Sect. XX.
AS when the Ideas descend into the Minde, there ariseth a desire of enjoying that, from whence this Ideall Beauty comes; so when the species of sensible Beauty flow into the Eye, there springs a two-fold Appetite of Union with that, whence this Beauty is derived; one Sensuall, the other Rationall; the principles of Bestiall and Human Love. If We follow Sense, We Judge the Body wherein We behold this Beauty, to be its Foun∣tain; whence proceedes a desire of Coition, the most intimate union with it: This is the Love of irrationall Creatures. But Reason knowes, that the Body is so far from being its Originall, that it is destructive to it, and the more it is sever'd from the Bo∣dy, the more it enjoyes its own Nature and Dignity: We must not fix with the species of Sense in the Body, but refine that spe∣cies from all reliques of corporeall infection.
And because Man may be understood by the Rationall Soul, either considered apart, or, in its union to the Body; in the first sence, human Love is the Image of the Celestiall; in the second, Desire of sensible Beauty; this being by the Soul abstracted from matter, and (as much as its nature will allow) made Intellectu∣all. The greater part of men reach no higher than this; others more perfect, remembring that more perfect Beauty which the Soul (before immers'd in the Body) beheld, are inflam'd with an incredible desire of reviewing it, in pursuit whereof, they sepa∣rate themselves as much as possible from the Body, of which the Soul (returning to its first dignity) becomes absolute Mistresse. This is the Image of Celestiall Love, by which man ariseth from one perfection to another, till his Soul (wholly united to the Intellect) is made an Angell. Purged from materiall drosse, and transformed into spirituall flame by this Divine Power, he mounts up to the Intelligible Heaven, and happily rests in his Fathers bosome.