whence by its power it passes into action. In their metaphysics it is also settled, that the furthermost stretch and connection of beings, and the utmost term of completion, consist in this, that knowledge, may become manifest in the whole by generalities and particularities, so that nothing may remain deficient in any degree of power. Whenever this matter is settled, then the moon in their language signifies a mixed light, with this property, that it brings into action all the knowledge hidden in its efficacy, and by means of the reflection of rays elicits perfection. Whoever is well founded in these notions acquires the faculty that all sciences, whatsoever they may be, come forth from him. It is then the moon which signifies mixed light, and the rending asunder of it means the arising of sciences and excellence, and their manifestation; that is, bringing forth all that is within, by means of breaking its exterior form. As to fixing the seal of the prophetic office, and to completing the apostleship, so that after the prophet of Arabia no other may appear, they said what follows: The seal of the prophetic office means the acquisition of _âkl fâal_, “superior wisdom;” that is: whoever obtains it, and makes the proper use of it, possesses the seal of the prophetic office: because the first prophetic dignity is his intelligence, which is the _real (intrinsic) Adam_, “man.” The prophetic seal is the tenth rank of intelligences,[147] and that which is reared up by superior wisdom renders the prophet’s knowledge vain, and takes his color: that is to say, if one hundred thousand prophets like himself realise in themselves the person of superior wisdom, they are possessors of the seal, the last prophets, because it is superior wisdom, which is the seal, and they know themselves to be _mahu_, “effaced,” and superior wisdom to be existing. But the Ashrákían say, that the first prophet is the majesty of the _cherubic light_, that is the first intelligence, and _the possessor of the prophetic seal_ is the Lord God of the human race, that is, the intelligence which legislates the human race. Further, whoever found grace with the Lord of mankind, and became his near attendant, his _Káim makám_, “vice-regent,” although the authority of such a person be vain by itself _as delegate_, yet he, too, is called _the possessor of the prophetic seal_ (the last prophet): so, as Azizi said: “From head to foot, my person became my friend: hence, if I wish To see the friend, I place the mirror before me.” Kásam Khan said: “I will in such a manner make myself one with thee, that if one day Thou seekest thyself, thou mayest find me within thy tunic.”