Chapter XI
THE MYSTICAL ARK
without doubt the kingdom of heaven is within us, if it can be found within us, where, I ask, other than in this highest of heavens, is it sought more rightly, found more quickly and possessed more securely? I think that all the regions of that kingdom abound in gold because the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field.
For if you seek and love the gold of knowledge and the treasure of wisdom where, I ask, will you be able to find more abundant riches than in this highest of heavens? Where, I beg you, will the brightness of the highest wisdom be able to shine forth better for you, other than in the express image of that One and in His most excellent work, namely in the creation, restoration and glorification of the soul? Surely from this watchtower, from a nearby point as it were, he is able and is accustomed to see what that loftiness of the angelic spirit is, what that supereminent magnitude of the divine
Spirit is. In no place is it seen more nearly, is it discerned more clearly, than from the summit of this lofty seat which is that highest and sempiternal beatitude of supernal citizens.
In no place other than from this most excellent of the heavens does that spirit who examines thoroughly all things, even the depths of God, contemplate more serenely those invisible things of God which are perceived by the intellect through those things which have been made. Nowhere in all His works, other than in the creation, restoration and glorification of the soul, does His power appear more sublime. His wisdom more marvelous, His mercy more delightful.
I think you surely see from whence comes to you that abundance of gold that I promised to you earlier; namely how from much consideration and knowledge of your spirit you will be raised up to the knowledge and contemplation of the angelic spirit and the divine Spirit.
Chapter XI The triple distinction of the fourth speculation But, since we already know through exposition from whence we abound with gold for such and so great a work, let us see what the Lord commands concerning the length and width of our propitiatory and why he is completely silent concerning its height.
RICHARD OF ST. VICTOR
we reflect on the nature of things, we shall be able to learn with regard to bodies themselves how we ought to proceed with an investigation into spiritual contemplations. We see in exterior things that every bodily thickness begins with length, increases with width, and ends with height. And so, the length of the propitiatory, if I am not mistaken, indicates those things which are in spiritual nature at the beginning; the width indicates those things which are for advancement; and the height indicates those things which seem to be for consummation.
According to these three things we have mentioned we make a triple distinction of divine gifts in spiritual essences.
First, the spiritual nature is created in order that it may exist. Second, it is made just so that it is good.
Third, it is glorified so that it is blessed. And so by creation it starts toward good; by being made just it is enlarged in good; by glorification it is consummated in good. The goods of creation are for the beginning; the goods of justification are for advancement; the goods of glorification are for consummation. The first goods are gifts of the Creator; the second goods are both gifts of the Creator and merits of the creature; the third goods are gifts of the Creator and rewards of the creature, the consummation of gifts and the recompense of merits. And so, the first goods pertain to the length; the second, to the width; the last to the height. For in the first, as has been said, the rational creature starts toward the perfection of future fullness. On account of the second, it makes progress, increases and is enlarged. In the last it is raised to glory and is consummated in glory.
Chapter XH Concerning the subdivision of the first stage of this contemplation Therefore first let us see concerning the length of our propitiatory, which we are commanded to extend to two and one-half cubits. As often as we consider in the heart, investigate carefully, distinguish suitably and discuss sufficiently those spiritual goods of our creation which we have designated above, so often do we draw out the work of our propitiatory in length and extend it to a certain