The humbling of the heart

Benedictus van Haeften (1580–1648).
Schola cordis: sive, Aversi à Deo cordis ad eumdem reductio, et instruction.
Antwerp: Boëce van Bolswert and Hieronymus Verdussen, 1629.
(BRB1272)

The image of the heart, a prominent motif in emblem books in the seventeenth century, is the focus of this text devoted to the “school of the heart.” The subtitle states that the intention of the book is to lead back to God hearts which have turned away from Him. Individual sections examine different causes of separation from God, means of reforming the errant heart, and states of the heart unified with Christ. Chapter illustrations show hearts being handled by young angels. The engravings include titles, biblical citations, and poetic couplets, while lengthy narratives quote biblical and classical literary sources.

BRB1272_196_main_1000.jpg

Cordis humiliatio (The humbling of the heart).

The humbling of the heart