The Voice of one crying in the Wilderness
The Argument
As the true method of knowledge is experiment, the true
faculty of knowing must be the faculty which experiences. This faculty I treat
of.
Principle 1ST
That the Poetic Genius is the true Man, and that the body or
outward form of Man is derived from the Poetic Genius. Likewise that the
forms of all things are derived from their Genius, which by the Ancients was
call'd an Angel & Spirit & Demon.
Principle 2ND
As all men are alike in outward form, So (and with the same
infinite variety) all are alike in the Poetic Genius.
Principle 3RD
No man can think, write or speak from his heart, but he must
intend truth. thus all sects of Philosophy are from the Poetic Genius adapted
to the weaknesses of every individual.
Principle 4TH
As none by travelling over known lands can find out the
unknown, So from already acquired knowledge Man could not acquire more;
therefore an universal Poetic genius exists.
Principle 5TH
The Religions of all Nations are derived from each Nation's
different reception of the Poetic Genius, which is every where call'd the Spirit
of Prophecy.
Principle 6TH
The Jewish & Christian Testaments are An original derivation
from the Poetic Genius. This is necessary from the confined nature of bodily
sensation.
Principle 7TH
As all men are alike (tho' infinitely various), So all Religions ,
&, as all similars, have one source.
The true Man is the source, he being the Poetic Genius.by William Blake
