon, or “Dove,” and was filled with the Holy Ghost, becoming
a Medium for the Highest. The Christ is informed from within, and “needeth
not that any man should tell him; for he knows what is in man.” But the adept
receives from without, and is instructed by others.
The adept, or “occultist,” is at best
a religious scientist; he is not a “saint.” If occultism were all, and held the
key of heaven, there would be no need of “Christ.” But occultism, although it
holds the “power,” holds neither the “kingdom” nor the “glory.” For these are of Christ. The adept knows not the kingdom of
heaven, and “the least in this kingdom are greater than he.” “Desire first the
to man, I would have committed no message to you.
But the two are not in opposition. All things are yours, even the kingdom and
the power, but the glory is to God. Do not be ignorant of their teaching, for I
would have you know all. Take, therefore, every means to know. This knowledge is
of man, and cometh from the mind. Go, therefore, to man to learn it. “If you
will be perfect, learn also of these.” “Yet the wisdom which is from
above, is above all.” For one man may begin from within, that is, with wisdom, and wisdom
is one with love. Blessed is the man who chooseth
wisdom, for she leaveneth all things. And another man
may begin from without, and that which is without is power. To such there shall
be a thorn in the flesh. (1) For it is hard in such
case to attain to the within. But if a man be first wise inwardly, he shall the
more easily have this also added unto him. For he is born
again and is free. Whereas at a great price must the adept buy freedom.
Nevertheless, I bid you seek; and in this also you shall find. But I have shown
you a more excellent way than theirs. Yet both Ishmael and Isaac are sons of one
father, and of all her children is Wisdom justified. So neither are they wrong, nor are you led astray. The goal is the same;
but their way is harder than yours. They take the kingdom by violence, if they
take it, and by much toil and agony of the flesh. But from the time of Christ
within you, the kingdom is open to the sons of God. Receive what you can
receive; I would have you know all things. And if you have served seven years
for wisdom, count it not loss to serve seven years for power also. For if Rachel bear the best beloved, Leah hath many sons, and is
exceeding fruitful. But her eye is not single; she
looketh
two ways, and seeketh not that which is above only.
But to you Rachel is given first, and perchance her beauty may suffice. I say
not, let it suffice; it is better to know all things, for if you know not all,
how can you judge all? For as a man heareth, so must
he judge. Will you therefore be regenerate in the without, as well as in the
within? For they are renewed in the body, but you in the soul.
It is well to be baptized into John’s baptism, if a man receive also the Holy Ghost. But some know not so much
as that there is any Holy Ghost. Yet Jesus also, being himself regenerate in the
spirit, sought unto the baptism of John, for thus it became him to fulfil
himself in all things. And having fulfilled, behold, the “Dove” descended on
him. If then you will be perfect, seek
both that which is within and that which is without;
and the circle of being, which is the “wheel of life,” shall be complete in you. (1)
Footnotes
(63:1)
(63:2) I.e. his own soul purified
from taint of materiality – the soul being always the “mother” of the mystic or
interior man. See “Definitions” in Appendix.
E.M.
(63:3) A term which signifies forethought. The remonstrance is against undue
anxiety and alarm on the soul’s behalf while in the path of duty, as implying
distrust of the divine sufficiency. See Appendix, note J. E.M.
(64:1) I.e.
the flesh itself is their thorn. E.M.
(65:1) The above
interpretation concerning Rachel and Leah, as we subsequently ascertained, is on
the lines of the Kabala. E.M.
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