h have the first fruits of the spirit), are not free from
the travail of the sense-conscious world, until such time as the cycle has
been completed, and those who "are already in Christ, and then they that
are Christ's at his coming," shall have made possible the perfected
creation, and brought about the reign of love on earth.

So that, when a sufficient number of souls shall have attained to this
Illumination (cosmic consciousness), the "last enemy shall be overcome."
That this present era gives promise of this hope, is evident.

The attainment of cosmic consciousness brings with it immunity from
reincarnation, as a necessity--as a law, but it does not provide against
the coming of avatars--"sons of God," who are to "deliver Creation from the
bondage of corruption."

This also is clearly stated by Paul:

"There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ. For the law of the
spirit of life in Christ made me free from the law of sin and death."

There never is any doubt in the minds of those who have attained cosmic
consciousness, that they are spiritual beings and immortal--free from the
law of karma; neither is there any thought of evil or of condemnation.

They know that men are gods in embryo and that until they have been born
into the cosmic consciousness--the realization of their _reality as
spirit_, they must travail; but this sense-conscious state is not to be
condemned any more than the child is to be condemned because it has not
yet grown to adultship.

The advice of St. Paul himself was simple enough and straight-forward
enough. It was devoid of all subtleties; free from complexity; free from
fear, or haste, or doubt, or strife, while confidently awaiting the
universal attainment of Illumination.

To the question as to what path to follow; what should be done to gain
this great boon, if the law of the ancient Hebrews was not to be followed
in its literal significance, Paul said:

"Whatsoever things are honest; whatsoever things are true; whatsoever
things are just; whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever things are lovely;
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, _THINK ON THESE THINGS_."

Which is to say, do not seek the letter of the way of Illumination. Do not
look for forms and ceremonies and rules and systems, but look for that
which is clean and pure and good wherever it may be found.

In St. Paul we have fulfilled all the points that characte