About the Soul’s thanks and praise, to her Savior [from Part III]
![About the Soul’s thanks and praise, to her Savior [from Part III]](/woodcuts/1704Luik1/00033363.jpg)
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: About the Soul’s thanks and praise, to her Savior [from Part III]
Scripture Reference:
- Song of Songs 1 (further images / scripture text)
Description: In a garden with flowers, the Soul views Jesus who wears a crown of roses and an aureole on his head and holds a rose in his hand. In the distance a fountain. 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 refreshed through God’s mercy.
So is a garden of Roses, watered with morning dew,
Fanned softly and friendly by the West wind!
As the Lord’s spirit cools my countenance,
Now I in spite of all the enemy’s rage,
Nourished in Paradise, through an acute death,
Am my Lord’s little flower, sprinkled with his blood,
That he out of pure love poured on my leaves.
That is a dew of life that can feed the spiritual body.
His strength is my garden, his friendly countenance is
My beautiful sunshine; oh world! linger no longer,
Go through your own death into the uncreated light,
In dying does thy ground become pregnant with true life,
And give birth to the new child, that begotten by God’s spirit,
Resembles clearly his origin, and plays in full luxury
In eternity before God his Father’s eyes,
A salvation, not to be pictured by me, nor by anyone else,
Oh World’s wisdom’s foolish wit, what art thou blind,
And dost think that nobody, though he breaks through hell and sins,
Finds the beautiful Paradise in this life:
No by the old beast it is never found,
But the newly born child, out of water and Spirit,
Is led by the Groom in great joy:
And views sometimes that land, from where from where no exit is feared,
But will live eternally, clad in fine virtues.
God’s Answer:
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelations 2:7)
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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