Читать книгу Centuries of Meditations - Thomas Traherne - Страница 17

seek after God, will God draw near with his holy Angels. It is better for a man to ‘ live in a corner, so he have a regard for himself’ ; than, neglecting that ‘ one thing needful,' to go abroad, and even work miracles. It is highly commendable in all that are devoted to a religious life to go seldom abroad, to shun being seen of men, and to be as little fond of seeing them.

“8. Why shouldst thou desire to see that, which thou hast not permission to enjoy ? For 'the world passeth away and the lust thereof.' Our sensual appetites continually prompt us to range abroad ; but when the hour of wandering is over, what do we bring home but remorse of conscience, and weariness and dissipation of spirit ? A joyful going out is often succeeded by a sad return ; and a merry evening often brings forth a sorrowful morning. Thus, all carnal joy enters delightfully ; but ere it departs, bites and kills.

“9. What canst thou see anywhere else which thou canst not see in thy retirement ? Behold the heavens, the earth, and all the elements !—for out of those were all things made. What canst thou see there or anywhere, that will ' continue long under the sun' ? Thou hopest perhaps to subdue desire by the power of enjoyment : but thou wilt find it impossible for ' the eye to be satisfied with seeing, or the ear to be filled with hearing.' If all visible nature could pass in review before thee, what would it be but a vain vision ? "

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