Shine son of glory, and my sinnes are gone like twinkling starres before the rising sunne

Shine son of glory, and my sinnes are gone like twinkling starres before the rising sunne

Francis Quarles was a 17th-century English poet known for his religious poetry and devotional works. One of his most famous works is "Emblems," a collection of poems and illustrations that explore themes of faith, sin, and redemption. In this context, the line "Shine son of glory, and my sinnes are gone like twinkling starres before the rising sunne" can be seen as a powerful expression of Quarles' Christian beliefs and his understanding of the transformative power of God's grace.

The image of the "son of glory" shining brightly in the sky evokes the idea of Christ as the light of the world, illuminating the darkness of sin and offering forgiveness and redemption to all who believe in him. The comparison of sin to "twinkling starres" that disappear before the rising sun emphasizes the fleeting nature of sin in the face of God's eternal love and mercy. Just as the stars fade away in the light of the sun, so too do our sins vanish in the presence of Christ's glory.

For Quarles, this image would have held deep personal significance as a reminder of his own struggles with sin and his reliance on God's grace for forgiveness. As a devout Christian, he would have understood the need for repentance and the power of Christ's sacrifice to cleanse him of his transgressions. The line reflects Quarles' belief in the transformative power of faith and the hope that comes from knowing that our sins can be washed away by the blood of Christ.

Overall, the line "Shine son of glory, and my sinnes are gone like twinkling starres before the rising sunne" encapsulates the central themes of Quarles' religious poetry – faith, redemption, and the overwhelming love of God. It serves as a poignant reminder of the power of Christ's sacrifice to cleanse us of our sins and bring us into the light of his glory.