About the cleansing of the Soul through suffering [from Part II]
![About the cleansing of the Soul through suffering [from Part II]](/woodcuts/1704Luik1/00033361.jpg)
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: About the cleansing of the Soul through suffering [from Part II]
Scripture Reference:
- Psalms 19 (further images / scripture text)
- Proverbs 17 (further images / scripture text)
Description: Jesus watches as the Soul is completely surrounded by fire. 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 is resigned and calm in the fire of purification.
No, sweetest Jesus, fountain of love and friendship,
Thou dost not like it, that the poor Soul suffers,
From thee no fire comes; the flames of these pains
Rise from the ground of the uncleansed heart,
My inconsistency and natural faults,
Are themselves the kindling of this sharply consuming fire,
And I will not be redeemed nor released,
Until the living fire has consumed its food;
Whether it lasts long or briefly, we console ourselves with the pain,
As otherwise I would never be united with God;
Let it burn as it will, yes let the flames wax,
Until one’s self-will shall be completely turned into ash,
Then, at last the fire itself dies like a life,
That totally perished lacks its nourishing food,
O Self-will, which has so long separated me
From God, the highest good, how I shall rejoice
In your downfall, as you must see that after your death
I am in God, my Love, delivered from all distress.
Oh! sweetest Jesus, oh! do fortify me with all thy powers,
As long as this suffering lasts, so that I do not perish.
God’s Answer:
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (James 1:12).
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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