Fifth
Letter:
Prayer for a sister who
is about to make a vow and profession. A fresh insisting upon
the necessity and virtue of practicing the Presence of God.
...the presence
of God; a subject which, in my opinion, contains the whole
spiritual life...
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 practices it will soon become
spiritual.
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 practice and experience it...
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 practice 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;
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 willfully
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.
