Gotthold's Emblems: Or, Invisible Things Understood by Things That are Made

More about the book

This unusual book was first published in German in 1671, and has been popular with religious readers ever since. It is a series of meditations on everyday objects, such as a lamp, an anchor, or a sieve, which Christian Scriver uses as metaphors for spiritual truths. Each meditation includes a Bible verse, and a poem which encapsulates the idea. The book was intended for private devotion, and is still widely read by Christians of various denominations. But it is also a fascinating window into the religious imagination of early modern Europe.