The Book of the Dove

and, because it was well nigh worn out, bound together in the year 1580 of the Greeks, A. D. 1268.

Now this Book of Hierotheos has been set into a clear light by the researches of Frothingham; and Merx has shown how great its influence has been on Oriental mysticism 1) Idee und Grundlinien einer allgemeinen Geschichte der Mystik (Heidelberg, 1893).. Bar Hebraeus' acquaintance with it dates from 1268 and this may have been the year, in which his thoughts were directed towards mysticism; probably it has been a mighty impulse to the religious crisis he describes in the Book of the Dove. He wrote a commentary or notes to it; it is not known in which year; and, no doubt, it has also turned his attention to the other mystic authors of which he quotes a good many in his Ethikon and—some of which he does not quote.

Bar Hebraeus was perhaps too old to change his career and adopt the way of life typical for the Eastern mystic. He has felt this discrepancy between his conviction and his life; one time he speaks of it, in the Book of the Dove, p. 548, where he maintains that it is better for the mystic not to be dependent upon others and to earn his bread by manual work, as the Fathers have done. Then he goes on: Here the author confesses his guilt, saying :

I teach but I do not learn : I write but I have neglected; I preach but I do not practise; I admonish but I have sinned.

Modesty of mystics concerning their experience

In other passages he speaks very modestly about his mystical career. In the introduction to the sentences he relates how the crisis has passed away and light is dawning; but he prays constantly that the screen which impedes his sight may be removed. And in sentence 79 he says that the sun of mystic illumination has not yet risen above his horizon.

We may acknowledge the honesty of such confessions but, at the same time, it has to be observed that they are not seldom found in the works of the eminent leaders of mysticism.