30. That This Rank of the Gift of Coun Sel May Be Possessed in the Highest Perfection ; and Concerning Four of Its Hindrances and Exterminations of the Same Number

BUT that anyone may possess this gift of Divine Counsel in the highest perfection, it is necessary that he should have obtained the likeness of God, and have been carried away through love, cleaving to the superessential being of God. Those who bend and project themselves into this supersubstantial essence await nothing save* fruition ; these self-same persons too, receive the simple light with immense joy in virtue of unity ; thus also, without any weariness, they are able to be carried away and absorbed into the simplicity of that very light, where then they determine to dwell in that most remote losing of self, nor thence ever to return. And here the most joy-giving Trinity together with all Its friends, wishes to repose in them. Thus indeed shall we, without any imperfection, hasten unto and stand before the supersubstantial essence of God ; and ever descending again to the lower regions, we shall arrange and guide the kingdom of the soul by means of the virtues into the likeness of God. But there are four certain things specially hindering fruition. Those in whom there is small desire and do not cleave firmly enough to the superessence of God, or are uncertainly balanced in the super-essence of God, whereby it happens that they neither will be illumined by the light of God, nor are touched by the boundless essence of God, but are at a stand-still, and continue in themselves. And because they fall from this light they are unable to desire eagerly and to hasten thither where they deeply lose themselves. But whilst they do not this, they are neither consumed nor absorbed by the source of happiness. Fin ally, there are four other things which spoil or even remove the virtues. Those who occupy themselves externally and seek their own praise and honour are farthest off from unity. Therefore they experience not the simple light of eternal wisdom in their wretched and desolate being ; nor indeed have they even risen again, but lie in a certain sloth and idleness, and seek repose in themselves and in creatures. For if they should desire to drive away all idleness, now in any c^se they would be able to strive and contend again, and to taste and perceive the touch of God, and to possess a blessed eternity.