Letters 431 verses
1I have taken this opportunity to communicate to you the sentiments of one of our society, concerning the admirable effects and continual assistances which he receives from the presence of GOD.
2Let you and me both profit by them.
3You must know his continual care has been, for about 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.
4He is now so accustomed to that Divine Presence, that he receives from it continual succors upon all occasions.
5For 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.
6If 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.
7He 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.
8And 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 fund and centre of his soul.
9The experience of these things gives him such an assurance that GOD is always in the fund or bottom of his soul, that it renders him incapable of doubting it upon any account whatever.
10Judge by this what content and satisfaction he enjoys while he continually finds in himself so great a treasure.
11He is no longer in an anxious search after it, but has it open before him, and may take what he pleases of it.
12He complains much of our blindness, and cries often that we are to be pitied who content ourselves with so little.
13GOD, saith he, has infinite treasure to bestow, and we take up with a little sensible devotion, which passes in a moment.
14Blind as we are, we hinder GOD, and stop the current of His graces.
15But when He finds a soul penetrated with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces and favors 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.
16Yes, we often stop this torrent by the little value we set upon it.
17But let us stop it no more; let us enter into ourselves and break down the bank which hinders it.
18Let us make way for grace; let us redeem the lost time, for perhaps we have but little left.
19Death follows us close; let us be well prepared for it: for we die but once; and a miscarriage there is irretrievable.
20I say again, let us enter into ourselves.
21The time presses, there is no room for delay: our souls are at stake.
22I believe you have taken such effectual measures that you will not be surprised.
23I commend you for it; it is the one thing necessary.
24We must, nevertheless, always work at it, because not to advance in the spiritual life is to go back.
25But those who have the gale of the HOLY SPIRIT go forward even in sleep.
26If the vessel of our soul is still tossed with winds and storms, let us awake , who reposes in it, and He will quickly calm the sea.
27I have taken the liberty to impart to you these good sentiments, that you may compare them with your own.
28It 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.
29Let us then both recall our first fervors.
30Let 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.
31I will pray for you; do you pray instantly for me, who am, in our LORD.
