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"Know that there are two kinds of knowledge: the knowledge of the essence of a thing (its 'reality'?), and the knowledge of its qualities. The essence of a thing is known through its qualities, otherwise it is unknown and hidden... Our knowledge of things, even of created and limited things, is knowledge of their qualities and not of their essence... The substance of the essence of man is unknown and not evident, but by its qualities it is characterized and known... then... as things can only be known by their qualities and not by their essence, it is certain that the Divine Reality is unknown with regard to its essence, and is known with regard to its attributes. Besides, how can the phenomenal reality embrace the Pre- existent Reality? For comprehension is the result of encompassing... and the Essence of the Unity surrounds all, and is not surrounded." (Bwf 321- 2) (3:1) "Know verily that knowledge is of two kinds: Divine and Satanic. The one welleth out from the fountain of divine inspiration; the other is but a reflection of vain and obscure thoughts. The source of the former is God Himself; the motive- force of the latter the whisperings of selfish desire." (Iqan 69) (3:2) "The universal mind which is beyond nature, is the bounty of the Pre- existent Power. This universal mind is divine; it embraces existing realities, and it receives the light of the mysteries of God. It is a conscious power, not a power of investigation and of research. The intellectual power of the world of nature is a power of investigation, and by its researches it discovers the realities of beings, and the properties of existences; but the heavenly intellectual power which is beyond nature, embraces things and is cognizant of things, knows them, understands them, is aware of mysteries, realities and divine significations, and is the discoverer of the concealed verities of the kingdom. This divine intellectual power is the special attribute of the Holy Manifestations and the Dawning- places of prophethood; a ray of this light falls upon the mirrors of the hearts of the righteous, and a portion and share of this power comes to them through the Holy Manifestations." (Saq 253) (3:3) "No vision taketh in Him, but He taketh in all vision." (Iqan 170) (3:4) "All that the sages and mystics have said or written have never exceeded, nor can they ever hope to exceed, the limitations to which man's finite mind hath been strictly subjected... The meditations of the profoundest thinker... are but a reflection of that which hath been created within themselves, through the Revelation of the Lord, their God. Whoever pondereth this truth in his heart will readily admit that there are certain limits which no human being can possibly transgress." (Gl 317- 18) (3:5) "The human spirit which distinguishes man from animal is the rational soul; and these two names-- the human spirit and the rational soul-- designate one thing... The rational soul... discovers the realities of things... but the human spirit does not become acquainted with the divine secrets and heavenly realities... unless assisted by the spirit of faith." (Bwf 317)
(3:6)
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