The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite (Divine Names, Celestial Hierarchy, Mystical Theology)

of permitted illuminations, are elevated with a holy reverence, prudently and piously, as on new wings.

SECTION III.

Following then these, the supremely Divine standards, which also govern the whole holy ranks of the supercelestial orders—while honoring the unrevealed of the Godhead, which is beyond mind and matter, with inscrutable and holy reverence of mind, and things unutterable with a prudent silence, we elevate ourselves to the glories that illuminate us in the sacred Oracles, and are led by their light to the supremely Divine Hymns, by which we are supermundanely enlightened and molded to the sacred Songs of Praise, so as both to see the supremely Divine illuminations given to us by them, according to our capacities, and to praise the good-giving Source of every holy manifestation of light, as Itself has taught concerning Itself in the sacred Oracles. For instance, that It is the cause and origin and essence and life of all things; and even of those who fall away from It, both recalling and resurrection; and of those who have lapsed to the perversion of the Divine likeness, renewal and reformation; of those who are tossed about in a sort of irreligious unsteadiness, a religious stability; of those who have continued to stand, steadfastness; of those who are being conducted to It, a protecting Conductor; of those being illuminated, illumination; of those being perfected, source of perfection; of those being deified, source of deification; of those being