Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae by Heinrich Khunrath
The SOUL, free from the mass of blameworthy cares, sober and sound in a healthy body, Mistress of [her] vices and Ruler of [her] affections, in control of herself and having Theosophically acquired a complete knowledge of herself, justly undertakes to understand and explain the secrets of the whole created Universe (because she is a particle of the DIVINE breath of the CREATOR of the Universe), to be united with good Spirits; to recount things past, contemplate Present Events, [and] presage those to come; and ultimately to Divinely represent the father and the mysteries of the father (with the father's illumination), as if in a mirror. Summary: Our penitently washed and purified Mind joined with the SPIRIT OF GOD'S WISDOM, TheoSophically raised up with wings, and sublimated, by the fire of Divine love, to the αγιαστήριον [Hagiasterion] that is, the Sanctuary of good Spirits, or of GOD'S Angels, (which can be done by a man, as much waking as sleeping), receiving them Cabalistically, experiences Spiritual things, contemplates supercelestial things, [and] sees many Physical things, from and in hyperphysical things (not only through themselves but also with the senses and intermediary sensible things).
Moreover, her inferior powers being asleep and absorbed, that is, in ecstasy, or rapture or caught up into highest GOD, she experiences the highest, that is, Divine things; she sees and ineffably grasps ALL THINGS.
It has been pleasing to add here the introduction of Hermes Trismegistus (who was inspired by the Divine Spirit) to the Pimander on account of the excellence of its Doctrine:
As, he says, I was thinking about the Nature of things, and was directing the acuity of my Mind towards higher things, the bodily senses already being dormant as is wont to happen to those who from excess of food or fatigue are plunged into sleep, suddenly there seemed to appear to me some being with a body of immense size who, calling me by my name, cried out in this way:
'What is it, Oh Mercury, that you wish to learn and understand?
I am Pimander, Mind of Divine Power;
see what you want;
for I will be with you everywhere.
And I [said],
I wish to learn the nature of things. and to know GOD.
To this Pimander [replied], embrace me with your Mind,
and I shall teach you in all the things that you choose.
'When he had said this, he changed form,
and suddenly revealed the universality of things.
Holy Cyprian, Epistles, Book 9, Letter 9 says, I remember what has been shown to me, and that the LORD deigned to reveal [them1 to me among [all] the rest, nor must they be taken as ridiculous and inept visions. as when Joseph's brothers said about him: Behold, the dreamer cometh. So says Cyprian.
And this judgement of the brothers about their brother? Enough scoffing! No wonder [then], if [my] worldly brothers absurdly bring this same judgement against me. Whatever may be the case, it nevertheless remains certain that those to whom Goo reveals [things] (whether indirectly or directly), must not be taken for idle dreamers. Cicero [says], There is something in us which presages and Divines.
What is it? The Mind, presaging of good or ill. I have set aside more examples, as much from our time, as from antiquity, for a more suitable place; for which we have, with very extensive gathering, studiously reserved many things. In place of a colophon, I add this [verse] from Julius Cesar Scaliger's books of Epidorpides, on the truth of dreams:
He who denies true dreams, speaks in a dream,
For we have not once but most frequently observed,
That it is a very rare night that passes without [dream]-perception.
Most versed in the truth, I have adduced these things, not for my sake, but for the Thomists. Oh what is happier than he who is free of all cares!
Text from the book : Ora et Labora Vol. 2 By Peter Forshaw