These three ideas of the Eternal are all equivalent to each other, are
the same primary act, each of them being whole and undivided, but each
otherwise posited. The positing primary act is the whole Eternal; the
posited is likewise the whole Eternal, and that which is subtractive,
retrogressive, combining the two first, is also the whole Eternal.
Although all three ideas are equivalent to each other, still the
positing idea ranks first, the posited second, and the combining third;
not as if they had first arisen successively (this is impossible, for
they are coexistent, namely, before all time), nor as if they occupied
different positions (for they are everywhere); but only according to
their order and value. How one may be three and three one, is thus
rendered comprehensible only by mathematics.
68. The first idea is the original, that therefore which is thoroughly
independent, which having arisen from and being based upon itself,
has consequently emerged from nothing else; in short, it is the
eternal idea, like the mathematical 0 = _Monas aoristos_. Everything
is possible with it; it can propose and solve all problems, knows
therefore everything and creates everything. It is the generative,
creative and paternal idea.
69. The two other ideas have emerged out of the first, although
apparently equivalent to it; yea, they have themselves issued out
of themselves. The second idea is, therefore, _Dyas aoristos_, and
corresponds to the mathematical +; the third idea is the _Trias
aoristos_, and corresponds to the mathematical-, so that by the three
the primary trinity 0 +-is completed. The first idea labours or, what
is more, rejoices from all eternity to convert itself into the two
others. The action or the life of God consists in eternally manifesting
itself, eternally contemplating itself in unity and duality, eternally
dividing itself and still remaining one. The second idea has issued
next from the first, and is therefore related to it as Son is to
Father, when the ideas are viewed as personified. The third idea has
emerged conjointly from the second and first, and forms therefore the
spiritual union, the mutual love between both. It may be therefore
simply called Ghost or Spirit, if it is thought of as personified.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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