SOURCE: Johnston, Carol Ann. “Heavenly Perspectives, Mirrors of Eternity: Thomas Traherne's Yearning Subject.” Criticism 43, no. 4 (fall 2001): 377-405.

In the following essay, Johnston argues that the “extraordinary theoretical substructure” of Traherne's work is his “quest to strike a new kind of language from issues resonant in poetics and painting,” particularly “the technologies of three-dimensional perspective and the clear-reflecting mirror.”

[Holy Days] are Heavenly perspectives wherin we behold the Mystery of Ages, Mirrors of Eternity wherin we feed upon Revelations and Miracles.

—Thomas Traherne, “Book of Private Devotions”

Before, Behind, and evry where, Faith is, Or sees, the very Masterpiece of Bliss. All Its Materials are a Living Tomb Of Glory, striking the Spectator dumb And there our GOD is seen in Perspective As if he were a BODY and alive. 

—Thomas Traherne

“Article” in Commentaries of Heaven

The chance appearance in a London bookstall of Thomas Traherne's manuscripts of...