Once I saw a Devil in a flame of fire, who arose before an Angel that sat on a cloud, and the Devil utter'd these words: 'The worship of God is: Honouring his gifts in other men, each according to his genius, and loving the greatest men best: those who envy or calmuniate great men hate God: for there is no other God.'

The Angel hearing this became almost blue; but mastering himself he grew yellow, & at last white, pink, & smiling, and then replied:

'Thou Idolater! is not God One? & is he visible in Jesus Christ? and has not Jesus given his sanction to the law of ten commandments? and are not all other men fools, sinners, & nothings?'

The Devil answer'd: bray a fool in a morter with wheat, yet shall not his folly be beaten out of him; if Jesus Christ is the greatest man, you ought to love him in the greatest degree; now hear how he has given his sanction to the law of ten commandments: did he not mock at the sabbath, and so mock the sabbath's God? murder those who were murder'd because of him? turn away the from the woman taken in adultery? steal the labour of others to support him? bear false witness when he omitted making a defence before Pilate? covet when he pray'd for his disciples, and when he bid them shake off the dust of their feet against such as refused to lodge them?

I tell you, no virtue can exist without breaking these ten commandments. Jesus was all virtue, and acted from impulse, not from rules.

When he had so spoken, I beheld the Angel, who stretched out his arms, embracing the flame of fire, & he was consumed and arose as Elijah.

Note: This Angel, who is now become a Devil, is my particular friend; we often read the Bible together in its infernal or diabolical sense, which the world shall have if they behave well.

I have also The bible of Hell, which the world shall have whether they will or no.

One Law for the Lion & Ox is oppression.

---William Blake

You'll excuse me Brave for transfering this here from our conversation. I'm open for discussion on this and I have to add my reply.

I think it depicts my own battle. Jumping from one concept to another, some contradicting the others, yet it is all the same. There is NO PATH to enlightment for ALL paths lead to it. And none.
In a Christian sense I'd say it represents that the Devil isn't our enemy. We are our own foes. Without the faith being tested how would we grasp it?



I think the Devil balances a Christian. But only if understood correctly. Not as an evil red guy with horns but as a part of our own nature. As it is a part of God's nature. I have a need to often test my beliefs. Sometimes, when I'm in great doubt it feels awful. When I grasp a new concept that rings so clear and yet it crashes the foundation I built my own perspective upon.
So, I need the Devil (myself) to try to decieve me, trick me and reverse the truth so that I can LEARN for my self. Not believe it blindly. But get a GUT feeling that this is MY FAITH. Not because I was told to believe but because I FELT it after questioning my soul numerous times.

My thoughts on the poem? Complete blasphemy

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Short and straight to the point. Thank you for your post. Me being the christian I am ,think it is very spiritual and insightful. But your opinion is much appreciated. Thank you again.

But as blasphemous as it is. It illustrates a good point. Jesus sinned against some of the ten commandments.

Well, if Nova Scotia found it blasphemous, then I definately must like it! Just kidding .

I think it makes a good point as well.

Thanks for your opinion. I quite like the scenario myself. It makes the devil (symbolizing our spontaneousness) seem more intelligent and spiritual than the angel (symbolizing in my view over-rigthteousness).

Again thank you.

Spot on! My point exactly! You're better with words than I am. It took me lines and lines of text to explain it and you've managed to sum it up in one sentence.
*hats off*

blasphemy obserd ridiculous controdictive ........tasteless the word spiteful even comes to mind ..

Really? Why so? I am a Christian myself and find it helped my spiritual outlook.

define Christain... in your own words brave....

Some one who loves God with all his heart and his neighbour as himself.

ok..good enough ...if one loves god with their whole heart how could they partake of this nonesense?
according to the bible ....its either of god or of the devil...what would you say this qoute is from?

Well considering william blake was a christian and only used the devil as symbolic in poetry, and considering God is everything including good and evil. I would say the poem is God inspired.

Just plain crappy.

hmmm
i cant say wheter it is right or wrong
sometimes it need a blind man to watch everything so that he will see
hehehe

it is up to each of us to work out our own salvation...it is not up to us to judge the works of others beyond our meager opinion...we all walk different roads and we must reconcile our lives accordingly...this is the way Brave is working his out...i am confident that God will judge according to his (Brave) heart...i will remember you in my prayers.

randomhit10

Awwwww thanks mate!@!

Have to agree with you, 7th - it is very similar to some of the Greek "poetry" to the various Gods and makes just about as much sense. - Da Wolf

So you didnt understand it? I thought it was quite clear.