sometimes if it enjoys and has its beloved, for the pleasure of having him; so that it cannot contain it self; other times, if he does not ma∣nifest himself, through the ardent anxiety of seeking, finding and enjoying him: all this is panting, suffering and dying for love.
48. O that thou could'st but come to con∣ceive the contrariety of accidents, that an in∣amour'd Soul suffers! the combate so terrible and strong on one side; so sweet and melting and amiable on the other! the martyrdom so piercing and sharp with which love torments it; and the cross so painful and sweet withal, with∣out ever being in the mind of getting free from it whil'st thou liv'st!
49. Just so much as light and love increases, just so much increases the grief in seeing that good absent, which it loves so well. To feel it near it self is enjoyment; and never to have done knowing and possessing it, consumes its life: it has food and drink near its mouth, whil'st it wants either, and cannot be satisfied: it sees it self swallowed up and drown'd in a sea of love, whil'st the powerful hand that is able to save it, is near it; and yet doth not do it; nor doth it know when he will come, whom it so much does desire.
50. Sometimes it hears the inward voice of its beloved, which courts and calls it; and a soft and delicate whisper, which goes forth from the secret of the Soul, where it abides, which pierces it strongly, even like to melt and dissolve it, in seeing how near it hath him within it self, and