The Practice of the Presence of God | Page 4

to love and delight ourselves in God. All possible kinds
of mortification, if they were void of the love of God, could not efface a single sin.
Instead, we ought, without anxiety, to expect the pardon of our sins from the blood of
Jesus Christ only endeavoring to love Him with all our hearts. And he noted that God
seemed to have granted the greatest favors to the greatest sinners as more signal
monuments of His mercy.
Brother Lawrence said the greatest pains or pleasures of this world were not to be
compared with what he had experienced of both kinds in a spiritual state. As a result he
feared nothing, desiring only one thing of God - that he might not offend Him. He said he
carried no guilt. "When I fail in my duty, I readily acknowledge it, saying, I am used to
do so. I shall never do otherwise if I am left to myself. If I fail not, then I give God thanks
acknowledging that it comes from Him."
Third Conversation: Brother Lawrence told me that the foundation of the spiritual life in
him had been a high notion and esteem of God in faith. When he had once well
established his faith he had no other care but to reject every other thought so he might
perform all his actions for the love of God. He said when sometimes he had not thought
of God for a good while he did not disquiet himself for it. Having acknowledged his
wretchedness to God, he simply returned to Him with so much the greater trust in Him.
He said the trust we put in God honors Him much and draws down great graces. Also,
that it was impossible not only that God should deceive but that He should long let a soul
suffer which is perfectly resigned to Him and resolved to endure everything for His sake.
Brother Lawrence often experienced the ready succors of Divine Grace. And because of
his experience of grace, when he had business to do, he did not think of it beforehand.
When it was time to do it, he found in God, as in a clear mirror, all that was fit for him to
do. When outward business diverted him a little from the thought of God a fresh
remembrance coming from God invested his soul and so inflamed and transported him
that it was difficult for him to contain himself. He said he was more united to God in his
outward employments than when he left them for devotion in retirement.
Brother Lawrence said that the worst that could happen to him was to lose that sense of
God which he had enjoyed so long. Yet the goodness of God assured him He would not
forsake him utterly and that He would give him strength to bear whatever evil He
permitted to happen to him. Brother Lawrence, therefore, said he feared nothing. He had
no occasion to consult with anybody about his state. In the past, when he had attempted
to do it, he had always come away more perplexed. Since Brother Lawrence was ready to

lay down his life for the love of God, he had no apprehension of danger.
He said that perfect resignation to God was a sure way to heaven, a way in which we
have always sufficient light for our conduct. In the beginning of the spiritual life we
ought to be faithful in doing our duty and denying ourselves and then, after a time,
unspeakable pleasures followed. In difficulties we need only have recourse to Jesus
Christ and beg His grace with which everything became easy.
Brother Lawrence said that many do not advance in the Christian progress because they
stick in penances and particular exercises while they neglect the love of God which is the
end. This appeared plainly by their works and was the reason why we see so little solid
virtue. He said there needed neither art nor science for going to God, but only a heart
resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him and to love Him only.
Fourth Conversation: Brother Lawrence spoke with great openness of heart concerning
his manner of going to God whereof some part is related already. He told me that all
consists in one hearty renunciation of everything which we are sensible does not lead to
God. We might accustom ourselves to a continual conversation with Him with freedom
and in simplicity. We need only to recognize God intimately present with us and address
ourselves to Him every moment. We need to beg His assistance for knowing His will in
things doubtful and for rightly performing those which we plainly see He requires of us,
offering them to Him before we do them, and