difficulties and afflictions of these Countenances in executing the laws of God in face of all in the earth, without a worldly helper or assister. Notwithstanding the persecutions inflicted upon these pure, high and blessed Beings, they endure with the utmost power and suffer with infinite strength.
In like manner understand the meaning of the "changing of the earth." Upon whatever hearts the clouds of mercy of that Heaven poured down the shower of beneficence, the earth of those hearts was changed into the earth of Knowledge and Wisdom. What Myrtles of Unity have grown in the gardens of these hearts and what Anemones of Realities of Knowledge and Wisdom bloom from these shining breasts! If the earth of these hearts is not changed, how is it that men not instructed in one letter, without seeing a teacher or entering a school, speak words and knowledges which no one can apprehend? They seem to have been moulded from the clay of Eternal Knowledge and kneaded with the water of Intuitive Wisdom. Therefore it is said, "Knowledge is a light which God sheds in whatsoever heart He willeth." It is this kind of Knowledge which is praiseworthy; not the limited learnings produced by veiled and obscured imaginations, which men often steal from each other, then glory over their fellow-creatures.
O that the breasts of the servants might be purified and sanctified from the traces of these limitations and dark words, that they may perchance attain to the
