You have seen a little child when it is greatly pleased with a gift from its mother’s hand; it says but little by way of gratitude, but it falls to kissing its mother at a vehement rate. as though it never could be done. Such drawing near in love exists between a regenerate soul and its God.

True saints fall to close embraces of gratitude; exhibiting thankfulness inexpressible, real and deep, and therefore not to be worded; weights of love too heavy to be carried on the backs of such poor staggering bearers as our words. This is drawing near to God, and it is good for us. As when on a sultry day the traveller strips off his garments and plunges into the cool, refreshing brook, and rises from it invigorated to pursue his way, so when a spirit has learned either in prayer or in praise really to draw near to God, it bathes itself in the brooks of heaven (streamlets branching from the river of the water of life), and goes on its way refreshed with heavenly strength.

—Charles H. Spurgeon
Flashes of Thought (Passmore and Alabaster, 1874).

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