manner, GOD will have pity on you.
One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and
preserve it more in tranquillity, is not to let it wander too far at
other times: you should keep it strictly in the presence of GOD; and
being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep
your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its
wanderings.
I have told you already at large, in my former letters, of the
advantages we may draw from this practice of the presence of GOD: let
us set about it seriously and pray for one another.
NINTH LETTER
Enclosing a letter to a corresponding sister, whom he regards with
respect tinged with fear. þ His old theme concisely put.
THE enclosed is an answer to that which I received from þ ; pray
deliver it to her. She seems to me full of good will, but she would go
faster than grace. One does not
become holy all at once. I recommend her to you: we ought to help one
another by our advice, and yet more by our good examples. You will
oblige me to let me hear of her from time to time, and whether she be
very fervent and very obedient.
Let us thus think often that our only business in this life is to please
GOD, that perhaps all besides is but folly and vanity. You and I have
lived above forty years in religion [i.e., a monastic life]. Have we
employed them in loving and serving GOD, who by His mercy has called us
to this state and for that very end? I am filled with shame and
confusion, when I reflect on the one hand upon the great favours which
GOD has done, and incessantly continues to do, me; and on the other,
upon the ill use I have made of them, and my small advancement in the
way of perfection.
Since by His mercy He gives us still a little time, let us begin in
earnest, let us repair the lost time, let us return with a full
assurance to that FATHER of mercies, who is always ready to receive us
affectionately. Let us renounce, let us generously renounce, for the
love of Him, all that is not Himself; He deserves infinitely more. Let
us think of Him perpetually. Let us put all our trust in Him: I doubt
not but we shall soon find the effects of it, in receiving the abundance
of His grace, with which we can do all things, and without which we can
do nothing but sin.
We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life, without the actual
and continual help of GOD; let us then pray to Him for it continually.
How can we pray to Him without being with Him? How can we be with Him
but in thinking of Him often? And how can we often think of Him, but by
a holy habit which we should form of it? You will tell me that I am
always saying the same thing: it is true, for this is the best and
easiest method I know; and as I use no other, I advise all the world to
it. We must know before we can love. In order to know GOD, we must
often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also
think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure. This is an
argument which well deserves your consideration.
TENTH LETTER
Has difficulty, but sacrifices his will, to write as requested. þ The
loss of a friend may lead to acquaintance with the Friend.
I HAVE had a good deal of difficulty to bring myself to write to M. þ ,
and I do it now purely because you and Madam desire me. Pray write the
directions and send it to him. I am very well pleased with the trust
which you have in GOD: I wish that He may increase it in you more and
more: we cannot have too much in so good and faithful a Friend, who
will never fail us in this world nor in the next.
If M. þ makes his advantage of the loss he has had, and puts all his
confidence in GOD, He will soon give him another friend, more powerful
and more inclined to serve him. He disposes of hearts as He pleases.
Perhaps M. þ was too much attached to him he has lost. We ought to