onehead

In profoundly mystical language, tinged with the philosophy of that mysterious Neo-Platonist whom we call the pseudo-Dionysius, it tells of the wonderful "onehead," the union of the soul with God in perfect charity: --

The Cell of Self-Knowledge : seven early English mystical treatises printed by Henry Pepwell in 1521 Henry Pepwell 1902

The writer goes on to speak of the mystical consolations and visitations granted to the loving soul in this life, distinguishing the feelings and sensations that are mere delusions, from those that truly proceed from the fire of love in the affection and the light of knowing in the reason, and are a very anticipation of that ineffable "onehead" in heaven.

The Cell of Self-Knowledge : seven early English mystical treatises printed by Henry Pepwell in 1521 Henry Pepwell 1902

Nevertheless, the nearer that a soul in this present life may come to this onehead, the more perfect it is.

The Cell of Self-Knowledge : seven early English mystical treatises printed by Henry Pepwell in 1521 Henry Pepwell 1902

Wete thou well that the end and the sovereignty of perfection standeth in very onehead [154] of God and of a man's soul by perfect charity.

The Cell of Self-Knowledge : seven early English mystical treatises printed by Henry Pepwell in 1521 Henry Pepwell 1902

This wonderful onehead may not be fulfilled [157] perfectly, continually, and wholly in this life, for the corruption of the flesh, but only in the bliss of heaven.

The Cell of Self-Knowledge : seven early English mystical treatises printed by Henry Pepwell in 1521 Henry Pepwell 1902

In the ghostly feeling of this onehead may a loving soul both say and sing (if it list) this holy word that is written in the book of songs in the Bible: Dilectus meus mihi et ego illi; 217 that is: "My loved unto me and I unto Him"; understanden that God shall be knitted with the ghostly glue of grace on His party, and the lovely consent in gladness of spirit on thy party.

The Cell of Self-Knowledge : seven early English mystical treatises printed by Henry Pepwell in 1521 Henry Pepwell 1902

Much comfort it receiveth of our Lord, not only inwardly in its own privy substance, [159] by virtue of the onehead to our Lord that lieth in knowing and loving of God, in light and ghostly brenning of Him, in transforming of the soul in to the Godhead; but also many other comforts, savours, sweetnesses, and wonderful feelings on sere [160] or sundry manners, after that our Lord vouchethsafe to visit His creatures here in earth, and after that the soul profiteth and waxeth in charity.

The Cell of Self-Knowledge : seven early English mystical treatises printed by Henry Pepwell in 1521 Henry Pepwell 1902

That is, though all that God and he be two and sere [215] in kind, nevertheless yet in grace they are so knit together that they are but one in spirit; [216] and all this is for onehead of love and accordance of will; and in this onehead is the marriage made between God and the soul, the which shall never be broken, though all that the heat and the fervour of this work cease for a time, but by a deadly sin.

The Cell of Self-Knowledge : seven early English mystical treatises printed by Henry Pepwell in 1521 Henry Pepwell 1902

Christian, for in this onehead standeth the life of all mankind that shall be saved. "

The Cell of Self-Knowledge : seven early English mystical treatises printed by Henry Pepwell in 1521 Henry Pepwell 1902