nts of His
attributes. They only differ in the intensity of their revelation, and the
comparative potency of their light. Even as He hath revealed: "Some of the
Apostles We have caused to excel the others."(76) It hath therefore become
manifest and evident that within the tabernacles of these Prophets and
chosen Ones of God the light of His infinite names and exalted attributes
hath been reflected, even though the light of some of these attributes may
or may not be outwardly revealed from these luminous Temples to the eyes
of men. That a certain attribute of God hath not been outwardly manifested
by these Essences of Detachment doth in no wise imply that they Who are
the Daysprings of God's attributes and the Treasuries of His holy names
did not actually possess it. Therefore, these illuminated Souls, these
beauteous Countenances have, each and every one of them, been endowed with
all the attributes of God, such as sovereignty, dominion, and the like,
even though to outward seeming they be shorn of all earthly majesty. To
every discerning eye this is evident and manifest; it requireth neither
proof nor evidence.

Yea, inasmuch as the peoples of the world have failed to seek from the
luminous and crystal Springs of divine knowledge the inner meaning of
God's holy words, they therefore have languished, stricken and sore
athirst, in the vale of idle fancy and waywardness. They have strayed far
from the fresh and thirst-subduing waters, and gathered round the salt
that burneth bitterly. Concerning them, the Dove of Eternity hath spoken:
"And if they see the path of righteousness, they will not take it for
their path; but if they see the path of error, for their path will they
take it. This, because they treated Our signs as lies, and were heedless
of them."(77)

To this testifieth that which hath been witnessed in this wondrous and
exalted Dispensation. Myriads of holy verses have descended from the
heaven of might and grace, yet no one hath turned thereunto, nor ceased to
cling to those words of men, not one letter of which they that have spoken
them comprehend. For this reason the people have doubted incontestable
truths, such as these, and caused themselves to be deprived of the Ridvan
of divine knowledge, and the eternal meads of celestial wisdom.

And now, to resume Our argument concerning the question: Why is it that
the sovereignty of the Qa'im, affirmed in the text of recorded traditions,
and handed down by the sh