The Practice of the Presence of God the Best Rule of a Holy Life | Page 2

seek our satisfaction only in the fulfilling of
His will, whether he lead us by suffering or by consolation, for all
would lie equal to a soul truly resigned. That there needed fidelity in
those dryness, or insensibilities and irksomenesses in prayer, by which
GOD tries our love to him; that then was the time for us to make good
and effectual acts of resignation, whereof one alone would oftentimes
very much promote our spiritual advancement.
That as for the miseries and sins he heard of daily in the world, he was

so far from wondering at them, that, on the contrary, he was surprised
that there were not more, considering the malice sinners were capable
of; that for his part he prayed for them; but knowing that GOD could
remedy the mischiefs they did when He pleased, he gave himself no
farther trouble.
That to arrive at such resignation as GOD requires, we should watch
attentively over all the passions which mingle as well in spiritual things
as in those of a grosser nature; that GOD would give light concerning
those passions to those who truly desire to serve Him. That if this was
my design, viz., sincerely to serve GOD, I might come to him (B.
Lawrence) as often as I pleased, without any Fear of being troublesome;
but if not, that I ought no more to visit him.

SECOND CONVERSATION.
That he had always been governed by love, without selfish views; and
that having resolved to make the love of GOD the end of all his actions,
he had found reasons to be well satisfied with his method. That he was
pleased when he could take up a straw from the ground for the love of
GOD, seeking Him only, and nothing else, not even His gifts.
That he had been long troubled in mind from a certain belief that he
should be damned; that all the men in the world could not have
persuaded him to the contrary; but that he had thus reasoned with
himself about it: I engaged in a religious life only for the love of GOD,
_and I have endeavored to act only for Him; whatever becomes of me,
whether I be lost or saved, I will always continue to act purely for the
love of_ GOD. _I shall have this good at least, that till death I shall
have done all that is in me to love Him_. That this trouble of mind had
lasted four years; during which time he had suffered much. But that at
last he had seen that this trouble arose from want of faith; and that since
then he had passed his life in perfect liberty and continual joy. That he
had placed his sins betwixt him and GOD, as it were, to tell Him that
he did not deserve His favors, but that GOD still continued to bestow
them in abundance.
That in order to form a habit of conversing with GOD continually, and
referring all we do to Him, we must at first apply to Him with some
diligence: but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly
excite us to it without any difficulty.

That he expected after the pleasant days GOD had given him, he should
have his turn of pain and suffering; but that he was not uneasy about it,
knowing very well, that as he could do nothing of himself, GOD would
not fail to give him the strength to bear it.
That when an occasion of practicing some virtue offered, he addressed
himself to GOD, saying, LORD, _I cannot do this unless Thou enablest
me_: and that then he received strength more than sufficient.
That when he had failed in his duty, he only confessed his fault, saying
to GOD, _I shall never do otherwise, if You leave me to myself; it is
You who must hinder my falling, and mend what is amiss_. That after
this, he gave himself no further uneasiness about it.
That we ought to act with GOD in the greatest simplicity, speaking to
Him frankly and plainly, and imploring His assistance in our affairs,
just as they happen. That GOD never failed to grant it, as he had often
experienced.
That he had been lately sent into Burgundy, to buy the provision of
wine for the society, which was a very unwelcome task for him,
because he had no turn for business, and because he was lame and
could not go about the boat but by rolling himself over the casks. That
however he gave himself no uneasiness about it, nor about the purchase
of the wine. That he said to GOD, _It was His business he was about_,
and that he afterwards found it very well performed. That he had been