centre is fire, which cannot subsist without sub-
stance ; therefore its hunger and desire is after
substance.
28. And in regard to the first principle, if we
speak only of one (though it is not single and soli-
tary), we are to understand that the unfathomable
will in the centre of the unground, in which the
eternal Word is continually generated from eternity,
is desirous ; for the will desires the centre, viz. the
word or heart.
29. Secondly, it desires that the heart should be
manifest. For in the unground there is no mani-
festation, but an eternal nothingness ; a stillness
without being or colours, neither any virtue—
(but in Desire colours, power and virtue ceme to
be)—and is thus hidden in itself, and were eternally
not manifest; for there would be no light, splendour
or majesty, but a threefold spirit in itself9 which
were without source (Qual) of any being.
30. And thus we are to understand the essence of
the deepest Deity, without and beyond Nature.
31. Further, we are to understand that the
eternal will of the Deity desires to manifest itself
from its own ground in the light of Majesty, where-
by we apprehend the first will of the Father to the
Son and to the light of Majesty to be desirous.
And that in two ways : The first way to the centre
of the Word; the second to Light or manifestation
of the Word. And we find that every desire is
attrahent, though in the unground there is nothing
that can be drawn; hence the desire draws itself,
and impregnates the other will of the Father,