Thou must learn to distinguish between the Thing, and that which is only
an image thereof; between that sovereignty which is substantial and in
the inward ground of Nature, and that which is imaginary and in outward
form of semblance; between that which is properly angelical and that
which is no more than bestial. If thou rulest over the creatures
externally only and not from the right internal ground of thy inward
nature, then thy will and ruling is in a bestial kind or matter, and
thine at best is but a sort of imaginary and transitory government,
being void of that which is substantial and permanent, that which only
thou art to desire and press after. Thus by thy outward lording it over
the creatures it is most easy for thee to lose the substance and the
reality, whilst thou hast naught remaining but the image and shadow only
of thy first and original lordship wherein thou art made capable to be
again invested, if thou art but wise, and takest thy investiture from
the Supreme Lord in the right course and matter. Whereas by thy willing
and ruling them in a bestial manner, thou bringest also thy desire into
a bestial essence, by which means thou becomest infected and captivated
therein, and gettest therewith a bestial nature and condition of life.
But if thou shalt have put off the bestial nature, and left the
imaginary life, and quitted the low-imaged condition of it, then art
thou come into the super-imaginariness and into the intellectual life,
which is a state of living above images, figures and shadows. And so
thou rulest over all creatures, being re-united with thy Original, in
that very ground or source, out of which they were and are created, and
thenceforth nothing on earth can hurt thee. For thou art like All
Things, and nothing is unlike thee.