Paraphrasis in Dionysium Areopagitam

to Timothy, and to others [he taught] such symbolic composition; and for this reason we have composed this Symbolic Theology. For the things outside of such sacred fiction are filled with much monstrosity, such as when we hear of the "womb" of God—"From the womb before the morning star I have begotten you"—and a "word poured forth"—"My heart has gushed forth a good word"—and "spirit"—"And by the spirit of His mouth"—and "theological bosoms"—"Who is in the bosom of the Father"—and certain trees, "the tree of life"—and "shoots," as: "From a shoot, my son, you have grown up"—and "It shall bloom and sprout, Jacob," taken of Christ, whose fruit of salvation has filled the earth—and "roots," as: "And your root"—and "springs of water," "For with You is the fountain of life," and "They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water," and as many things of this kind.

And [concerning] the light-generations of the "effulgence"—"Who being the effulgence of His glory"—and "O Lord, in the light of Your face they shall walk"—and the like; or other signifying sacred writings taken for the manifold providences of God: as, "An eagle will cover its own nest." Of gifts, as: "You will open Your hand." Of manifestations, because of appearing in the shape of a man to the saints in the Old [Testament]. Of powers, as "a spirit shaking mountains." Of properties, as "adamant" because of the impassibility of the Godhead; for this is a property of the divine nature. The settlements and the dwellings indicate the immutability of the divine nature through the foundational stones. Of processions, because the transmission of His natural goods is signified by the fragrance of the lily, as it is said, "The lily of the valleys." The unions, through the "tin-stone." And through the fire, the separations. And sometimes the shape of a man, as in Daniel: "And the Ancient of Days sat"...