being universals,
are often better comprehended than things applied, for these are of
perpetual variety, and variety obscures.

229. Some contend that there can be a substance so simple as not to be
a form from lesser forms, and out of that substance, through a process
of massing, substantiated or composite things arise, and finally
substances called material. But there can be no such absolutely simple
substances. For what is substance without form? It is that of which
nothing can be predicated; and out of mere being of which nothing can
be predicated, no process of massing can make anything. That there are
things innumerable in the first created substance of all things, which
are things most minute and simple, will be seen in what follows, where
forms are treated of.

230. IN THE LORD THE THREE DEGREES OF HEIGHT ARE INFINITE AND UNCREATE,
BUT IN MAN THE THREE DEGREES ARE FINITE AND CREATED.

In the Lord the three degrees of height are infinite and uncreate,
because the Lord is Love itself and Wisdom itself (as has been already
shown); and because the Lord is Love itself and Wisdom itself, He is
also Use itself. For love has use for its end, and brings forth use by
means of wisdom; for without use love and wisdom have no boundary or
end, that is, no home of their own, consequently they cannot be said
to have being and have form unless there be use in which they may be.
These three constitute the three degrees of height in subjects of life.
These three are like first end, middle end which is called cause, and
last end which is called effect. That end, cause and effect constitute
the three degrees of height has been shown above and abundantly proved.

231. That in man there are these three degrees can be seen from the
elevation of his mind even to the degrees of love and wisdom in which
angels of the second and third heavens are; for all angels were born men;
and man, as regards the interiors pertaining to his mind, is a heaven in
least form; therefore there are in man, by creation, as many degrees of
height as there are heavens. Moreover, man is an image and likeness of
God; consequently these three degrees have been inscribed on man, because
they are in God-Man, that is, in the Lord. That in the Lord these degrees
are infinite and uncreate, and in man finite and created, can be seen from
what was shown in Part First; namely, from this, that the Lord is Love and
Wisdom in Himself; and that man is a recipient of love