Y has the essence of the Divine Nature in itself; not that the Divine
Nature can be divided and communicated to these, but participated in by
these, almost in the same way that the other stars participate in the
nature of the Sun. And the nobler the form, the more does it retain of
that Divine Nature. Wherefore the human Soul, which is the noblest form
of all those which are generated under Heaven, receives more from the
Divine Nature than any other. And since it is most natural to wish to be
in God, for as in the book quoted above one reads, the first thing is to
exist, and before that there is nothing, the human Soul desires to exist
naturally with all possible desire. And since its existence depends upon
God, and is preserved by Him, it naturally desires and longs to be
united to God, and so add strength to its own being. And since, in the
goodness of Human Nature, Reason gives us proof of the Divine, it
follows that, naturally, the Human Soul is united therewith by the path
of the spirit so much the sooner, and so much the more firmly, in
proportion as those good qualities appear more perfect; which appearance
of perfection is achieved according as the power of the Soul to produce
a good impression is strong and clear, or is trammelled and obscure. And
this union is that which we call Love, whereby it is possible to know
that which is within the Soul, by looking at those whom it loves in the
world without. This Love, which is the union of my Soul with that gentle
Lady in whom so much of the Divine Light was revealed to me, is that
speaker of whom I speak; since from him continuous thoughts were born,
whilst gazing at and considering the wondrous power of this Lady who was
spiritually made one with my Soul. The place in which I say that he thus
speaks is the Mind. But in saying that it is the Mind, one does not
attach more meaning to this than before; and therefore it is to be seen
what this Mind properly signifies. I say, then, that the Philosopher, in
the second book on the Soul, when speaking of its powers, says that the
Soul principally has three powers, which are, to Live, to Feel, and to
Reason: and he says also to Move, but it is possible to make this
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