370# 二、人与父上帝不能有直接的结合；结合乃是与主结合，并借着主而与父上帝结合。此乃圣经所教导，亦为理性所能看见。
圣经教导说，父上帝从未被人看见，也从未被人听见；并且祂也不能被看见、被听见。因此，祂不能从祂自身，即照祂在自身存在与自身本质中的所是，直接在人里面运行。因为主说：“这不是说有人看见过父，惟独从上帝来的，他看见过父。”（约6:46）“一切所有的，都是我父交付我的；除了父，没有人知道子；除了子和子所愿意指示的，没有人知道父。”（太11:27）“你们从来没有听见他的声音，也没有看见他的形像。”（约5:37）
其原因在于：父上帝处于万有最初与最根本的源头之中，因而至高无上，超越人心智的一切领域；祂乃在一切智慧与一切爱的最初与根本之中，而人与这些最初与根本不能有直接的结合。因此，若祂直接临近人，或人直接临近祂，人便会被吞灭、消融，正如木头在巨大聚光镜的焦点中被焚化；甚至更甚，正如一个形像被投入太阳本身之中。故此，当摩西渴望看见上帝时，上帝对他说：“你不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。”（出33:20）
【2】然而，父上帝是借着主与人结合，这从刚才所引的经文可以明白：不是父，而是那在父怀里的独生子，祂看见了父，并将属于上帝、出于上帝的事阐明并启示出来。此点又可由以下经文进一步证实：“到那日，你们就知道我在父里面，你们在我里面，我也在你们里面。”（约14:20）“你所赐给我的荣耀，我已赐给他们，使他们合而为一，像我们合而为一。我在他们里面，你在我里面，使他们完完全全地合而为一……”（约17:22-23）“我已将你的名指示他们，还要指示他们，使你所爱我的爱在他们里面，我也在他们里面。”（约17:26）
耶稣说：“我就是道路、真理、生命；若不借着我，没有人能到父那里去。”（约14:6）此后腓力想要看见父，主回答他说：“人看见了我，就是看见了父。”（约14:9）又说：“你们若认识我，也就认识我的父。”（约14:7）在别处又说：“人看见我，就是看见那差我来的。”（约12:45）
此外，主还说，祂是门；凡从祂进去的，必要得救；若从别处爬进去，就是贼，就是强盗：“我实实在在地告诉你们，人进羊圈，不从门进去，倒从别处爬进去，那人就是贼，就是强盗。”（约10:1）“我就是门；凡从我进来的，必然得救，并且出入得草吃。”（约10:9）祂又说，凡不常在祂里面的，就被丢在外面，如同枯干的枝子，被人扔在火里焚烧：“人若不常在我里面，就像枝子丢在外面枯干，人拾起来，扔在火里烧了。”（约15:6）
【3】其原因在于：我们的主，即救主，本就是具有人形的父雅威。雅威降临，并成为人，为要能够临近人，也使人能够临近祂；由此便有结合，人也因这结合而得救，得永生。因为当上帝成为人，并由此使所取的人性成为神性时，祂便能按人所能承受的方式临近人，并以神人合一者的身份与人结合。
这里有三者按次序相继：调适、归向、结合。必须先有调适，然后才有归向；又必须先有调适，并同时有归向，然后才有结合。就上帝方面而言，调适乃是祂成为人；就上帝方面而言，归向是恒久不断的，其程度取决于人反过来归向祂；而结合也正是照此归向而实现。
这三者在其自身次序中相继而出，存在于一切成为一体并共同存立的事物之中，也存在于其中每一细节之中。
370# （2）与父神结合是不可能的，只有与主结合，并通过主与父神结合才是可能的。圣经教导了这一真理，理性也看到了它。圣经教导说，父神从来没有被看见或听见过，也不能被看见或听见；因此，祂根本不能从祂自己那里，如祂在自己的存在和本质中一样在人里面运作。因为主说：
没有人看见过神，惟独与父同在的，祂看见过父。（约翰福音6:46）
马太福音：
除了子和子所愿意指示的，没有人知道父。（马太福音11:27）
约翰福音：
你们任何时候都没有听见父的声音，也没有看见祂的形状。（约翰福音5:37）
原因在于，祂在一切事物的初始和首要原则中，因而完全超越人类心智的整个领域。因为祂在智慧的一切事物和爱的一切事物的初始和首要原则中，人不可能与这些初始和首要原则结合。因此，如果神自己要接近人，或人要接近祂，那么人就会被烧毁并融化，就像把一块木头放在巨大的太阳镜的焦点上，或更确切地说，就像把一个雕像扔进太阳本身中。因此，当摩西想要见神时，他被告知：
没有人看见祂还可以存活。（出埃及记33:20）
但通过主可能会有与父神的结合，这一点从刚才引用的经文明显看出来；这些经文表明，不是父，而是在父怀里，并见过父的独生子将那些属于神和来自神的事物表明并揭示出来；这一点从以下经文也明显看出来；约翰福音：
到那日，你们就知道我在父里面，你们在我里面，我也在你们里面。（约翰福音14:20）
又：
你所赐给我的荣耀，我已赐给他们，使他们合而为一，像我们合而为一；我在他们里面，你在我里面。（约翰福音17:22，23，26）
又：
耶稣说，我就是道路，真理，生命。若不藉着我，没有人能到父那里去。腓力想见父，主对他说，人看见了我，就看见了父；你们若认识我，也就认识我的父。（约翰福音14:6，7，9）
又：
看见我的，就看见那差我来的。（约翰福音12:45）
祂还说：
祂是门，凡从祂进来的，必然得救，而从别处爬进去的，那人就是贼，就是强盗。（约翰福音10:1-9）
祂又说：
人若不住在我里面，就被丢出去，像枝子一样枯干，被扔进火里。（约翰福音15:6）
原因在于，主我们的救主就是在人形式中的父自己；因为耶和华降临并成为人，以便祂能接近人，人也能接近祂，结合由此可以实现，人通过这结合可以拥有救赎和永生。因为当神成为人，因而成为人-神时，祂就适应了人，能接近他，并作为神-人和人-神而与他结合。有三个阶段按顺序到来，即：适应、接近和结合。在接近之前必须先有适应；在结合之前必须有适应和接近这两者。神这一方的适应是，祂成为人；神这一方的接近是永恒的，只要人接近祂；当这一切成就时，结合也就实现了。这三个阶段彼此跟随，并按自己的顺序进行，它们在所有成为一体并共存的事物中如此行，无论总体还是细节。
370. (b) It is impossible for us to have a partnership with God the Father. What is possible is a partnership with the Lord, and through the Lord, with God the Father. Scripture teaches this and reason sees it. Scripture teaches that God the Father never has been seen or heard, and never could be. As a result, nothing from him such as he is in his own essential underlying reality could have an effect on us. The Lord says,
No one has seen God except the One who is with the Father. He has seen the Father. (John 6:46)
No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son is willing to reveal him. (Matthew 11:27)
You have never heard the voice of the Father or seen what he looks like. (John 5:37)
The reason for this is that God the Father is in the first principles and beginnings of all things. Therefore he transcends the entire reach of the human mind. He is in the first principles and beginnings of all things related to wisdom and all things related to love. No partnership is possible between those first principles and us. Therefore if he were to come near us or we were to go near him, we would be consumed and liquefied like a piece of wood at the focus of a huge burning mirror; or better yet like a carved statue thrown into the sun itself. This is why Moses, who longed to see God, was told that we cannot see God and live (Exodus 33:20).
[2] The passages that I just quoted make it clear that we form a partnership with God the Father through the Lord. It was not the Father, it was the only begotten Son who is close to the Father's heart and has seen the Father, who disclosed and revealed the things that are of God and from God. The following passages also show that we form a partnership with God the Father through the Lord: "On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me and I am in you" (John 14:20). "The glory that you gave me, I have given them so that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me" (John 17:22-23, 26). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. " Then Philip wanted to see the Father, but the Lord replied, "Those who see me also see the Father, and those who know me also know the Father" (John 14:6-7, and following). Elsewhere we read, "Those who see me see the One who sent me" (John 12:45).
In addition, the Lord says that he is the door, and that those who enter through him are saved, but those who climb up some other way are thieves and robbers (John 10:1, 9). He also says, "Those who do not live in me will be thrown out and put in the fire like a withered branch" (John 15:6).
[3] The reason is that the Lord our Savior is Jehovah the Father himself in human form. Jehovah came down and became human so that he could come close to us and we could come close to him, and a partnership could be forged, through which we could have salvation and eternal life. When God became human and then a human became God, he became able to draw near us in this adapted form and, as a human God and a divine Human, forge a partnership with us.
There are three stages to this that follow in sequence: adjusting to one another, coming closer together, and then forging a partnership. The adjustment has to happen before the two parties can come closer together, and both the adjustment and the coming closer have to happen before a partnership can be forged. The adjustment on God's part was to become human. God is perpetually coming closer to the extent that we are coming closer to him. And as this takes place, a partnership is forged. For each and every set of things that become one and share their existence, these three stages happen in this sequence and proceed in this order.
370. (ii) A link is impossible with God the Father, but it is possible with the Lord, and through Him with God the Father.
This is taught by Scripture and is to be seen by the reason. Scripture teaches that God the Father has never been seen or heard, and cannot be seen or heard either; nor likewise can anything from Him, such as He is in His being and His essence, work upon man. For the Lord says:
No one has seen God, except Him who is with the Father; He has seen the Father, John 6:46.
No one knows the Father, except the Son, and any to whom the Son has wished to reveal Him, Matthew 11:27.
You have never heard the Father's voice, nor have you seen His appearance, John 5:37.
The reason is that He is in the first principles and beginnings of everything, and so is far and away above any level attainable by the human mind. For He is in the first principles and beginnings of the whole of wisdom and the whole of love, and with these man can have no link. Therefore if He should approach a person, or a person should approach Him, he would be consumed and dissolved, like a piece of wood in the focus of a large burning glass, or rather like an image thrown into the sun itself. That is why Moses was told, when he desired to see God, that man cannot see Him and live (Exodus 33:20).
[2] It is evident from the passages just quoted that a link is possible with God the Father through the Lord. These state that it is not the Father, but the only-begotten Son, who is in the Father's bosom and has seen the Father, who has expounded and revealed what is of God and from God. Moreover, it is evident from the following.:
On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me and I am in you, John 14:20.
I have given them the glory which you gave me, so that they might be one, as we are one; I in them and you in me, John 17:22-23, 26.
Jesus said, I am the way, truth and life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And then Philip wished to see the Father, but the Lord answered him, He who sees me sees the Father also, and he who knows me knows the Father also, John 14:6-7ff.
Elsewhere:
He who sees me sees Him who sent me, John 12:45.
Moreover He says that He is the door, and he who enters by Him is saved, and he who climbs up another way is a thief and a robber (John 10:1, 9). He also says that he who does not remain in Him is cast out of doors, and thrown into the fire like a withered branch (John 15:6).
[3] This is because the Lord our Saviour is Jehovah the Father himself in human form; for Jehovah came down and became man, so that He could approach men and men could approach Him, thus establishing a link, and by the link give men salvation and everlasting life. For when God became man, and so man also became God, then by adapting Himself suitably He could approach men, and be linked with them as God-man and Man-god. There are three stages which follow in sequence: adaptation, application and linking. There must be adaptation before there can be application; and there must be adaptation and application together before linking is possible. Adaptation was achieved by God by becoming man. Application by God is constant, in so far as man in turn applies himself; and as this happens, so linking takes place. These three stages follow and proceed in their proper sequence in all details, which become one and come into existence together.
370. (2) Conjunction with God the Father is not possible, but only conjunction with the Lord, and through Him with God the Father. This the Scripture teaches and reason sees. The Scripture teaches that God the Father has never been seen or heard, and cannot be seen or heard; consequently that from Himself, as He is in His own Esse and Essence, He cannot operate at all in man. For the Lord says,
That no man hath seen God save He that is with the Father, He hath seen the Father (John 6:46).
Neither knoweth anyone the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal Him (Matthew 11:27).
Ye have neither heard the voice of the Father at any time nor seen His Shape (John 5:37).
This is because He is in the firsts and the principles of all things, thus pre-eminently above every sphere of the human mind; for He is in the firsts and the principles of all things of wisdom and all things of love, with which man can have no conjunction whatever; consequently if He Himself should draw near to man, or man to Him, man would be consumed and would melt away like wood in the focus of a powerful sun-glass, or rather like an image thrown into the sun itself. Therefore it was said to Moses, who longed to see God,
That man could not see Him and live (Exodus 33:20).
[2] But that there may be conjunction with God the Father through the Lord, is evident from the passages just quoted, that not the Father, but the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, and who has seen the Father, has brought to view and revealed those things which are of God and from God; and also from the following:
In that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you (John 14:20).
The glory which Thou hast given Me, I have given unto them, that they may be one, even as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me (John 3:22, 23, 26).
Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one cometh unto the Father but by Me. And then Philip wished to see the Father, and the Lord said to him, He that seeth Me seeth the Father; and if ye had known Me, ye would know My Father also (John 14:6, 7, 9).
Again:
He that beholdeth Me, beholdeth Him that sent Me (John 12:45).
He also said:
That He is the door, and that whosoever enters through Him is saved while he who climbeth up some other way is a thief and a robber (John 10:1-9).
He also says,
That he who abides not in Him, is cast forth and as a branch is withered, and cast into the fire (John 15:6).
[3] This is because the Lord our Savior is Jehovah the Father Himself in human form; for Jehovah descended and became Man that He might be able to draw near to man, and man to Him, and conjunction might thus be effected, and through that conjunction man might have salvation and eternal life. For when God became Man, and thus also became Man-God, being then accommodated to man He could draw near to him and be conjoined with him as God-Man and Man-God. There are three things that follow in order; accommodation, application, and conjunction. There must be accommodation before there is application; and there must be accommodation and application both together before there is conjunction. Accommodation on God's part was that He became Man; application on God's part is perpetual so far as man applies himself in return; and so far as this is done, conjunction is effected also. These three follow each other and proceed in their order in each and all things, which become one and coexist.
370. (2) There cannot be conjunction with God the Father, but with the Lord, and through Him with God the Father. This truth Scripture teaches and reason sees. Scripture teaches that God the Father has never been either seen or heard, and cannot be; consequently that nothing can take place in man from Him, as He is in His Being and in His Essence; for the Lord says,
that no man has seen God, save He who is with the Father, "He hath seen the Father" John 6:46.
"Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him" Matthew 11:27.
"Ye have neither heard the Father's (A.V., His) voice at any time, nor seen His shape" John 5:37.
This is because He is in the beginnings and first principles of all things, and thus He completely transcends the whole sphere of the human mind. For He is in the beginnings and first principles of all things relating to wisdom and love with which a man cannot possibly have conjunction. If, therefore, God should draw near to man, or man to Him, the man would be consumed and dissipated like a piece of wood in the focus of a huge burning-glass, or rather like an image cast into the sun itself. Thus when Moses desired to see God he was told:
no man could see God and live, Exodus 33:20.
[2] That there is conjunction with God the Father through the Lord is evident from the passages just quoted, affirming that the things which are of God and from God have been declared and revealed not by the Father, but by the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, and who has seen the Father. It is also evident from the following passages:
"At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you" John 14:20.
"The glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in thee, and thou in me" John 17:22-23, 26.
"Jesus saith... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me;" And then Philip wished to see the Father, but the Lord answered him, saying that he who seeth Him seeth the Father also, and that he who knoweth Him knoweth the Father also, John 14:6-7 and following verses;
and in another place,
"He that seeth me seeth Him that sent me" John 12:45.
Further He says,
that He is the door, and that he who enters in by Him shall be saved; but that he who climbs up by some other way is a thief and a robber, John 10:1, 9;
and also,
"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth" and is cast into the fire as a withered branch, John 15:6.
[3] The reason is that the Lord our Savior is Jehovah the Father Himself in human form. For Jehovah descended and became Man, that He might be able to draw near to man, and man to Him; thus that there might be conjunction, and that by conjunction man might have salvation and eternal life. For when God became Man, becoming also Man-God, He was then accommodated to man and able to draw near to him, and to be conjoined with him as God-Man and Man-God. Now there are three things which follow in order, namely, accommodation, application, and conjunction. There must be accommodation before there can be application, and there must be accommodation and application together before there can be conjunction. There was accommodation on the part of God when He became Man; application (or effort towards conjunction) on the part of God is perpetually adjusted to the effort put forth by man; and conjunction is effected in so far as this effort is mutual. These three things follow and make progress in their own order; and they do so in all things, in general and in particular, that become one, and exist together.
370. II. QUOD NON DABILIS SIT CONJUNCTIO CUM DEO PATRE, SED CUM DOMINO ET PER IPSUM CUM DEO PATRE; hoc Scriptura docet, et Ratio videt: Scriptura docet, quod Deus Pater nusquam visus et auditus sit, et quod nec videri et audiri possit, proinde non aliquid ex Se, qualis est in suo Esse et in sua Essentia, apud hominem operari; dicit enim Dominus, Deum 1 nemo vidit quis, nisi qui est apud Patrem, Ille vidit Patrem, Johannes 6:46. Non Patrem quisquam cognoscit, nisi Filius, et cui voluerit Filius revelare, Matthaeus 11:27. Non vocem Patris audivistis unquam, neque speciem Ipsius vidistis, Johannes 5:37 causa est, quia Ipse in omnium Primis et Principiis est, ita eminentissime super omnem sphaeram mentis humanae; est enim in Primis et Principiis 2 omnium Sapientiae et omnium Amoris, cum quibus homini nulla conjunctio dabilis est; quare si Ipse accederet ad hominem, aut homo ad Ipsum, homo consumeretur et colliquesceret, sicut lignum in foco magni speculi caustici, aut potius sicut simulachrum conjectum in ipsum Solem; quare dictum est Mosi, qui cupivit videre Deum, Quod homo non possit 3 videre Ipsum et vivere, Exodus 33:20.
[2] Quod autem Deus Pater conjungatur per Dominum, constat ex mox allatis, quod 4 non Pater, sed Unigenitus Filius, qui in sinu Patris est et vidit Patrem, illa quae Dei et a Deo sunt, exposuerit et revelaverit; et insuper ex his, In die illo cognoscetis, quod Ego in Patre meo, et vos in Me et Ego in vobis, Johannes 14:20. Ego gloriam, quam dedisti Mihi, dedi illis, ut sint unum, sicut nos unum sumus, Ego in illis, et Tu in Me, Johannes 17:22-23, 26. Jesus dixit, Ego sum Via, Veritas, et Vita, nemo venit ad Patrem, nisi per Me: et tunc Philippus voluit videre Patrem, cui Dominus respondit, Qui Me videt, etiam Patrem videt, et qui 5 me cognoscit etiam Patrem cognoscit, Johannes 14:6-7, seq., et alibi, Qui videt Me, videt Ipsum qui misit Me, Johannes 12:45. Ac insuper dicit, Quod sit Janua, et quod qui per Ipsum ingreditur, salvetur, et quod qui ascendit aliunde, sit fur et latro, Johannes 10:1, 9. Et quoque dicit, quod qui non manet in Me, ejicietur foras, et sicut palmes arefactus in ignem conjicietur, Johannes 15:6.
[3] Causa est, quia Dominus noster Salvator, est Ipse Jehovah Pater in Forma humana; Jehovah enim descendit, et Homo factus est, ut accedere posset ad hominem, et homo ad Ipsum, et sic fieret conjunctio, et per conjunctionem homini salus et vita aeterna; quando enim Deus factus est Homo, et sic quoque factus Homo Deus, tunc accommodatus 6 ad hominem potuit accedere, et ei conjungi ut Deus Homo et Homo Deus. Sunt tria quae sequuntur ordine, ACCOMMODATIO, APPLICATIO, et CONJUNCTIO; Accommodatio erit, antequam datur Applicatio, atque Accommodatio et simul Applicatio, antequam datur Conjunctio; Accommodatio a parte Dei fuit, quod factus sit Homo; Applicatio a parte Dei est perpetua, quantum homo se applicat vicissim; et sicut hoc fit, etiam fit Conjunctio. Haec tria sequuntur 7 et procedunt in suo ordine, in omnibus et singulis, quae unum fiunt et coexistunt.
Footnotes:
1. Nisi legeris Patrem, sic Schmidt, in margine exemplaris scriptoris, et alibi.
2. Prima editio: Principus.
3. Prima editio: poffit.
4. Prima editio: Quod.
5. Prima editio: qai.
6. Prima editio: accomodatus.
7. Prima editio: sequntur.