About the tree of Christian Belief [from Part I]
![About the tree of Christian Belief [from Part I]](/woodcuts/1704Luik1/00033346.jpg)
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: About the tree of Christian Belief [from Part I]
Scripture Reference:
- Mark 9 (further images / scripture text)
- Luke 15 (further images / scripture text)
Description: The Soul shows a young tree to Jesus while the devil, half buried in the ground, looks on and an Angel blows a storm over the tree from heaven. Jesus is wearing an aureole and the Soul is depicted as a young woman in a long dress. 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 begs for affirmation and growth of her Belief.
Most profound love of God, consider, with the dew and rain,
From thy life’s Water spirit, as a blessing,
The tree of belief, which your gentle hand,
Has planted so faithfully in the soil of my heart,
That its roots grow deep in your being,
To be less fearful of wind and thunder,
So that it grows, and broadly stretches out its branches,
And lets all thunder, provoked by the enemy’s hate,
However twisting and large, however determined to win the battle,
Wherever it might come from, without or within,
Only rustle over its crown, as it will,
And meanwhile lets the leaves remain still;
In order to bear in meekness and humility,
A fruit of love that might please the Deity.
So appears a young tree, in all kinds of weather,
And stands in rain and snow throughout the severe winter;
All that is good for it, leading to fruitfulness and life,
In the blooming season it will bear its fruit.
God’s Answer:
"I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the Water of Life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Revelation 21:6-7).
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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