About the spiritual comfort of grace, and the folly of men [from Part I]
![About the spiritual comfort of grace, and the folly of men [from Part I]](/woodcuts/1704Luik1/00033342.jpg)
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: About the spiritual comfort of grace, and the folly of men [from Part I]
Scripture Reference:
- Psalms 34 (further images / scripture text)
- Psalms 40 (further images / scripture text)
Description: Jesus, wearing an areole, has descended on a cloud. He offers a rose to the Soul which is depicted as a young woman with a long dress and is kneeling in front of him. The Dutch artist and poet, Jan Luiken (1649-1712) was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and composing the poem that accompanies it.
Poem: The Soul viewed with God’s grace.
O friendly countenance of the Lord!
Hast thou the entire creation
At once forgotten, at this hour,
To turn thyself only to me?
O friendly life’s vision!
It is now me, O my beloved!
As if nowhere was anything to be found,
As if there was nothing, except thou and I.
I am his beloved, and he is mine.
O little Flowers from Paradise.
O Beautiful scent! O beautiful food!
Never must thy power disappear from me.
Is this that narrow and steep path?
O World if thou didst see out of my eyes!
Thou wouldst fly away from thy path;
Thou wouldst leave the mire alone for the gold.
Now can I forgo earthly joy,
Now thou, O source of all good,
Dost rise so lovely in my Soul,
I wish to die a hundred deaths for thee.
What I say here he will understand,
Who here has once been a visitor.
God’s Answer:
"Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them" (John 14:21).
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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