‘¢ O grace abundant, by which I presumed To fix my sight upon the Light Eternal, So that the seeing I consumed therein ! I saw that in its depth far down is lying Bound up with love together in one volume, What through the universe in leaves is scattered; Substance, and accident, and their operations, All interfused together in such wise That what I speak of is one simple light.” ‘¢ Paradiso,” xxxiii., 82-90.
“In presence of that light one such becomes, That to withdraw therefrom for other prospect It is impossible he e’er consent ; Because the good, which object is of will, Is gathered all in this, and out of it That is defective which is perfect there.” ‘ Paradiso,” xxxiii., 100-105.
“<Q Light eterne, sole in thyself that dwellest, Sole knowest thyself, and, known unto thyself And knowing, lovest and smilest on thyself!” ‘¢ Paradiso,” xxxiii., 124-126.
Light enkindles love.
‘¢ Tf in the heat of love I flame npon thee Beyond the measure that on earth is seen, So that the valor of thine eyes I vanquish, Marvel thou not thereat; for this proceeds From perfect sight, which, as it apprehends, To the good apprehended moves its feet. Well I perceive how is already shining Into thine intellect the eternal Light, That only seen enkindles always love.” ‘¢ Paradiso,” v., 1-9.
See also “ Paradiso,” cantos xxx., XXX1.
In Him is no darkness at all («al oxotia ov« éotw ev avTa ovdeuia). It is characteristic of John to express the same idea positively and negatively. See John i. 7, 8, 20; iii. 15, 17, 20; iv. 42; v. 243 viii. 85; x. 28; 1 Johni. 6, 8; ii. 4, 27; v. 12. According to the Greek order, the rendering is: “ And dark- ness there is not in Him, no, not in any way.” For a similar addition of odSels not one, to a complete sentence, see John vi. 63; xii. 19; xix. 11. On oxotia darkness, see on John i. 5.
6. If we say (éav elrwpev). The subjunctive mood puts the case as supposed, not as asswmed.
Walk in the darkness. The phrase occurs only in John’s Gospel and First Epistle. Darkness here is cxotos, instead of oxotla (ver. 5). See on John i. 5. Walk (epitrarapey), is, literally, walk about ; indicating the habitual course of the life,