assistances which he receives from the presence of GOD. Let you and me
both profit by them.
You must know, his continual care has been, for above forty years past
that he has spent in religion, to be always with GOD; and to do
nothing, say nothing, and think nothing which may displease Him; and
this without any other view than purely for the love of Him, and because
He deserves infinitely more.
He is now so accustomed to that Divine presence, that he receives from
it continual succours upon all occasions. For about thirty years, his
soul has been filled with joys so continual, and sometimes so great,
that he is forced to use means to moderate them, and to hinder their
appearing outwardly.
If sometimes he is a little too much absent from that Divine presence,
GOD presently makes Himself to be felt in his soul to recall him; which
often happens when he is most engaged in his outward business: he
answers with exact fidelity to these inward drawings, either by an
elevation of his heart towards GOD, or by a meek and fond regard to Him,
or by such words as love forms upon these occasions; as for instance,
My GOD, here I am all devoted to Thee: LORD, make me according to Thy
heart. And then it seems to him (as in effect he feels it) that this
GOD of love, satisfied with such few words, reposes again, and rests in
the depth and centre of his soul. The experience of these things gives
him such an assurance that GOD is always in the depth or bottom of his
soul, and renders him incapable of doubting it, upon any account
whatever.
Judge by this what content and satisfaction he enjoys, while he
continually finds in himself so great a treasure: he is no longer in an
anxious search after it, but has it open before him, and may take what
he pleases of it.
He complains much of our blindness; and cries often that we are to be
pitied who content ourselves with so little. GOD, saith he, has
infinite treasure to bestow, and we take up with a little sensible
devotion which passes in a moment. Blind as we are, we hinder GOD, and
stop the current of His graces. But when He finds a soul penetrated
with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces and favours
plentifully; there they flow like a torrent, which, after being
forcibly stopped against its ordinary course, when it has found a
passage, spreads itself with impetuosity and abundance.
Yes, we often stop this torrent, by the little value we set upon it.
But let us stop it no more: let us enter into ourselves and break down
the bank which hinders it. Let us make way for grace; let us redeem
the lost time, for perhaps we have but little left; death follows us
close, let us be well prepared for it; for we die but once, and a
miscarriage there is irretrievable.
I say again, let us enter into ourselves. The time presses: there is
no room for delay; our souls are at stake. I believe you have taken
such effectual measures, that you will not be surprised. I commend you
for it, it is the one thing necessary: we must, nevertheless, always
work at it, because not to advance, in the spiritual life, is to go
back. But those who have the gale of the HOLY SPIRIT go forward even in
sleep. If the vessel of our soul is still tossed with winds and storms,
let us awake the LORD, who reposes in it, and He will quickly calm the
sea.
I have taken the liberty to impart to you these good sentiments, that
you may compare them with your own: they will serve again to kindle and
inflame them, if by misfortune (which GOD forbid, for it would be indeed
a great misfortune) they should be, though never so little, cooled. Let
us then both recall our first fervours. Let us profit by the example
and the sentiments of this brother, who is little known of the world,
but known of GOD, and extremely caressed by Him. I will pray for you;
do you pray instantly for me, who am yours in our LORD.
FIFTH LETTER