XI NATURE

p. 181

p. 182

261 (I. 193)
THE CREATURE IS TRULY IN GOD

Rather in God than in itself The Creature hath its true abode: It perishes, yet evermore Abides eternally in God.

262 (II. 109)
THE WORLD DOTH NOT PASS AWAY

The World doth pass away? Nay, the World stands its ground: What God destroys is but the night that wraps it round.

263 (I. 270)
THE VOICE OF GOD

The Creatures are the utterance Of the Eternal Word—now smooth It sings itself in gentleness, Now rings itself out loud in wrath.

264 (V. 5)
ZERO, IF IT PRECEDES, IS NAUGHT

The Creature, which is nullity, Denoteth zero if it come In front of God—placed after Him It giveth value to the Sum.

p. 183

265 (I. 114)
THE SUN IS ENOUGH

Superfluous to scan the sky, if shines the Sun on thee, Inquiring for the moon and stars of less degree.

266 (IV. 218)
THE TOKEN OF THE BRIDE OF GOD

The Bride doth love the Bridegroom  And loveth none beside: If thou hast other lovers,  How canst thou be the Bride?

267 (II. 231)
THE SUNFLOWER

Friend, marvel not that I behold Naught that my eyes can rest upon, For I must turn myself about And gaze all day upon my Sun.

268 (II. 114)
CREATURES ARE GOOD

Dost thou complain that creatures thwart thy Godward road? How so? To me all creatures are a way to God.

p. 184

269 (IV. 164)
GOD'S COUNTERSIGN

I know God's countersign. His signature is writ In every creature, canst thou but interpret it.

270 (I. 275)
MAN BRINGETH ALL INTO GOD

All things do love thee, Man, and thickly round thee throng: They run to thee because they would to God belong.

271 (II. 115)
THE SPIRITUAL HUNT

Christian, the hounds will hunt thee well, both high and low, Wilt thou but willingly consent to be God's doe.

272 (V. 110)
ALL CREATURES RUN AFTER THE CREATOR.

Who the Creator hath, all things run after him— Man, Angel, Sun and Moon, Air, Fire, Earth and Stream.

p. 185

273 (II. 143)
IN GOD ALL IS GOD

In God all things are God: one worm beneath the sod Ranks with a thousand worms equivalent in God.

274 (V. 61)
EVERYTHING IS PERFECT

Naught is imperfect, Man. Pebble is analogue Of ruby, Seraph not more beautiful than frog.

275 (I. 269)
ALL IS THE SAME TO GOD

God listeth to the croak of frogs as heedfully As to the meadow-lark's sweet-throated melody.

276 (V. 203)
THE WORLDLING IS BLINDED

Open thine eyes and see! Heaven lieth all unfurled! Thou seest it not? Then art thou blind drunk with the World.

p. 186

277 (IV. 160)
GOD IS GLORIOUS EVERYWHERE

No motes of dust are so contemptible and small But that the Wise see God all glorious in them all.

278 (III. 172)
THE FINEST IS THE COMMONEST

Things which are commonest are also the most fine: 'Tis evident in God and in His broad Sunshine.

279 (II. 198)
GOD PLAYETH WITH THE CREATURE

All this is but a Game which God Fashioneth for Himself alone: He hath devised the World of Things Not for the Things' sake but His own.

280 (III. 216)
GOD DOETH IT ALL HIMSELF

God, God is All, All utterly, The lute-strings tremble at His touch; 'Tis He that plays and sings in us— Is therefore thy performance much?

p. 187

281 (IV. 71)
HEAVEN ON EVERY SIDE.

All creatures live and move and have their being in God: Why must thou then needs ask which is the heavenward road?

282 (V. 224)
TO THE DEAD ALL IS DEAD

If thou art dead, my Man, it needs must seem as though All creatures and the world itself were dead also.

283 (VI. 101)
ALL GOES WHEN DESIRE GOES

Thy love and thy desire lend things their preciousness; Take these away, then things are mean and valueless.

284 (VI. 20)
TEMPORAL THINGS ARE SMOKE

Things temporal are like a smoke. If thou dost let it blow about Within thy house, for sure 'twill bite The twain eyes of the spirit out.

p. 188

285 (I. 282)
THE BEST STATION IS IN GOD

To hear the Morning Stars praise God Is little profit to my ears If I am not yet lifted up To God above the Morning Stars.

286 (I. 289)
WITHOUT WHY

The Rose because she is Rose Doth blossom, never asketh Why; She eyeth not herself, nor cares If she is seen of other eye.

287 (III. 98)
NOT TO DISSEMBLE IS NOT TO SIN

What is it not to sin? There is no need to ponder, They'll tell you what it is—the dumb flowers yonder.

288 (I. 290)
LET GOD CARE

Who gives the lilics grace? the daffodils who reeds? Then, Christian, wherefore be so careful for thy needs?

p. 189

289 (I. 127)
ALL IS ALIKE TO GOD

All things are one thing unto God,  He knoweth no diversity. Art thou in substance one with Him,  So is He also with the fly.

290 (VI. 217)
THE ANT'S MIND

To thee the World is very wide, A lump of earth is adamant, A molehill is a mountain range: The reason is—thou art an ant.

291 (VI. 213)
TO THE SMALL, EVERYTHING SMALL IS GREAT

Grow, Child, and become big! So long as thou art small, Things little in themselves will show as great and tall.

292 (IV. 30)
GOD ABOVE ALL GIFTS

Oft have I prayed, "O God, Thy gifts be given me!" Yet knowest Thou, 'tis not Thy gifts I crave but Thee. Give me eternal Life—give what Thou wilt—give aught, Hast thou not given Thyself, still hast Thou given me naught.