1 2 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 4 - 1 S p r i n g 2 0 1 8 recreated. In the unison there is no “work” in the active sense of the word, only in the latent possibility to. The “refraining from work” occurs in the unison in the foreground. And it includes one’s charity and compassion for those in hell and purgatory; for those unknown to God, or who are known to him but still stray outside his dearest will; and for loving souls, who have more sorrow than all the rest, since they lack what they love. Justice takes up all this into itself. In one sentence, the first three verses of the poem are summarized here, now from the perspective of the unison. And yet each Person separately has given out what is proper to him, as I have said. But the just nature of the Unity, in which Love belongs to Love and is perfect fruition of herself, does not seek after virtues, virtuous tendencies, or particular works, however pure or of however pure authority they are; and it does not give its protection, out of mercy, to any need, mighty though it is to enrich. For in that fruition of Love there never was and never can be any other work than that one fruition in which the one almighty Deity is Love. In this passage it becomes clear where Hadewych wants to go: in the unison cannot be any “work”. “For in that fruition of Love there never was and never can be any other work than that one fruition in which the one almighty Deity is Love ... And yet each Person separately has given out what is proper to him, as I have said.” In the unison there isn’t any work, there is only the fruition of Minne. The Unity does not engage with virtues, neither with the affection to virtues, nor with certain works, no matter how clean they are or of any excellent authority whatsoever. Also, it does not give its protection, out of mercy, to any need, mighty though it is to enrich. In God “pouring out” and “keeping back” coincide. The Persons in their individuality work the works as described above, the Persons in their Unity remain in unison and this at the same time. It is this difficult insight that Hadewych wants to clarify to her readers. Because she understands she can’t do this without the help of God she appeals to him for a proper understanding for her readers. Hadewych is of the opinion it is important that her readers understand what she has seen because this insight has a great impact on the human soul. The human soul is called to the fullness of Love. To grow into this fullness is only possible when the human soul recognizes itself in the ways of the Persons. Because of this it was necessary for Hadewych to first describe how the orders and prohibitions, given to her by God, also exist at the level of the Persons as “pouring out” and “giving back”. Thereafter she could describe how they result in the Unity of the Persons and in which way the human being becomes part of this Unity. The human soul is incorporated into the Unity and is thus given the fullness of Love. Rule 78–100: The Human Soul in The Unity Now that Hadewych has made this clear, she can return to the human soul and its mission. For this she also takes herself as an example: What was forbidden me (as I told you it was forbidden) was to have on Earth any undueness of love; that is, to stand in awe of nothing outside of Love, and to live in love so exclusively that everything outside of Love should be utterly hated and shunned; therefore for those outside of Love, to have no inclination and no virtuous acts, to perform no particular works that might assist them, and to have no mercy that might protect them, but to remain constantly in the fruition of Love. But when this fruition grows less or passes away, all three of the forbidden works should indeed be performed, as justly owed. When anyone seeks Love and undertakes her service, he must do all things for her glory, for during all this time he is human and needy; and then he must work chivalrously in all things, be generous, serve, and show mercy, for everything fails him and leaves him in want. But when by fruition man is united to Love, he becomes God, mighty and just. And then will, work, and might have an equal part in his justice, as the Three Persons in one God. This passage shows two sides of only one mirror: the “remaining in fruition” on the one hand and “working” on the other hand. The “remaining in fruition” consists in, as is described in respect of the Unity, “to stand in awe of nothing outside of Love”. Hadewych describes how she commissioned to cease all work and dedicate herself to Minne alone. The only thing that she had to do was remaining in the fruition of Love time and time again. What is beyond Minne must be hated and offended. Hadewych summarizes here the poem from the beginning of this Letter in the sentence: “What was forbidden me (as I told you it was forbidden) was to have on Earth any undueness of love”. This “undueness” exists in loosing oneself in virtuous works as described in the prohibitions of the aforementioned poem. The soul must remain in the fruition of Love time and time again. However, this cannot be manipulated by the human soul: “But when this fruition grows less or passes away”. If this is the case, then “all three of the forbidden works should indeed be per-
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