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V.]
TAE
SÖtYL
DRAWING
NÉÄP.
TO
GOD.
91
that
arise
from
philosophical and intellectual notions,
that
are superior to the
pleasures'of
sense;
but
the
plea-
sure of
being
near
to
God
in
devotion, far transcends
all
these.
Animal
nature,
at
such
a
season, may be worn
out,
and
faint
and die
'under it
;
but
the mind
is
not
wearer.
It
is
possible
for divine
-
transports
to
rise
so
high as
to
bieák
this
feeble' frame
of
flesh,
and
dissolve
it;
and,
there havebeen instances
ofpersons that
have been
near
to
a
dissolution of mortality
under
the
power
of
divine
extacies
:
but
the soul
has:
not
been faint, has felt
no
weariness.
There are
at
such
a
season most pleà:surable
thoughts
of
heaven
;
there are some bright
glimpses
of
that
blessed
state
when
a christian attains
this nearness
to
God';
for
heaven
is
a
state
of
nearness to
God
everlasting and un-
interrupted
;
not
are the
blessed
inhabitants of that
world
ever weary
of their
company or their business
and
thus, when
there
is
any thing
a-kin to
heaven
brought
down to
the saints in this
mortal state,
they know
it
can-
not
be
uninterrupted
and
perpetual;
and therefore there
is
a desire
of
frequent returns of
such seasons
as
these
are,,
while
they
are
here
on
earth. And
as
Christ,
thé
bridegroom, speaks
to his
saints
in
the language
of
Solo-
mon,
"
Let
me see
thy
face often,
my
spouse, my be-
loved,
let
me
hear
thy voice," Song
ii. 14.
and
viii.
13
So
the
saint
says to his
God
at
such a
season,
"
O may
I
often
see
thy
face in this
manner,
may
I
often
hear
such
a
voice
as
this
is
from thee, for
I
know
not
how to
live
without
it. Flee, my beloved
Saviour, and
make,
haste
to
a
speedy
return, and let there
be
an
unin-
terrupted
and everlasting converse between
God and
my
soul."
Lastly,
There
is
at
such
a
season oftentimes
a
pouring
out of
the soul before
God
with some freedom
in
the
gift, as well
as
the grace
of
prayer.
Mere
sighs
and
groans are
for persons
at
a
distance;
but
when
we
get
near
to
God,
we
speak.
to
him
even
in
his
ear;
and the
heart
is
full;
and
the
tongue
overflows.
I
grant
there
may be the
spirit
of
prayer
assisting a
poor
soul
that cannot
get
near
to
God, but
still
cries
:after
him when he
is
hidden, and expresses
itself
only in
vighs
and
in
groans
unutterable;
so
the
apostle
tells
us,