A scarce monograph on the 17th century poet and theologian Thomas Traherne which critics have called a portrait of the 17th century itself. Not only does it contain an analysis of Traherne's work, but also measures Traherne against such pivotal thinkers as John Calvin, Thomas Hobbes and Francis Bacon.The 17th century in England was a hotbed of thought -- Puritanism, Anglicanism, Arminianism, Quietism, Neoplatonism -- but then there was Traherne who formulated an original and provacative theology expressed in both prose and poetry. Since has been "rediscovered" in the 20th century the response to his work has been passionate, if conflicting. 224 pages. Indexed. This is a scholarly, but accessible work augmented by both footnotes and a bibliography. 224 pages. Indexed.