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13. A common nature, therefore, is recognized in their minds, but
in their bodies a division of that one mind itself is figured. As we
ascend, then, by certain steps of thought within, along the
succession of the parts of the mind, there where something first meets
us which is not common to ourselves with the beasts reason begins, so
that here the inner man can now be recognized. And if this inner man
himself, through that reason to which the administering of things
temporal has been delegated, slips on too far by over-much progress
into outward things, that which is his head moreover consenting, that
is, the (so to call it)masculine part which presides in the
watch-tower of counsel not restraining or bridling it: then he waxeth
old because of all his enemies, viz. the demons with their prince the
devil, who are envious of virtue; and that vision of eternal things is
withdrawn also from the head himself, eating with his spouse that which
was forbidden, so that the light of his eyes is gone from him; and so
both being naked from that enlightenment of truth, and with the eyes of
their conscience opened to behold how they were left shameful and
unseemly, like the leaves of sweet fruits, but without the fruits
themselves, they so weave together good words without the fruit of good
works, as while living wickedly to cover over their disgrace as it were
by speaking well.
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