05 Hermes.pdf

The Fifth Book That God is not Manifest and yet most Manifest. 1. This Discourse I will also make to thee, O Tat, that thou mayest not be ignorant of the more excellent Name of God. 2. But do thou contemplate in thy Mind, how that which to many seems hidden and unmanifest, may be most manifest unto thee. 3. For it were not all, if it were apparent, for whatsoever is apparent, is generated or made; for it was made manifest, but that which is not manifest is ever. 4. For it needeth not to be manifested, for it is always. 5. And he maketh all other things manifest, being unmanifest as being always, and making other things manifest, he is not made manifest. 6. Himself is not made, yet in fantasy he fantasieth all things, or in appearance he maketh them appear, for appearance is only of those things that are generated or made, for appearance is nothing but generation. 7. But he is that One, that is not made nor generated, is also unapparent and unmanifest. 8. But making all things appear, he appeareth in all and by all; but especially he is manifested to or in those things wherein himself listeth. 9. Thou therefore, O Tat, my Son, pray first to the Lord and Father, and to the Alone and to the One from whom is one to be merciful to thee, that thou mayest knowest and understand so great a God; and that he would shine one of his beams upon thee In thy understanding. 10. For only the Understanding sees that which is not manifest or apparent, as being itself not manifest or apparent; and if thou canst, O Tat, it will appear to the eyes of thy Mind. 11. For the Lord, void of envy, appeareth through the whole world. Thou mayest see the intelligence, and take it in thy hands, and contemplate the Image of God. 12. But if that which is in