Mysticism in English LiteratureSpurgeon, Caroline F. E. (Caroline Frances Eleanor)
Religion
Mysticism in English Literature
Spurgeon, Caroline F. E. (Caroline Frances Eleanor)
English literature -- History and criticism; Mysticism -- Great Britain; Mysticism in literature
This "burning" seems to have been for him a real physical sensation, a
bodily condition induced by the adventure of the spirit. This is not
unusual in mystical states, and possibly the cryptic notes made by
Pascal record a similar experience.[57] He continued in this warmth for
nine months, when suddenly he felt and heard the "canor," the "spiritual
music," the "invisible melody" of heaven. Here is his description of his
change from "burning love" to the state of "songful love."
Whilst ... I sat in chapel, in the night, before supper, as I my
psalms sung, as it were the sound of readers or rather singers
about me I beheld. Whilst also, praying to heaven, with all desire
I took heed, suddenly, in what manner I wot not, in me the sound of
song I felt; and likeliest heavenly melody I took, with me dwelling
in mind. Forsooth my thought continually to mirth of song was
changed: and as it were the same that loving I had thought, and in
prayers and psalms had said, the same in sound I showed, and so
forth with [began] to sing that [which] before I had said, and from
plenitude of inward sweetness I burst forth, privily indeed, alone
before my Maker.[58]
The sweetness of this inward spiritual song is beyond any sound that may
be heard with bodily ears, even lovers can only catch snatches of it.
"Worldly lovers soothly words or ditties of our song may know, for the
words they read: but the tone and sweetness of that song they may not
learn."[59] The final stage of "sweetness" seems really to include the
other two, it is their completion and fruition. The first two, says
Rolle, are gained by devotion, and out of them springs the third.[60]
Rolle's description of it, of the all-pervading holy joy, rhythm, and
melody, when the soul, "now become as it were a living pipe," is caught
up into the music of the spheres, "and in the sight of God ... joying
sounds,"[61] deserves to be placed beside what is perhaps the most
magnificent passage in all mystical literature, where Plotinus tells us
of the choral dance of the soul about her God.[62]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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