scend thereunto
through the power of a sovereignty recognized as derived from the Name of
God!

196 Amongst the people are those who allege that this Youth hath had no
purpose but to perpetuate His name, whilst others claim that He hath
sought for Himself the vanities of the world--this, notwithstanding that
never, throughout all My days, have I found a place of safety, be it to
the extent of a single foothold. At all times have I been immersed in an
ocean of tribulations, whose full measure none can fathom but God. He,
truly, is aware of what I say. How many the days in which My loved ones
have been sorely shaken by reason of My afflictions, and how many the
nights during which My kindred, fearing for My life, have bitterly wept
and lamented! And this none can deny save them that are bereft of
truthfulness. Is it conceivable that He Who expecteth to lose His life at
any moment should seek after worldly vanities? How very strange the
imaginings of those who speak as prompted by their own caprices, and who
wander distractedly in the wilderness of self and passion! Erelong shall
they be called upon to account for their words, and on that day they shall
find none to befriend or help them.

197 And amongst the people are those who claim that He hath disbelieved in
God--yet every member of My body testifieth that there is none other God
but Him; that those Whom He hath raised up in truth and sent forth with
His guidance are the Manifestations of His most excellent names, the
Revealers of His most exalted attributes, and the Repositories of His
Revelation in the kingdom of creation; that through them the Proof of God
hath been perfected unto all else but Him, the standard of Divine Unity
hath been raised, and the sign of sanctity hath been made manifest; and
that through them every soul hath found a path unto the Lord of the Throne
on high. We testify that there is none other God but Him, that from
everlasting He was alone with none else besides Him, and that He shall be
unto everlasting what He hath ever been. Too high is the All-Merciful for
the hearts of those who have recognized Him to apprehend His true nature,
or for the minds of men to hope to fathom His essence. He verily is
exalted above the understanding of anyone besides Himself, and sanctified
beyond the comprehension of all else save Him. From all eternity He hath
been independent of the entire creation.

198 Remember the days in which the Sun of Batha(24) shon