About the universal presence, and proximity of God [from Part II]
![About the universal presence, and proximity of God [from Part II]](/woodcuts/1704Luik1/00033353.jpg)
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: About the universal presence, and proximity of God [from Part II]
Scripture Reference:
- Acts 17 (further images / scripture text)
- Romans 10 (further images / scripture text)
Description: The Soul, sitting on her knees, points out the stars to Jesus who sits in front of her. 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 contemplates the proximity of God.
I also thought that the Deity dwelt far,
On a throne, high above the moon and stars,
And I often raised my eye,
Upwards with a deep sigh;
But when it pleased thee to reveal thyself,
Then I saw nothing descend from above;
But in the very bottom of my soul,
It became lovely and sweet.
There thou didst come pushing upward from the depths.
And, like a fountain, sprinkle my thirsty heart,
So that I, Oh God! found thee,
To be the base of my base.
Thus I am glad that thou, my most beloved,
Art closer to me than all my closest friends.
If now all inequality were gone,
And the heart pure as it should be,
No height or depth would part us,
I would melt in God, my love; we would both
Become one spirit, a heavenly flesh and blood,
The essence of God’s heart,
That must happen. Oh! help faithful Lord,
That we turn ourselves completely in thy will.
God's Answer:
"Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:24). "Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you" (1 Corinthians 3:16)?
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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