Francis Quarles(1592–1644)

Divine Fancies

Full title: Divine fancies digested into epigrams, meditations & observations

The Dial's edition: London, 1680

A compact devotional miscellany of short, pointed pieces (epigrams, meditations, and observations) that turn biblical scenes and moral themes into memorable spiritual prompts for private reading. The writing favors quick paradoxes, conscience-pricking maxims, and reflective turns meant to move the reader from worldly vanity toward repentance, humility, and steadier inward devotion.

Emblems and Hieroglyphics

Full title: Emblems divine and moral : together with hieroglyphics of the life of man

The Dial's edition: London, 1680

"There is but one cure for a wandering love: set it upon that which cannot be taken from thee. Turn thy desire from the many to the One."

A major English emblem book in which engraved images and religious verse work together to teach moral and spiritual lessons. Each emblem pairs a striking illustration with scriptural framing and epigrammatic poetry, guiding readers to meditate on temptation, virtue, suffering, grace, and the soul's struggle toward God.