What a world would this be, were everything beloved as it ought to be!

Some wise words from Thomas Traherne, the seventeenth century Anglican priest and metaphysical poet.

Suppose a river, or a drop of water, an apple or a sand, an ear of wheat or a herb: God knoweth infinite excellencies in it more than we: He seeth how it relateth to angels and men; how it proceedeth from the most perfect Lover to the most perfectly Beloved; how it representeth all His attributes; how it conduceth in its place by the best of means to the best of ends: and for this cause it cannot be beloved too much. God the Author and God the End is to be beloved in it; Angels and Men are to be beloved in it; and it is highly to be esteemed for all their sakes. O what a treasure is every sand when truly understood! Who can love anything that God has made too much? His infinite goodness and wisdom and power are in it. What a world would this be, were everything beloved as it ought to be!
(Traherne, Centuries of Meditations, Second Century, number 67)