Divine Love and Wisdom (Harleys) n. 61

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61. ALL CREATED THINGS HAVE, IN A CERTAIN IMAGE, RELATION TO MAN

This can be established from each and every thing of the animal kingdom, from each and every thing of the vegetable kingdom, and from each and every thing of the mineral kingdom.

The relation in (in omnibus et singulis) each and every thing of the animal kingdom to man is evident from the following. Animals of every kind have limbs by which they move, organs by which they feel and viscera by which these are actuated. These things they have in common with man. They have also appetites and affections similar to man's natural appetites and affections. And they have connate knowledges corresponding to their affections, In some of which there appears something spiritual which is more or less in evidence in the beasts of the earth, the birds of the air, and in bees, silk-worms, ants, etc. And so it is that merely natural men regard the living creatures of this kingdom as like themselves, except for speech.

The relation out of (ex omnibus et singulis) each and all things of the vegetable kingdom to man is evident from the following. They come forth out of seed, and from that proceed successively through their several stages. They have what is akin to marriage, followed by prolification, their vegetable soul (anima) is use, of which they are forms, besides many other things which have relation to men. These also have been described by various writers.

The relation by (ab omnibus et singulis) each and all things of the mineral kingdom to man is seen only in the endeavour to produce forms which do show relation, (which forms are, as was said, each and all things of the vegetable kingdom), and so to perform uses. For when a seed first sinks into the bosom of the earth, the earth cherishes it, and from herself provides it with nourishment from every source so that it may sprout forth and present itself in a form representative of man. That there is such an endeavour also in its solid parts is evident from corals at the bottom of the sea, and from flowers in mines [originating] there from minerals and also from metals. The endeavour towards vegetating and thus towards performing uses is an ultimate derived from the Divine in created things.


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