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his rational soul borrows as much as possible from
the heavenly spirit, in the same manner as a polished
mirror receives the image from a painted surface.
Whatever comes forth from the rational soul in the
way of generality, of that the rational soul gives an
account by means of images in the way of particu-
larity, and brings it home to common sense by way
of allegories. And when comprehended by common
sense, it becomes evident, and there is no difference
between what comes to common sense from the
exterior or from the interior ; on which very ac-
count some have entitled it the common sense, as
being sensible from both sides. Further, he whose
constitution is better tempered, and whose power
of imagination and common sense is brighter, he,
after being freed from worldly dependencies, will
possess a righter fore-knowledge, such as that in
sleep: for sleep also is suitable to prescience, and
the revelation of some prophets was received during
sleep.

UPON THE MEANING OF REVELATION AND INSPIRATION.

Some of the novices who feel themselves in this

state, comprehend at once something which they
did not understand before; they suppose they are