Prayer for a sister who is about to make a vow and profession. A
fresh insisting upon the necessity and virtue of practising the Presence
of God.
I RECEIVED this day two books and a letter from Sister, who is preparing
to make her profession, and upon that account desires the prayers of
your holy society, and yours in particular. I perceive that she reckons
much upon them; pray do not disappoint her. Beg of GOD that she may
make her sacrifice in the view of His love alone, and with a firm
resolution to be wholly devoted to Him.
I will send you one of those books which treat of the presence of GOD;
a subject which, in my opinion, contains the whole spiritual life; and
it seems to me that whoever duly practises it will soon become
spiritual.
I know that for the right practice of it, the heart must be empty of all
other things; because GOD will possess the heart alone; and as He
cannot possess it alone, without emptying it of all besides, so neither
can He act there, and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left vacant
to Him.
There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than
that of a continual conversation with GOD: those only can comprehend it
who practise and experience it; yet I do not advise you to do it from
that motive; it is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this
exercise; but let us do it from a principle of love, and because GOD
would have us.
Were I a preacher, I should above all other things preach the practice
of the presence of GOD; and were I a director, I should advise all the
world to do it: so necessary do I think it, and so easy too.
Ah! knew we but the want we have of the grace and assistance of GOD, we
should never lose sight of Him, no, not for a moment. Believe me; make
immediately a holy and firm resolution never more wilfully to forget
Him, and to spend the rest of your days in His sacred presence, deprived
for the love of Him, if He thinks fit, of all consolations.
Set heartily about this work, and if you do it as you ought, be assured
that you will soon find the effects of it. I will assist you with my
prayers, poor as they are: I recommend myself earnestly to yours, and
those of your holy society.
SIXTH LETTER
To a member of the order who had received from him a book, and to whom
he again enlarges on his favourite topic. þ Encouragement to persevere.
I HAVE received from Mrs. þ- the things which you gave her for me. I
wonder that you have not given me your thoughts of the little book I
sent to you, and which you must have received. Pray set heartily about
the practice of it in your old age; it is better late than never.
I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the
practice of the presence of GOD. For my part I keep myself retired with
Him in the depth of centre of my soul as much as I can; and while I am
so with Him I fear nothing; but the least turning from Him is
insupportable.
This exercise does not much fatigue the body: it is, however, proper to
deprive it sometimes, nay often, of many little pleasures which are
innocent and lawful: for GOD will not permit that a soul which desires
to be devoted entirely to Him should take other pleasures than with Him;
that is more than reasonable.
I do not say that therefore we must put any violent constraint upon
ourselves. No, we must serve GOD in a holy freedom, we must do our
business faithfully, without trouble or disquiet; recalling our mind to
GOD mildly and with tranquillity, as often as we find it wandering from
Him.
It is, however, necessary to put our whole trust in GOD, laying aside
all other cares, and even some particular forms of devotion, though very
good in themselves, yet such as one often engages in unreasonably:
because those devotions are only means to attain to the end; so when by