˟

A short method of prayer, and Spiritual torrents, tr. by A.W. Marston

137

 
Image of page 0156

SPIRITUAL TORRENTS. 137

ing, and approve of it. You want Him to take pleasure in it. Is there anything more plausible than the desire that He for whom we suffer should know it, and approve of it, and take delight in it ? Oh, how much you are out in your reckoning ! Your jealous Lover will not permit you to 'enjoy the pleasure which you take in seeing His satis-faction with your sorrow. You must suffer without His appearing to see it, or to approve of it, or to know it. That would be too great a gratification. What pain would we not suffer on such condi-tions ! What ! to know that our Beloved sees our woes, and takes an infinite pleasure in them ! This is too great a pleasure for a generous heart ! Yet I am sure the greatest generosity of those in this degree never goes beyond this. But to suffer without our Beloved being aware of it, when He seems to despise what we do to please Him, and to turn away from it; to have only scorn for what formerly seemed to charm Him ; to see Him repay with a terrible coldness and distance what we do for His sake alone, and with terrible flights all our pursuit of Him ; to lose without complaint all that