Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/179

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Of the Sweetness of God's Love.
165

and Mary, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see also Lazarus.

The eye of our intent therefore is to be purified, that it may be single and right, and is to be directed unto Me, beyond all various earthly objects which come between.


CHAPTER XXXIV.

THAT GOD IS PRECIOUS, ABOVE ALL THINGS, TO HIM THAT LOVETH HIM.

BEHOLD! my God, and my All. What would I more, and what greater happiness do I desire?

O sweet and delightful word! but to him only that loveth the word, not the world nor the things that are in the world.

"My God, and my all!" To him that understandeth, enough is said; and to repeat it again and again, is pleasant to him that loveth.

For when Thou art present, all things are delightful; but when Thou art absent, every thing becomes irksome.

Thou givest quietness of heart and peace, and pleasant joy.

Thou makest us to take delight in all things, and in all to praise Thee; neither can any thing please long without Thee; but if it be pleasant, Thy grace must needs be present, and it must be seasoned with the sweetness of Thy wisdom.