VII.

The recognition of itself as a Power to which an unconditional Imperative is addressed, and which is able to fulfil that Imperative, and the actual realisation of this Power, should the latter come to pass, are distinct from each other; and the possibility of the latter is dependent on the previous accomplishment of the former.

It shall recognise itself as the Divine Schema, not by means of any Being inherent in itself, for there is no such Being, but by means of the realisation of the Power. It must therefore previously possess the knowledge that it is such a Power, and also by what marks it may recognise itself in its self-realisation, in order that it may direct its attention to these characteristic marks, and so be enabled to judge of the realisation which they denote.

Or it may be regarded thus - By means of the realisation of the Power there arises a Schema, and a consciousness of that which is contained in the Schema, and not more than this. (§ v.) The formal addition, which lies beyond the immediate contents of the Schema, - ie. that it is the Schema of God, - is not immediately contained in it; and can only be attributed to it in consequence of some characteristic mark perceived in the actual realisation of the Power. The characteristic mark is this - that the Power realize itself, with absolute Freedom, in accordance with the recognised universal Imperative.