Letters 923 verses
1The enclosed is an answer to that which I received from ----; pray deliver it to her.
2She seems to me full of good will, but she would go faster than grace.
3One does not become holy all at once.
4I recommend her to you: we ought to help one another by our advice, and yet more by our good examples.
5You will oblige me to let me hear of her from time to time, and whether she be very fervent and very obedient.
6Let us thus think often that our only business in this life is to please GOD, and that all besides is but folly and vanity.
7You and I have lived about forty years in religion (i.e., a monastic life).
8Have we employed them in loving and serving GOD, who by His mercy has called us to this state and for that very end?
9I am filled with shame and confusion when I reflect on one hand upon the great favors 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.
10Since 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.
11Let us renounce, let us generously renounce, for the love of Him, all that is not Himself; He deserves infinitely more.
12Let us think of Him perpetually.
13Let us put all our trust in Him.
14I 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.
15We 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.
16How can we pray to Him without being with Him?
17How can we be with Him but in thinking of Him often?
18And how can we often think of Him, but by a holy habit which we should form of it?
19You will tell me that I am always saying the same thing.
20It is true, for this is the best and easiest method I know; and as I use no other, I advise all the world to do it.
21We must know before we can love.
22In 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.
23This is an argument which well deserves your consideration.
