Читать книгу Centuries of Meditations - Thomas Traherne - Страница 15

I have explained, is not to disparage the " Imitation," but merely to bring out as strongly as I can, by comparison with it, the particular merits of the " Centuries." I certainly do not wish to displace the former from its position as a devotional classic : all I desire is to show that the " Centuries " is well worthy to take its place beside it. Bearing this in mind, the reader, I hope, will not refuse to follow me while I continue and complete the parallel between the two works.

" He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life." Thus, quoting the words of Christ, does the " Imitation " begin. The writer therein declares his object to be the setting up of a Light whereby the life of man may be guided and ruled in accordance with the will of God. That also was Traherne's object in writing his " Centuries of Meditations." Had he deemed that the " Imitation " satisfactorily fulfilled its avowed purpose he would not have thought it was necessary to write another work of the same kind ; for he could not have failed to see that his " Centuries " must inevitably be brought into comparison with it. Perhaps he did not at first realise this ; but it must soon have become apparent to him. Both writers, according to their lights, were earnestly intent upon fulfilling the will of God—but how different is the spirit in which they write !

Traherne dwells continually upon the goodness, the love, and the mercy of God, whom we are to love in return for His love to us : the God of the author of the " Imitation " is a hard taskmaster, who is to be feared

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