Thomas Traherne 17th century English Reverend whose prose and poetic spiritual reflections disappeared until by chance saved from the brink of oblivion around the turn of the 19th-20th century. His most popular work is 'Centuries (of Meditations)' in four groups of one hundred short spiritual reflections, plus a few extra that would have become the fifth 'century'. He died young, in his late thirties. Featured here Third Century, part 4, is the first of his reflections set out in poem format (most of the entries are set out as prose). He reflects on the idea that innate spirituality is educated out of us, and that the adult has to become reacquainted with what was primal. Text as follows (no formal title):
That childish thoughts such joys inspire,
Doth make my wonder, and His glory higher,
His bounty, and my wealth more great:
It shews His Kingdom, and His work complete.
In which there is not anything,
Not meet to be the joy of Cherubim,
He in our childhood with us Walks,
And with our thoughts mysteriously He talks;
He often visiteth our minds,
But cold acceptance in us ever finds:
We send Him often grieved away,
Who else would show us all His Kingdom's joy.
O Lord, I wonder at Thy love,
Which did my infancy so early move:
But more at that which did forbear
And move so long, though slighted many a year:
But most of all, at last that Thou
Thyself shouldst me convert, I scarce know how.
Thy gracious motions oft in vain
Assaulted me: my heart did hard remain
Long time! I sent my God away
Grieved much, that He could not give me His joy.
I careless was, nor did regard
The End for which He all those thoughts prepared.
But now, with new and open eyes,
I see beneath, as if above the skies,
And as I backward look again
See all His thoughts and mine most clear and plain.
He did approach, He me did woo;
I wonder that my God this thing would do.
From nothing taken first I was;
What wondrous things His glory brought to pass!
Now in the World I Him behold.
And me, enveloped in precious gold;
In deep abysses of delights,
In present hidden glorious benefits.
These thoughts His goodness long before
Prepared as precious and celestial store:
With curious art in me inlaid.
That childhood might itself alone be said
My Tutor, Teacher, Guide to be,
Instructed then even by the Deitie.
Backing track 'Let's Get Metaphysical' (album 'About Face' 1984) by David Gilmour (Pink Floyd solo).
Oil sketch by me.