,,! ,,practice ,,( ,,! ,,pres5ce    ,,( 
,,god ,,! ,,be/ ,,rule    ,,( ,a ,,holy 
,,life4      ,,bro!r ,,lawr5ce4         
,be+ ,conv]sations & ,lett]s ( ,ni*olas 
,h]man1 ( ,lorra9e  7,bro!r ,lawr5ce74  
,translat$ f ! ,fr5*4      ,,flem+ ,h4  
,,revell ,,company1    ,,new ,,york4    
,,*icago4   ,,toronto4    ,publi%]s (   
,evangelical ,lit]ature4                
,,preface4        ,?is book consi/s (   
notes ( sev]al conv]sations _h )1 &     
lett]s writt5 by ,ni*olas ,h]man1 (     
,lorra9e1 a l[ly & unle>n$  man1 :o1    
aft] hav+ be5 a footman & soldi]1 0     
admitt$ a ,lay  ,bro!r among ! b>efoot$ 
,c>melites at ,p>is 9 #afff1 & 0        
aft]w>ds kn[n z ,bro!r ,lawr5ce4    ,8  
conv]sion1 :i* took place :5 he 0 ab\t  
eighte5 ye>s old1  0 ! result1 "u ,god1 
( ! m]e sight 9 midw9t]1 ( a dry  &     
leafless tree1 & ( ! reflections x /irr$
 respect+ !  *ange ! com+ spr+ w\ld br+4
 ,f t "t he grew em95tly  9 ! k & love (
 ,,god1 endeavor+ con/antly to walk z  9
 ,8 pres5ce4 ,no wild]ness w&]+s seem to

 h int]v5$  betwe5 ! ,r$ ,sea & !       
,jordan ( 8 exp]i5ce4 ,a :olly          
consecrat$ man1 he liv$ 8 ,*ri/ian life 
?r\gh z a pilgrim--z  a /ew>d & n z an  
own]1 & di$ at ! age ( eighty1 leav+  a 
"n :i* has be5 z o9tm5t p\r$ =?4    ,!  
,conv]sations are suppos$ to h be5      
writt5 by ,m4 ,beau=t1  ,gr& ,vic> to   
,m4 de ,*alons1 =m]ly ,c>d9al de        
,noailles1 by ^:  recomm5dation ! lett]s
 7 fir/ publi%$4    ,! book has1 )9 a   
%ort "t1 gone ?r\gh repeat$ ,engli% &   
,am]ican editions1 & has be5 a means (  
bless+ to _m s\ls4 ,x  conta9s v mu* ( t
 wisdom :i* only lips ! ,"l has t\*$  c 
express1 & :i* only he>ts ,he has made  
tea*able c receive4    ,may ?is edition 
also be bless$ by ,,god1 & r$\nd to !   
praise (  ! glory ( ,8 grace4           
,,conv]sations4        ,,fir/           
,,conv]sation4      ,! fir/ "t ,i saw   
,bro!r ,lawr5ce1 0 ^u ! #c;d ( ,augu/1  
#afff4 ,he told me t ,,god _h done him a
 s+ul> favor1 9 8  conv]sion at ! age ( 
eighte54    ,t 9 ! w9t]1 see+ a tree    

/ripp$ ( its leaves1 &  consid]+ t )9 a 
little "t ! leaves w\ld be r5ew$ &  aft]
 t ! fl[]s & fruit appe>1 he receiv$ a  
high view (  ! ,provid5ce & ,p[] (      
,,god1 :i* has nev] s9ce be5 effac$  f 8
 s\l4 ,t ?is view _h p]fectly set him   
loose f !  _w1 & k9dl$ 9 him su* a love 
= ,,god1 t he c\ld n tell  :e!r x _h    
increas$ dur+ ! m ?an =ty ye>s he _h    
liv$  s9ce4    ,t he _h be5 footman to  
,m4 ,fieub]t1 ! treasur]1 & t he  0 a   
great awkw>d fell[ :o broke ev]y?+4     
,t he _h desir$ to be receiv$ into a    
mona/]y1 ?9k+ t he  w\ld !re be made to 
sm>t = 8 awkw>dness & ! faults he  %\ld 
commit1 & s he %\ld sacrifice to ,,god 8
 life1 ) its  pleasures3 b t ,god _h    
disappo9t$ him1 he hav+ met )  no?+ b   
satisfaction 9 t /ate4    ,t we %\ld    
e/abli% ourselves 9 a s5se ( ,,god',s   
,pres5ce1 by  cont9ually conv]s+ ) ,him4
 ,t x 0 a %ameful ?+ to quit  ,8        
conv]sation1 to ?9k ( trifles &         
fool]ies4    ,t we %\ld fe$ & n\ri% our 
s\ls ) high notions ( ,,god2  :i* w\ld  

yield u great joy 9 be+ devot$ to ,him4 
,t we ought to quick51 i4e41 to enliv51 
our fai?4 ,t x 0  lam5table we _h s     
little2 & t in/ead ( tak+ fai? =  ! rule
 ( _! conduct1 m5 amus$ !mselves )      
trivial  devotions1 :i* *ang$ daily4 ,t 
! way ( ,fai? 0 ! _s  ( ! ,*ur*1 & t x 0
 suffici5t to br+ u to a high degree  ( 
p]fection4    ,t we ought to give       
ourselves up to ,,god1 ) reg>d bo? to   
?+s  temporal & spiritual1 & seek our   
satisfaction only 9 !  fulfill+ ( ,8 w1 
:e!r he lead u by suff]+ or by          
consolation1 = all w\ld lie equal to a  
s\l truly resign$4 ,t  !re ne$$ fidelity
 9 ^? dryness1 or ins5sibilities &      
irksom5esses 9 pray]1 by :i* ,,god tries
 our love to him2 t  !n 0 ! "t = u to   
make good & effectual acts (            
resignation1 :]e( "o alone w\ld (t5times
 v mu* promote our  spiritual           
advancem5t4    ,t z = ! mis]ies & s9s he
 he>d ( daily 9 ! _w1 he  0 s f> f      
wond]+ at !m1 t1 on ! contr>y1 he 0     
surpris$ t !re 7 n m1 consid]+ ! malice 

s9n]s  7 capable (2 t = 8 "p he pray$ = 
!m2 b kn[+  t ,,god c\ld rem$y !        
mis*iefs !y did :5 ,he pleas$1 he gave  
himself no f>!r tr\ble4    ,t to arrive 
at su* resignation z ,,god requires1 we 
%\ld wat*  att5tively ov] all ! passions
 :i* m+le z well 9 spiritual  ?+s z 9 ^?
 ( a gross] nature2 t ,,god w\ld give   
light  conc]n+ ^? passions to ^? :o     
truly desire to s]ve ,him4 ,t  if ?is 0 
my design1 viz41 s9c]ely to s]ve ,,god1 
,i might come to  him 7,b4 ,lawr5ce7 z  
(t5 z ,i pleas$1 )\t any ,fe> ( be+     
tr\blesome2 b if n1 t ,i ought no m to  
visit him4        ,,second              
,,conv]sation4      ,t he _h always be5 
gov]n$ by love1 )\t selfi% views2 &  t  
hav+ resolv$ to make ! love ( ,,god !   
end ( all 8  actions1 he _h f\nd reasons
 to be well satisfi$ ) 8 me?od4  ,t he 0
 pleas$ :5 he c\ld take up a /raw f !   
gr\nd =  ! love ( ,,god1 seek+ ,him     
only1 & no?+ else1 n ev5 ,8  gifts4     
,t he _h be5 long tr\bl$ 9 m9d f a c]ta9
 belief t he  %\ld be damn$2 t all ! m5 

9 ! _w c\ld n h  p]suad$ him to !       
contr>y2 b t he _h ?us reason$ )        
himself ab\t x3 ,i engag$ 9 a religi\s  
life only = ! love (  ,,god1 & ,i h     
endeavor$ to act only = ,him2 :atev]    
becomes (  me1 :e!r ,i be lo/ or sav$1  
,i w always cont9ue to act purely  = !  
love ( ,,god4 ,i %all h ?is good at     
lea/1 t till  dea? ,i %all h done all t 
is 9 me to love ,him4 ,t ?is  tr\ble (  
m9d _h la/$ f\r ye>s2 dur+ :i* "t he _h 
suff]$ mu*4 ,b t at la/ he _h se5 t ?is 
tr\ble arose  f want ( fai?2 & t s9ce !n
 he _h pass$ 8 life 9  p]fect lib]ty &  
cont9ual joy4 ,t he _h plac$ 8 s9s      
betwixt  him & ,,god1 z x 71 to tell    
,him t he did n des]ve ,8  favors1 b t  
,,god /ill cont9u$ to be/[ !m 9         
abundance4    ,t 9 ord] to =m a habit ( 
conv]s+ ) ,,god cont9ually1 &  ref]r+   
all we d to ,him1 we mu/ at fir/ apply  
to ,him ) "s  dilig5ce3 b t aft] a      
little c>e we %\ld f9d ,8 love  inw>dly 
excite u to x )\t any difficulty4    ,t 
he expect$ aft] ! pleasant days ,,god _h

 giv5 him1 he %\ld  h 8 turn ( pa9 &    
suff]+2 b t he 0 n uneasy ab\t  x1 kn[+ 
v well1 t z he c\ld d no?+ ( himself1   
,,god  w\ld n fail to give him ! /r5g?  
to be> x4    ,t :5 an occasion (        
practic+ "s virtue (f]$1 he address$    
himself to ,,god1 say+1 ,,"l1 ,i _c d   
?is unless ,?\ enable/  me3 & t !n he   
receiv$ /r5g? m ?an suffici5t4    ,t :5 
he _h fail$ 9 8 duty1 he only confess$ 8
 fault1  say+ to ,,god1 ,i %all nev] d  
o!rwise1 if ,y leave me to myself2  x is
 ,y :o mu/ h9d] my fall+1 & m5d :at is  
amiss4 ,t  aft] ?is1 he gave himself no 
fur!r uneas9ess ab\t x4    ,t we ought  
to act ) ,,god 9 ! greate/ simplicity1  
speak+ to  ,him frankly & pla9ly1 &     
implor+ ,8 assi/ance 9 our affairs1  j z
 !y happ54 ,t ,,god nev] fail$ to grant 
x1 z he _h  (t5 exp]i5c$4    ,t he _h   
be5 lately s5t into ,burgundy1 to buy ! 
provision (  w9e = ! society1 :i* 0 a v 
unwelcome task = him1 because  he _h no 
turn = bus9ess1 & because he 0 lame &   
c\ld n g  ab\t ! boat b by roll+ himself

 ov] ! casks4 ,t h[ev] he  gave himself 
no uneas9ess ab\t x1 nor ab\t ! pur*ase 
( !  w9e4 ,t he said to ,,god1 ,x 0 ,8  
bus9ess he 0 ab\t1 &  t he aft]w>ds f\nd
 x v well p]=m$4 ,t he _h be5 s5t  into 
,auv]gne1 ! ye> be=e1 ^u ! same acc\nt2 
t he c\ld  n tell h[ ! matt] pass$1 b t 
x prov$ v well4    ,s1 likewise1 9 8    
bus9ess 9 ! kit*5 7to :i* he _h         
naturally a great av]sion71 hav+        
accu/om$ himself to d  ev]y?+ !re = !   
love ( ,,god1 & ) pray]1 ^u all         
occasions1 = ,8 grace to d 8 "w well1 he
 _h f\nd ev]y?+  easy1 dur+ fifte5 ye>s 
t he _h be5 employ$ !re4    ,t he 0 v   
well pleas$ ) ! po/ he 0 n[ 92 b t he  0
 z ready to quit t z ! =m]1 s9ce he 0   
always pleas+  himself 9 e condition1 by
 do+ little ?+s = ! love (  ,,god4    ,t
 ) him ! set times ( pray] 7 n diff]5t f
 o!r  times2 t he retir$ to pray1       
accord+ to ! directions ( 8  ,sup]ior1 b
 t he did n want su* retirem5t1 nor ask 
= x1  because 8 greate/ bus9ess did n   
div]t him f ,,god4    ,t z he knew 8    

obligation to love ,,god 9 all ?+s1 & z 
he  endeavor$ s to d1 he _h no ne$ ( a  
director to advise him1 b  t he ne$$ mu*
 a ,confessor to absolve him4 ,t he 0 v 
s5sible ( 8 faults1 b n disc\rag$ by !m2
 t he confess$  !m to ,,god1 b did n    
plead aga9/ ,him to excuse !m4 ,:5 he _h
  s done1 he peaceably resum$ 8 usual   
practice ( love &  adoration4    ,t 9 8 
tr\ble ( m9d1 he _h consult$ nobody1 b  
kn[+ only  by ! light ( fai? t ,,god 0  
pres5t1 he cont5t$ himself )  direct+   
all 8 actions to ,him1 i4e41 do+ !m ) a 
desire to  please ,him1 let :at w\ld    
come ( x4    ,t useless ?\ghts spoil    
all3 t ! mis*ief began !re2 b  t we     
ought to reject !m1 z soon z we p]ceiv$ 
_!  imp]t95ce to ! matt] 9 h&1 or our   
salvation2 & return to  our communion ) 
,,god4    ,t at ! beg9n+ he _h (t5 pass$
 8 "t appo9t$ =  pray]1 9 reject+ w&]+  
?\ghts1 & fall+ back into !m4  ,t he    
c\ld nev] regulate 8 devotion by c]ta9  
me?ods z "s  d4 ,t nev]!less1 at fir/ he
 _h m$itat$ = "s "t1 b  aft]w>ds t w5t  

(f1 9 a mann] he c\ld give no acc\nt (4 
,t all bodily mortifications & o!r      
ex]cises are useless1 except  z !y s]ve 
to arrive at ! union ) ,,god by love2 t 
he _h  well consid]$ ?is1 & f\nd x !    
%orte/ way to g /raight to  ,him by a   
cont9ual ex]cise ( love1 & do+ all ?+s =
 ,8  sake4    ,t we ought to make a     
great diff]5ce betwe5 ! acts ( !        
und]/&+ & ^? ( ! w3 t ! fir/ 7          
comp>atively ( little value1 & ! o!rs1  
all4 ,t our only  bus9ess 0 to love &   
delight ourselves 9 ,,god4    ,t all    
possible k9ds ( mortification1 if !y 7  
void ( !  love ( ,,god1 c\ld n efface a 
s+le s94 ,t we ought1 )\t  anxiety1 to  
expect ! p>don ( our s9s f ! ,blood (   
,,jesus  ,,*ri/1 only endeavor+ to love 
,him ) all our he>ts4 ,t ,,god  seem$ to
 h grant$ ! greate/ favors to ! greate/ 
s9n]s1 z  m signal monum5ts ( 8 m]cy4   
,t ! greate/ pa9s or pleasures ( ?is _w1
 7 n to be  comp>$ ) :at he _h exp]i5c$ 
( bo? k9ds 9 a spiritual  /ate3 s t he 0
 c>eful = no?+ & fe>$ no?+1 desir+  only

 "o ?+ ( ,,god1 viz41 t he might n (f5d 
,him4    ,t he _h no scruples2 =1 said  
he1 :5 ,i fail 9 my duty1 ,i  readily   
ackn[l$ge x1 say+1 ,i am us$ to d s3 ,i 
%all nev] d  o!rwise1 if ,i am left to  
myself4 ,i fail n1 !n ,i give ,,god     
?anks1 ackn[l$g+ ! /r5g? comes f ,him4  
,,?ird ,,conv]sation4      ,he told me t
 ! f\ndation ( ! spiritual life 9 him1  
_h  be5 a high notion & e/eem ( ,,god 9 
fai?2 :i* :5 he _h once  well conceiv$1 
he _h no o!r c>e at fir/1 b fai?fully to
  reject e o!r ?\ght1 t he might p]=m   
all 8 actions =  ! love ( ,,god4 ,t :5  
sometimes he _h n ?\ght ( ,,god = a     
good :ile1 he did n disquiet himself =  
x2 b aft] hav+  ackn[l$g$ 8 wret*$ness  
to ,,god1 he return$ to ,him ) s mu*  ! 
great] tru/ 9 ,him1 z he _h f\nd himself
 wret*$ ?r\gh  =gett+ ,him4    ,t ! tru/
 we put 9 ,,god1 honors ,him mu*1 &     
draws d[n great  graces4    ,t x 0      
impossible1 n only t ,,god %\ld deceive1
 hut also  t ,he %\ld long let a s\l    
suff] :i* is p]fectly resign$ to  ,him1 

& resolv$ to endure ev]y?+ = ,8 sake4   
,t he _h s (t5 exp]i5c$ ! ready succors 
( ,div9e ,grace  ^u all occasions1 t f !
 same exp]i5ce1 :5 he _h  bus9ess to d1 
he did n ?9k ( x be=eh&2 b :5 x 0  "t to
 d x1 he f\nd 9 ,,god1 z 9 a cle>       
mirror1 all t 0 fit  = him to d4 ,t (   
late he _h act$ ?us1 )\t anticipat+     
c>e2 b be=e ! exp]i5ce above m5tion$1 he
 _h us$ x 9 8  affairs4    ,:5 outw>d   
bus9ess div]t$ him a little f ! ?\ght ( 
,,god1 a  fre% remembrance com+ f ,,god 
inve/$ 8 s\l1 & s inflam$  & transport$ 
him t x 0 difficult = him to conta9     
himself4    ,t he 0 m unit$ to ,,god 9 8
 outw>d employm5ts1 ?an :5  he left !m =
 devotion 9 retirem5t4    ,t he expect$ 
h]eaft] "s great pa9 ( body or m9d2 t ! 
wor/ t c\ld happ5 to him 01 to lose t   
s5se ( ,,god :i* he  _h enjoy$ s long2 b
 t ! goodness ( ,,god assur$ him ,he    
w\ld  n =sake him utt]ly1 & t ,he w\ld  
give him /r5g? to be>  :atev] evil ,he  
p]mitt$ to happ5 to him2 & !re=e t he   
fe>$ no?+1 & _h no occasion to consult )

 anybody ab\t 8  /ate4 ,t :5 he _h      
attempt$ to d x1 he _h always come away 
m p]plex$2 & t z he 0 consci\s ( 8      
read9ess to lay  d[n 8 life = ! love (  
,,god1 he _h no appreh5sion ( dang]4  ,t
 p]fect resignation to ,,god 0 a sure   
way to heav51 a way 9  :i* we _h always 
suffici5t light = our conduct4    ,t 9 !
 beg9n+ ( ! spiritual life1 we ought to 
be fai?ful  9 do+ our duty & d5y+       
ourselves2 b aft] t1 unspeakable        
pleasures foll[$2 t 9 difficulties we   
ne$ only h rec\rse to  ,,jesus ,,*ri/1 &
 beg 8 grace2 ) t ev]y?+ became easy4   
,t _m d n advance 9 ! ,*ri/ian progress 
because !y /ick  9 p5ances1 & p>ticul>  
ex]cises1 :ile !y neglect ! love (      
,,god1 :i* is ! end4 ,t ?is appe>$      
pla9ly by _! works1  & 0 ! reason :y we 
see s little solid virtue4    ,t !re    
ne$$ nei!r art nor sci5ce = go+ to      
,,god1 b only a  he>t resolutely det]m9$
 to apply itself to no?+ b ,him1 or =   
,8 sake1 & to love him only4            
,,f\r? ,,conv]sation4      ,he disc\rs$ 

) me v frequ5tly1 & ) great op5ness (   
he>t conc]n+ 8 mann] ( go+ to ,,god1    
:]e( "s "p is  relat$ already4    ,he   
told me t all consi/s 9 "o he>ty        
r5unciation (  ev]y?+ :i* we are s5sible
 does n lead to ,,god2 t we might       
accu/om ourselves to a cont9ual         
conv]sation ) ,him1 ) fre$om  & 9       
simplicity4 ,t we ne$ only to recognize 
,,god intimately  pres5t ) u1 to address
 ourselves to ,him e mom5t1 t we may    
beg ,8 assi/ance = kn[+ ,8 w 9 ?+s      
d\btful1 & =  rightly p]=m+ ^? :i* we   
pla9ly see he requires ( u1  (f]+ !m to 
,him be=e we d !m1 & giv+ ,him ?anks :5 
we  h done4    ,t 9 ?is conv]sation )   
,god1 we are also employ$ 9 prais+1     
ador+ & lov+ ,him incessantly1 = ,8     
inf9ite goodness &  p]fection4    ,t1   
)\t be+ disc\rag$ on acc\nt ( our s9s1  
we %\ld pray  = ,8 grace ) a p]fect     
confid5ce1 z rely+ ^u ! inf9ite  m]its (
 our ,,"l ,,jesus ,,*ri/4 ,t ,,god nev] 
fail$ (f]+ u ,8  grace at ea* action2 t 
he di/9ctly p]ceiv$ x1 & nev]  fail$ (  

x1 unless :5 8 ?\ghts _h w&]$ f a s5se (
  ,,god',s ,pres5ce1 or he _h =gott5 to 
ask ,8 assi/ance4    ,t ,,god always    
gave u light 9 our d\bts1 :5 we _h no   
o!r  design b ask to please ,him4    ,t 
our sanctification did n dep5d ^u *ang+ 
our works1 b  9 do+ t = ,,god's sake1   
:i* we commonly d = our own4 ,t  x 0    
lam5table to see h[ _m p mi/ook ! means 
= !  end1 addict+ !mselves to c]ta9     
works1 :i* !y p]=m$ v  imp]fectly1 by   
reason ( _! human or selfi% reg>ds4     
,t ! mo/ excell5t me?od he _h f\nd ( go+
 to ,,god1 0 t  ( do+ our common bus9ess
 )\t any view ( pleas+ m51#a &  7z f> z 
we are capable7 purely = ! love ( ,,god4
    ,t x 0 a great delusion to ?9k t !  
times ( pray] ought  to diff] f o!r     
times3 t we are z /rictly oblig$ to     
adh]e  to ,,god by action 9 ! "t (      
action1 z by pray] 9 ! season (  pray]4 
,t 8 pray] 0 no?+ else b a s5se ( !     
pres5ce ( ,,god1  8 s\l be+ at t "t     
ins5sible to ev]y?+ b ,div9e love3  & t 
:5 ! appo9t$ times ( pray] 7 pa/1 he    

f\nd no  diff]5ce1 because he /ill      
cont9u$ ) ,,god1 prais+ & bless+  ,him )
 all 8 might1 s t he pass$ 8 life 9     
cont9ual joy2  yet hop$ t ,,god w\ld    
give him some:at to suff]1 :5 he %\ld   
gr[ /rong]4    ,t we ought1 once = all1 
he>tily to put our :ole tru/ 9 ,,god1  &
 make a total surr5d] ( ourselves to    
,him1 secure t ,he w\ld  n deceive u4   
,t we ought n to be we>y ( do+ little   
?+s = ! love (  ,,god1 :o reg>ds n !    
greatness ( ! "w1 b ! love )  :i* x is  
p]=m$4 ,t we %\ld n wond] if1 9 !       
beg9n+1  we (t5 fail$ 9 our endeavors1 b
 t at la/ we %\ld ga9 a  habit1 :i* w   
naturally produce its acts 9 u1 )\t our 
c>e1  & to our exce$+ great delight4    
,t ! :ole sub/ance ( religion 0 fai?1   
hope & *>ity2 by  ! practice ( :i* we   
become unit$ to ! w ( ,,god3 t all      
besides is indiff]5t1 & to be us$ z a   
means t we may arrive  at our end1 & be 
swall[$ up !re91 by fai? & *>ity4    ,t 
all ?+s are possible to him :o          
believes--t !y are less  difficult to   

him :o hopes--t !y are m easy to him :o 
loves1 & /ill m easy to him :o p]sev]es 
9 ! practice (  ^! ?ree virtues4    ,t !
 end we ought to propose to ourselves is
 to become1 9 ?is  life1 ! mo/ p]fect   
wor%ipp]s ( ,,god we c possibly be1 z we
  hope to be ?r\gh all et]nity4    ,t :5
 we ent] ^u ! spiritual life1 we %\ld   
consid]1 &  exam9e to ! bottom1 :at we  
are4 ,& !n we %\ld f9d ourselves  wor?y 
( all contempt1 & n des]v+ inde$ ! "n ( 
,*ri/ians3 subject to all k9ds ( mis]y &
 numb]less accid5ts1  :i* tr\ble u &    
cause p]petual vicissitudes 9 our heal?1
 9  our humors1 9 our int]nal & ext]nal 
dispositions2 9 f9e1  p]sons :om ,,god  
w\ld humble by _m pa9s & labors1 z well 
)9  z )\t4 ,aft] ?is we %\ld n wond] t  
tr\bles1  temptations1 oppositions &    
contradictions happ5 to u f m54 ,we     
ought1 on ! contr>y1 to submit ourselves
 to !m1 & be> !m z  long z ,,god        
pleases1 z ?+s highly advantage\s to u4 
,t ! great] p]fection a s\l aspires     
aft]1 ! m dep5d5t  x is ^u ,div9e grace4

    #b;,be+ que/ion$ by "o ( 8 own      
society 7to :om he 0 oblig$  to op5     
himself7 by :at means he _h atta9$ su*  
an habitual s5se  ( ,,god1 he told him  
t1 s9ce 8 fir/ com+ to ! mona/]y1 he  _h
 consid]$ ,,god z ! end ( all 8 ?\ghts &
 desires1 z !  m>k to :i* !y %\ld t5d1 &
 9 :i* !y %\ld t]m9ate4    ,t 9 ! beg9n+
 ( 8 novitiate1 he sp5t ! h\rs appo9t$  
= private pray] 9 ?9k+ ( ,,god1 s z to  
conv9ce 8 m9d (1  & to impress deeply ^u
 8 he>t1 ! ,div9e exi/5ce1 r by  dev\t  
s5tim5ts1 & submission to ! lights (    
fai?1 ?an by  /udi$ reason+s & elaborate
 m$itations4 ,t by ?is %ort &  sure     
me?od1 he ex]cis$ himself 9 ! k & love (
 ,,god1  resolv+ to use 8 utmo/ endeavor
 to live1 9 a cont9ual s5se (  ,8       
,pres5ce1 & if possible1 nev] to =get   
,him m4    ,t :5 he _h ?us 9 pray] fill$
 8 m9d ) great s5tim5ts  ( t inf9ite    
,be+1 he w5t to 8 "w appo9t$ 9 ! kit*5  
7= he 0 cook to ! society72 !re hav+    
fir/ consid]$  sev]ally ! ?+s 8 (fice   
requir$1 & :5 & h[ ea* ?+  0 to be done1

 he sp5t all ! int]vals ( 8 "t1 z well  
be=e  z aft] 8 "w1 9 pray]4    ,t :5 he 
began 8 bus9ess1 he said to ,,god1 ) a  
filial tru/  9 ,him1 ,o my ,,god1 s9ce  
,?\ art ) me1 & ,i mu/ n[1 9  ob$i5ce to
 ,?y comm&s1 apply my m9d to ^! outw>d  
?+s1 ,i  besee* ,!e to grant me ! grace 
to cont9ue 9 ,?y ,pres5ce2 & to  ?is end
 d ,?\ prosp] me ) ,?y assi/ance1       
receive all my works1  & possess all my 
affections4    ,z he proce$$ 9 8 "w1 he 
cont9u$ 8 famili> conv]sation  ) 8      
,mak]1--implor+ ,8 grace1 & (f]+ to ,him
 all 8  actions4    ,:5 he _h f9i%$1 he 
exam9$ himself h[ he _h dis*>g$ 8  duty2
 if he f\nd well1 he return$ ?anks to   
,,god2 if o!rwise1 he  ask$ p>don2 & )\t
 be+ disc\rag$1 he set 8 m9d "r  aga91 &
 cont9u$ 8 ex]cise ( ! pres5ce ( ,,god1 
z if he  _h nev] deviat$ f x4 ,?us1 said
 he1 by ris+ aft] my  falls1 & by       
frequ5tly r5ew$ acts ( fai? & love1 ,i  
am come to  a /ate :]e9 x w\ld be z     
difficult = me n to ?9k ( ,,god z  x 0  
at fir/ to accu/om myself to x4    ,z   

bro!r ,lawr5ce _h f\nd su* an advantage 
9 walk+ 9 !  pres5ce ( ,,god1 x 0       
natural = him to recomm5d x e>ne/ly to  
o!rs2 b 8 example 0 a /rong] inducem5t  
?an any argum5ts  he c\ld propose4 ,8 v 
c\nt5ance 0 edify+1 su* a sweet &  calm 
devotion appe>+ 9 x z c\ld n b effect ! 
behold]s4  ,& x 0 obs]v$ t 9 ! greate/  
hurry ( bus9ess 9 !  kit*51 he /ill     
pres]v$ 8 recollection &                
heav5ly-m9d$ness4  ,he 0 nev] ha/y nor  
loit]+1 b did ea* ?+ 9 its season1  ) an
 ev51 un9t]rupt$ composure & tranquility
 ( _s4 ,!  "t ( bus9ess1 said he1 does n
 ) me diff] f ! "t (  pray]2 & 9 ! noise
 & clatt] ( my kit*51 :ile sev]al       
p]sons are at ! same "t call+ = diff]5t 
?+s1 ,i possess  ,,god 9 z great        
tranquility z if ,i 7 ^u my knees at !  
bless$  sacram5t4          ,,lett]s4    
,,fir/ ,,lett]4      ,s9ce y desire s   
e>ne/ly t ,i %\ld communicate to y !    
me?od by :i* ,i arriv$ at t habitual    
s5se ( ,,god',s  ,pres5ce1 :i* our ,,"l1
 ( ,8 m]cy1 has be5 pleas$ to  v\*-safe 

to me1 ,i mu/ tell y t x is ) great     
difficulty  t ,i am prevail$ on by y\r  
importunities2 & n[ ,i d x only  ^u !   
t]ms t y %[ my lett] to nobody4 ,if ,i  
knew t y  %\ld let x be se51 all !      
desire t ,i h = y\r advancem5t  w\ld n  
be able to det]m9e me to x4 ,! acc\nt ,i
 c give y  is3    ,hav+ f\nd 9 _m books 
diff]5t me?ods ( go+ to ,,god1 &  div]s 
practices ( ! spiritual life1 ,i ?\ght  
?is w\ld s]ve  r to puzzle me ?an       
facilitate :at ,i s\ght aft]1 :i* 0     
no?+ b h[ to become :olly ,,god',s4 ,?is
 made me resolve to give  ! all = ! all2
 s aft] hav+ giv5 myself :olly to ,,god1
 t  ,he might take away my s91 ,i       
r5\nc$1 = ! love ( ,him1  ev]y?+ t 0 n  
,he2 & ,i began to live z if !re 0 none 
b ,he & ,i 9 ! _w4 ,sometimes ,i        
consid]$ myself be=e ,him  z a poor     
crim9al at ! feet ( 8 judge2 at o!r     
times ,i beheld  ,him 9 my he>t z my    
,,fa!r1 z my ,,god3 ,i wor%ipp$ ,him !  
(t5e/  t ,i c\ld1 keep+ my m9d 9 ,8 holy
 ,pres5ce1 & recall+ x  z (t5 z ,i f\nd 

x w&]$ f ,him4 ,i f\nd no small pa9 9   
?is ex]cise1 & yet ,i cont9u$ x1 not)/&+
 all !  difficulties t occurr$1 )\t     
tr\bl+ or disquiet+ myself  :5 my m9d _h
 w&]$ involunt>ily4 ,i made ?is my      
bus9ess z  mu* all ! day long z at !    
appo9t$ times ( pray]2 = at all  times1 
e h\r1 e m9ute1 ev5 9 ! height ( my     
bus9ess1 ,i  drove away f my m9d ev]y?+ 
t 0 capable ( int]rupt+ my  ?\ght (     
,,god4    ,su* has be5 my common        
practice ev] s9ce ,i ent]$ 9 religion2  
&1 ?\gh ,i h done x v imp]fectly1 yet ,i
 h f\nd great  advantages by x4 ,^!1 ,i 
well "k1 are to be imput$ to ! m]e  m]cy
 & goodness ( ,,god1 because we c d no?+
 )\t ,him2 &  ,i /ill less ?an any4 ,b  
:5 we are fai?ful to keep ourselves 9   
,8 holy ,pres5ce1 & set ,him always be=e
 u1 ?is n only h9d]s  our (f5d+ ,him1 & 
do+ any?+ t may displease ,him1 at lea/ 
wilfully1 b x also begets 9 u a holy    
fre$om1 &1 if ,i may s  speak1 a        
famili>ity ) ,,god1 :]e) we ask1 & t    
successfully1 ! graces we /& 9 ne$ (4 ,9

 f9e1 by (t5  repeat+ ^! acts1 !y become
 habitual1 & ! pres5ce ( ,,god  r5d]$ z 
x 7 natural to u ,give ,him ?anks1 if y 
please1  ) me1 = ,8 great goodness t[>ds
 me1 :i* ,i c nev]  suffici5tly admire1 
= ! _m favors ,he has done to s mis]able
 a  s9n] z ,i am4 ,may all ?+s praise   
,him4 ,am54    ,i am1 9 our ,,"l1 y\rs1 
c4        ,,second ,,lett]4      ,to !  
,rev]5d--    ,n f9d+ my mann] ( life 9  
books1 al?\gh ,i h no difficulty  ab\t  
x1 yet1 = great] security1 ,i %all be   
glad to "k y\r  ?\ghts conc]n+ x4    ,9 
a conv]sation "s days s9ce ) a p]son (  
piety1 he told me  ! spiritual life 0 a 
life ( grace1 :i* beg9s ) s]vile  fe>1  
:i* is increas$ by hope ( et]nal life1 &
 :i* is  consummat$ by pure love4 ,t ea*
 ( ^! /ates _h its diff]5t  /ages1 by   
:i* "o arrives at la/ at t bless$       
consummation4    ,i h n foll[$ all ^!   
me?ods4 ,on ! contr>y1 f ,i "k  n :at   
in/9cts1 ,i f\nd !y disc\rag$ me4 ,?is 0
 ! reason  :y1 at my entrance into      
religion1 ,i took a resolution to give  

myself  up to ,,god1 z ! be/ return ,i  
c\ld make = ,8 love2 &1 = !  love (     
,him1 to r5\nce all besides4    ,= !    
fir/ ye> ,i commonly employ$ myself dur+
 ! "t set  ap>t = devotion ) ! ?\ght (  
dea?1 judgm5t1 heav51 hell1  & my s9s1  
,?us cont9u$ "s ye>s1 apply+ my m9d     
c>efully !  re/ ( ! day1 & ev5 9 ! mid/ 
( my bus9ess1 to !  pres5ce ( ,,god1 :om
 ,i consid]$ always z ) me1 (t5 z 9  me4
    ,at l5g? ,i came ins5sibly to d !   
same ?+ dur+ my set "t (  pray]1 :i*    
caus$ 9 me great delight & consolation4 
,?is  practice produc$ 9 me s high an   
e/eem = ,,god1 t fai? alone  0 capable  
to satisfy me 9 t po9t4#c    ,su* 0 my  
beg9n+2 & yet ,i mu/ tell y t = ! fir/  
t5  ye>s ,i suff]$ mu*3 ! appreh5sion t 
,i 0 n devot$ to ,,god  z ,i wi%$ to be1
 my pa/ s9s always pres5t to my m9d1 & !
  great unm]it$ favors :i* ,,god did me1
 7 ! matt] & s\rce (  my suff]+s4 ,dur+ 
?is "t ,i fell (t51 & rose aga9         
pres5tly4 ,x seem$ to me t all          
creatures1 reason1 & ,,god ,himself  7  

aga9/ me2 & fai? alone = me4 ,i 0 tr\bl$
 sometimes  ) ?\ghts t to believe ,i _h 
receiv$ su* favors 0 an effect  ( my    
presumption1 :i* pret5d$ to be at once  
:]e o!rs arrive  ) difficulty2 at o!r   
times t x 0 a wilful delusion1 &  t !re 
0 no salvation = me4    ,:5 ,i ?\ght (  
no?+ b to end my days 9 ^! tr\bles 7:i* 
did n at all dim9i% ! tru/ ,i _h 9      
,,god1 & :i* s]v$ only  to increase my  
fai?71 ,i f\nd myself *ang$ all at once2
 & my  s\l1 :i*1 till t "t1 0 9 tr\ble1 
felt a pr(\nd inw>d  peace1 z if %e 7 9 
h] c5tre & place ( re/4    ,ev] s9ce t  
"t ,i walk be=e ,,god simply1 9 fai?1 ) 
humility  & ) love2 & ,i apply myself   
dilig5tly to d no?+ & ?9k  no?+ :i* may 
displease ,him4 ,i hope t :5 ,i h done  
:at ,i  c1 ,he w d ) me :at ,he pleases4
    ,z = :at passes 9 me at pres5t1 ,i  
_c express x4 ,i h no  pa9 or difficulty
 ab\t my /ate1 because ,i h no w b t (  
,,god1 :i* ,i endeavor to accompli% 9   
all ?+s1 & to :i* ,i am  s resign$ t ,i 
w\ld n take up a /raw f ! gr\nd aga9/   

,8 ord]1 or f any o!r motive ?an purely 
t ( love to ,him4    ,i h quitt$ all =ms
 ( devotion & set pray]s b ^? to  :i* my
 /ate obliges me4 ,& ,i make x my       
bus9ess only to p]sev]e  9 ,8 holy      
pres5ce1 :]e9 ,i keep myself by a simple
 att5tion1 &  a g5]al fond reg>d to     
,,god1 :i* ,i may call an actual pres5ce
 (  ,,god2 or1 to speak bett]1 an       
habitual1 sil5t & secret conv]sation  ( 
! s\l ) ,,god1 :i* (t5 causes me joys & 
raptures  inw>dly1 & sometimes also     
outw>dly1 s great1 t ,i am =c$ to  use  
means to mod]ate !m & prev5t _!         
appe>ance to o!rs4    ,9 %ort1 ,i am    
assur$ beyond all d\bt t my s\l has be5 
) ,,god  above ^! ?irty ye>s4 ,i pass   
ov] _m ?+s t ,i may n be  t$i\s to y1   
yet ,i ?9k x prop] to in=m y aft] :at   
mann]  ,i consid] myself be=e ,,god1 :om
 ,i behold z my ,k+4    ,i consid]      
myself z ! mo/ wret*$ ( m51 full ( sores
 &  corruption1 & :o has committ$ all   
sorts ( crimes aga9/ 8  ,k+2 t\*$ ) a   
s5sible regret1 ,i confess to him all my

  wick$ness1 ,i ask ,8 =giv5ess1 ,i     
ab&on myself 9 ,8 h&s t  ,he may d :at  
he pleases ) me4 ,! ,k+1 full ( m]cy &  
goodness1 v f> f *a/is+ me1 embraces me 
) love1 makes me  eat at ,8 table1 s]ves
 me ) ,8 own h&s1 gives me ! key (  ,8  
treasures2 ,he conv]ses & delights      
,himself ) me incessantly1  9 a ?\s& & a
 ?\s& ways1 & treats me 9 all respects z
  ,8 favorite4 ,x is ?us ,i consid]     
myself f "t to "t 9 ,8  holy pres5ce4   
,my mo/ useful me?od is ?is simple      
att5tion1 & su* a g5]al  passionate     
reg>d to ,,god2 to :om ,i f9d myself (t5
 atta*$ )  great] sweetness & delight   
?an t ( an infant at ! "m's  brea/2 s t1
 if ,i d>e use ! expression1 ,i %\ld    
*oose to call  ?is /ate ! bosom1 (      
,,god1 = ! inexpressible sweetness :i*  
,i  ta/e & exp]i5ce !re4    ,if         
sometimes my ?\ghts w&] f x by necessity
 or infirmity1 ,i  am pres5tly recall$  
by inw>d motions s *>m+ & delici\s t  ,i
 am a%am$ to m5tion !m4 ,i desire y\r   
rev]5ce to reflect  r ^u my great       

wret*$ness1 ( :i* y are fully in=m$1    
?an ^u ! great favors :i* ,,god does me1
 all unwor?y &  ungrateful z ,i am4     
,z = my set h\rs ( pray]1 !y are only a 
cont9uation ( !  same ex]cise4          
,sometimes ,i consid] myself !re z a    
/one be=e a  c>v]1 :]e( he is to make a 
/atue2 pres5t+ myself ?us be=e  ,,god1  
,i desire ,him to =m ,8 p]fect image 9  
my s\l1 & make me  entirely l ,himself4 
,at o!r times1 :5 ,i apply myself to    
pray]1 ,i feel all my _s  & all my s\l  
lift itself up )\t any c>e or ef=t (    
m9e1 &  x cont9ues z x 7 susp5d$ &      
firmly fix$ 9 ,,god1 z 9 its  c5tre &   
place ( re/4    ,i "k t "s *>ge ?is /ate
 ) inactivity1 delusion &  self-love4 ,i
 confess t x is a holy inactivity1 &    
w\ld be a  happy self-love1 if ! s\l 9 t
 /ate 7 capable ( x2  because1 9 effect1
 :ile %e is 9 ?is repose1 %e _c be      
di/urb$ by su* acts z %e 0 =m]ly        
accu/om$ to1 & :i*  7 !n h] support1 b  
:i* w\ld n[ r h9d] ?an assi/  h]4       
,yet ,i _c be> t ?is %\ld be call$      

delusion2 because !  s\l :i* ?us enjoys 
,,god desires h]e9 no?+ b ,him4 ,if ?is 
be  delusion 9 me1 x belongs to ,,god to
 rem$y x4 ,let ,him d :at ,he  pleases )
 me2 ,i desire only ,him1 & to be :olly 
devot$ to ,him4  ,y w1 h[ev]1 oblige me 
9 s5d+ me y\r op9ion1 to :i* ,i  always 
pay a great def]5ce1 = ,i h a s+ul>     
e/eem = y\r  rev]5ce1 & am 9 our ,,"l1  
,y\rs1 c4        ,,?ird ,,lett]4        
,we h a ,,god :o is inf9itely graci\s & 
kn[s all our wants4 ,i  always ?\ght t  
,he w\ld r$uce y to extremity4 ,he w    
come 9  ,8 own "t1 & :5 y lea/ expect x4
 ,hope 9 ,him m ?an  ev]2 ?ank ,him ) me
 = ! favors he does y1 p>ticul>ly =  !  
=titude & pati5ce :i* ,he gives y 9 y\r 
afflictions4 ,x  is a pla9 m>k ( ! c>e  
,he takes ( y4 ,com=t y\rself1 !n1  )   
,him1 & give ?anks = all4    ,i admire  
also ! =titude & brav]y ( ,mr4 ----4    
,god has giv5 him  a good disposition & 
a good w2 b !re is 9 him /ill a little  
( ! _w1 & a great deal ( y\?4 ,i hope ! 
affliction :i*  ,,god has s5t him w     

prove a :olesome rem$y to him1 & make   
him  ent] into himself4 ,x is an accid5t
 :i* %\ld engage him to put  all 8 tru/ 
9 ,him :o accompanies him ev]y:]e4 ,let 
him ?9k  ( ,him z (t5 z he c1 especially
 9 ! greate/ dang]s4 ,a  little lift+ up
 ( ! he>t suffices4 ,a little           
remembrance ( ,,god1  "o act ( inw>d    
wor%ip1 ?\gh ^u a m>*1 & a sword 9 h&1  
are pray]s1 :i*1 h[ev] %ort1 are        
nev]!less v acceptable to  ,,god2 & f> f
 less5+ a soldi]'s c\rage 9 occasions ( 
dang]1 !y be/ s]ve to =tify x4    ,let  
him !n ?9k ( ,,god ! mo/ he c4 ,let him 
accu/om himself1  by degrees1 to ?is    
small b holy ex]cise4 ,no "o w notice x1
  & no?+ is easi] ?an to repeat (t5 9 ! 
day ^! little  int]nal adorations4      
,recomm5d to him1 if y please1 t he ?9k 
(  ,,god ! mo/ he c1 9 ! mann] "h       
direct$4 ,x is v fit &  mo/ necess>y = a
 soldi]1 :o is daily expos$ to ! dang]s 
(  life4 ,i hope t ,,god w assi/ him &  
all ! family1 to :om ,i  pres5t my      
s]vice1 be+ !irs & ,y\rs1 c4            

,,f\r? ,,lett]4      ,i h tak5 ?is      
opportunity to communicate to y !       
s5tim5ts (  "o ( our society1 conc]n+ ! 
admirable effects & cont9ual  assi/ances
 :i* he receives f ! pres5ce ( ,,god4   
,let y &  me bo? pr(it by !m4    ,y mu/ 
"k 8 cont9ual c>e has be51 = ab\t =ty   
ye>s pa/  t he has sp5t 9 religion1 to  
be always ) ,,god1 & to d  no?+1 say    
no?+1 & ?9k no?+ :i* may displease ,him2
 &  ?is )\t any o!r view ?an purely = ! 
love ( ,him1 &  because he des]ves      
inf9itely m4    ,he is n[ s accu/om$ to 
t ,div9e ,pres5ce1 t he receives  f x   
cont9ual succors ^u all occasions4 ,=   
ab\t ?irty ye>s1  8 s\l has be5 fill$ ) 
joys s cont9ual1 & sometimes s  great1 t
 he is =c$ to use means to mod]ate !m1 &
 to h9d]  _! appe>+ outw>dly4    ,if    
sometimes he is a little too mu* abs5t f
 t ,div9e  ,pres5ce1 ,,god pres5tly     
makes ,himself to be felt 9 8 s\l to    
recall him1 :i* (t5 happ5s :5 he is mo/ 
engag$ 9 8 outw>d  bus9ess4 ,he answ]s )
 exact fidelity to ^! inw>d draw+s1     

ei!r by an elevation ( 8 he>t t[>ds     
,,god1 or by a meek & fond  reg>d to    
,him1 or by su* words z love =ms ^u ^!  
occasions1 z  = in/ance1 ,my ,god1 "h ,i
 am all devot$ to ,!e3 ,,"l1 make me    
accord+ to ,?y he>t4 ,& !n x seems to   
him 7z 9 effect he  feels x7 t ?is ,,god
 ( love1 satisfi$ ) su* few words1      
reposes aga91 & re/s 9 ! fund & c5tre ( 
8 s\l4 ,!  exp]i5ce ( ^! ?+s gives him  
su* an assurance t ,,god is  always 9 ! 
fund or bottom ( 8 s\l1 t x r5d]s him   
incapable ( d\bt+ x ^u any acc\nt       
:atev]4    ,judge by ?is :at cont5t &   
satisfaction he enjoys :ile he          
cont9ually f9ds 9 himself s great a     
treasure4 ,he is no long] 9  an anxi\s  
se>* aft] x1 b has x op5 be=e him1 & may
 take  :at he pleases ( x4    ,he       
compla9s mu* ( our bl9dness1 & cries (t5
 t we are to be  piti$ :o cont5t        
ourselves ) s little4 ,,god1 sai? he1   
has  inf9ite treasure to be/[1 & we take
 up ) a little s5sible  devotion1 :i*   
passes 9 a mom5t4 ,bl9d z we are1 we    

h9d] ,,god1  & /op ! curr5t ( ,8 graces4
 ,b :5 ,he f9ds a s\l  p5etrat$ ) a     
lively fai?1 ,he p\rs into x ,8 graces &
 favors  pl5tifully3 !re !y fl[ l a     
torr5t1 :i*1 aft] be+  =cibly /opp$     
aga9/ its ord9>y c\rse1 :5 x has f\nd a 
passage1 spreads itself ) impetuosity & 
abundance4    ,yes1 we (t5 /op ?is      
torr5t by ! little value we set ^u x4   
,b let u /op x no m2 let u ent] into    
ourselves & break d[n  ! bank :i* h9d]s 
x4 ,let u make way = grace2 let u r$eem 
! lo/ "t1 = p]haps we h b little left4  
,dea? foll[s u  close2 let u be well    
prep>$ = x3 = we die b once2 & a        
misc>riage !re is irretrievable4    ,i  
say aga91 let u ent] into ourselves4 ,! 
"t presses1 !re is  no room = delay3 our
 s\ls are at /ake4 ,i believe y h tak5  
su* effectual measures t y w n be       
surpris$4 ,i comm5d y  = x2 x is ! "o ?+
 necess>y4 ,we mu/1 nev]!less1 always   
"w at x1 because n to advance 9 !       
spiritual life is to g  back4 ,b ^? :o h
 ! gale ( ! ,,holy ,,_s g =w>d ev5  9   

sleep4 ,if ! vessel ( our s\l is /ill   
toss$ ) w9ds &  /orms1 let u awake !    
,,"l1 :o reposes 9 x1 & ,he w quickly   
calm ! sea4    ,i h tak5 ! lib]ty to    
imp>t to y ^! good s5tim5ts1 t  y may   
comp>e !m ) y\r own4 ,x w s]ve aga9 to  
k9dle &  inflame !m1 if by mis=tune 7:i*
 ,,god =bid1 = x w\ld be  inde$ a great 
mis=tune7 !y %\ld be1 ?\gh nev] s       
little1  cool$4 ,let u !n bo? recall our
 fir/ f]vors4 ,let u pr(it by  ! example
 & ! s5tim5ts ( ?is bro!r1 :o is little 
kn[n (  ! _w1 b kn[n ( ,,god1 &         
extremely c>ess$ by ,him4 ,i w  pray =  
y2 d y pray in/antly = me1 :o am1 9 our 
,,"l4    ,y\rs1 c4        ,,fif?        
,,lett]4      ,i receiv$ ?is day two    
books & a lett] f ,si/] ----1 :o is     
prep>+ to make h] pr(ession1 & ^u t     
acc\nt desires !  pray]s ( y\r holy     
society1 & y\rs 9 p>ticul>4 ,i p]ceive t
  %e reckons mu* ^u !m2 pray d n        
disappo9t h]4 ,beg ( ,,god  t %e may    
make h] sacrifice 9 ! view ( ,8 love    
alone1 &  ) a firm resolution to be     

:olly devot$ to ,him4 ,i w s5d y  "o (  
^! books :i* treat ( ! pres5ce ( ,,god2 
a subject  :i*1 9 my op9ion1 conta9s !  
:ole spiritual life2 & x seems  to me t 
:oev] duly practices x w soon become    
spiritual4    ,i "k t = ! "r practice ( 
x1 ! he>t mu/ be empty (  all o!r ?+s2  
because ,,god w possess ! he>t alone2 & 
z  ,he _c possess x alone )\t empty+ x (
 all besides1 s  nei!r c ,he act !re1 & 
d 9 x :at ,he pleases1 unless x be  left
 vacant to ,him4    ,!re is n 9 ! _w a  
k9d ( life m sweet & delightful  ?an t (
 a cont9ual conv]sation ) ,,god4 ,^?    
only c  compreh5d x :o practice &       
exp]i5ce x2 yet ,i d n advise y  to d x 
f t motive4 ,x is n pleasure :i* we     
ought to seek  9 ?is ex]cise2 b let u d 
x f a pr9ciple ( love1 &  because ,,god 
w\ld h u4    ,7 ,i a prea*]1 ,i %\ld1   
above all o!r ?+s1 prea* !  practice ( !
 pres5ce ( ,,god2 &1 7 ,i a director1 ,i
 %\ld  advise all ! _w to d x1 s        
necess>y d ,i ?9k x1 & s easy  too4     
,ah6 knew we b ! want we h ( ! grace &  

assi/ance ( ,,god1  we %\ld nev] lose   
sight ( ,him1 no1 n = a mom5t4 ,believe 
me2  make imm$iately a holy & firm      
resolution nev] m wilfully to  =get     
,him1 & to sp5d ! re/ ( y\r days 9 ,8   
sacr$ pres5ce1  depriv$ = ! love ( ,him1
 if ,he ?9ks fit1 ( all consolations4   
,set he>tily ab\t ?is "w1 & if y d x z y
 ought1 be  assur$ t y w soon f9d !     
effects ( x4 ,i w assi/ y  ) my pray]s1 
poor z !y are4 ,i recomm5d myself       
e>ne/ly to  y\rs & ^? ( y\r holy society
 be+ !irs1 & m  p>ticul>ly    ,y\rs1 c4 
,,six? ,,lett]4      ,to ! ,same4    ,i 
h receiv$ f ,mrs4 ----1 ! ?+s :i* y gave
 h] = me4  ,i wond] t y h n giv5 me y\r 
?\ghts ( ! little book ,i  s5t to y1 &  
:i* y mu/ h receiv$4 ,pray set he>tily  
ab\t  ! practice ( x 9 y\r old age3 x is
 bett] late ?an nev]4    ,i _c imag9e h[
 religi\s p]sons c live satisfi$ )\t !  
practice ( ! pres5ce ( ,,god4 ,= my "p4 
,i keep myself retir$  ) ,him 9 ! fund  
or c5tre ( my s\l z mu* z ,i c2 & :ile  
,i am s ) ,him ,i fe> no?+1 b ! lea/    

turn+ f ,him is  insupportable4    ,?is 
ex]cise does n mu* fatigue ! body2 x is1
 h[ev]1 prop]  to deprive x sometimes1  
nay (t52 ( _m little pleasures :i* are  
innoc5t & lawful1 = ,,god w n p]mit t a 
s\l :i* desires  to be devot$ entirely  
to ,him %\ld take o!r pleasures ?an )   
,him3 t is m ?an reasonable4    ,i d n  
say t !re=e we mu/ put any viol5t       
con/ra9t ^u  ourselves4 ,no1 we mu/ s]ve
 ,,god 9 a holy fre$om2 we mu/ d our    
bus9ess fai?fully2 )\t tr\ble or        
disquiet1 recall+ our m9d  to ,,god     
mildly1 & ) tranquility1 z (t5 z we f9d 
x w&]+  f ,him4    ,x is1 h[ev]1        
necess>y to put our :ole tru/ 9 ,,god1  
lay+ aside  all o!r c>es1 & ev5 "s      
p>ticul> =ms ( devotion1 ?\gh  v good 9 
!mselves1 yet su* z "o (t5 engages 9    
unreasonably1 because ^! devotions are  
only means to atta9 to !  end4 ,s :5 by 
?is ex]cise ( ! pres5ce ( ,,god we are )
  ,him :o is our end1 x is !n useless to
 return to ! means2 b we  may cont9ue ) 
,him our comm]ce ( love1 p]sev]+ 9 ,8   

holy  pres5ce1 "o :ile by an act (      
praise1 ( adoration or ( desire2  "o    
:ile by an act ( resignation or         
?anksgiv+2 & 9 all !  ways :i* our _s c 
inv5t4    ,be n disc\rag$ by !          
repugnance :i* y may f9d 9 x f  nature2 
y mu/ d y\rself viol5ce4 ,at ! fir/ "o  
(t5 ?9ks  x lo/ "t1 b y mu/ g on1 &     
resolve to p]sev]e 9 x to  dea?1 not)/&+
 all ! difficulties t may occur4 ,i     
recomm5d myself to ! pray]s ( y\r holy  
society1 & y\rs 9  p>ticul>4 ,i am1 9   
our ,,"l1    ,y\rs1 c4        ,,sev5?   
,,lett]4      ,i pity y mu*4 ,x w be (  
great importance if y c leave !  c>e (  
y\r affairs to ----1 & sp5d ! rema9d] ( 
y\r life  only 9 wor%ip+ ,,god4 ,he     
requires no great matt]s ( u2 a little  
remembrance ( ,him f "t to "t2 a little 
adoration2 sometimes to  pray = ,8      
grace1 sometimes to (f] ,him y\r        
suff]+s1 &  sometimes to return ,him    
?anks = ! favors ,he has giv5 y1 &  /ill
 gives y1 9 ! mid/ ( y\r tr\bles1 & to  
console  y\rself ) ,him ! (t5e/ y c4    

,lift up y\r he>t to ,him1  sometimes   
ev5 at y\r meals1 & :5 y are 9 company3 
! lea/  little remembrance w always be  
acceptable to ,him4 ,y ne$ n cry  v l\d2
 ,he is ne>] to u ?an we are aw>e (4    
,x is n necess>y = be+ ) ,,god to be    
always at *ur*3 we may  make an oratory 
( our he>t :]e9 to retire f "t to "t to 
conv]se ) ,him 9 meekness1 humility &   
love4 ,e "o is capable  ( su* famili>   
conv]sation ) ,,god1 "s m1 "s less3 ,he 
kn[s  :at we c d4 ,let u beg91 !n4      
,p]haps ,he expects b "o  g5]\s         
resolution on our "p4 ,h c\rage4 ,we h b
 little "t  to live2 y are ne>          
sixty-f\r1 & ,i am almo/ eighty4 ,let u 
live  & die ) ,,god4 ,suff]+s w be sweet
 & pleasant to u :ile we  are ) ,him2 & 
! greate/ pleasures w be1 )\t ,him1 a   
cruel  puni%m5t to u4 ,may ,he be bless$
 = all4 ,am54    ,accu/om y\rself1 !n1  
by degrees ?us to wor%ip ,him1 to beg ,8
  grace1 to (f] ,him y\r he>t f "t to "t
 9 ! mid/ ( y\r  bus9ess1 ev5 e mom5t1  
if y c4 ,d n always scrupul\sly  conf9e 

y\rself to c]ta9 rules1 or p>ticul> =ms 
( devotion1  b act ) a g5]al confid5ce 9
 ,,god1 ) love & humility4 ,y  may      
assure ---- ( my poor pray]s1 & t ,i am 
_! s]vant1 &  p>ticul>ly    ,y\rs 9 our 
,,"l1 c4        ,,eigh? ,,lett]4        
7,conc]n+ w&]+ ?\ghts 9 ,pray]47    ,y  
tell me no?+ new2 y are n ! only "o t is
 tr\bl$  ) w&]+ ?\ghts4 ,our m9d is     
extremely rov+2 b1 z !  w is mi/ress (  
all our faculties1 %e mu/ recall !m1 &  
c>ry  !m to ,,god z _! la/ end4    ,:5 !
 m9d1 = want ( be+ suffici5tly r$uc$ by 
recollection  at our fir/ engag+ 9      
devotion1 has contract$ c]ta9 bad habits
  ( w&]+ & dissipation1 !y are difficult
 to ov]come1 &  commonly draw u1 ev5    
aga9/ our wills1 to ! ?+s ( ! e>?4    ,i
 believe "o rem$y = ?is is to confess   
our faults1 & to humble  ourselves be=e 
,,god4 ,i d n advise y to use           
multiplicity ( words  9 pray]3 _m words 
& long disc\rses be+ (t5 ! occasions (  
w&]+4 ,hold y\rself 9 pray] be=e ,,god1 
l a dumb or  p>alytic begg> at a ri*    

man's gate4 ,let x be y\r bus9ess to    
keep y\r m9d 9 ! pres5ce ( ! ,,"l4 ,if x
 sometimes w&] &  )draw itself f ,him1 d
 n mu* disquiet y\rself = t3  tr\ble &  
disquiet s]ve r to di/ract ! m9d ?an to 
re-collect x3 ! w mu/ br+ x back 9      
tranquility4 ,if y  p]sev]e 9 ?is mann]1
 ,,god w h pity on y4    ,"o way to     
re-collect ! m9d easily 9 ! "t ( pray]1 
&  pres]ve x m 9 tranquility1 is n to   
let x w&] too f> at  o!r times3 y %\ld  
keep x /rictly 9 ! pres5ce ( ,,god2 &   
be+ accu/om$ to ?9k ( ,him (t51 y w f9d 
x easy to keep  y\r m9d calm 9 ! "t (   
pray]1 or at lea/ to recall x f  its    
w&]+s4    ,i h told y already at l>ge1 9
 my =m] lett]s1 ( !  advantages we may  
draw f ?is practice ( ! pres5ce ( ,,god3
 let  u set ab\t x s]i\sly1 & pray = "o 
ano!r4    ,y\rs1 c4        ,,n9?        
,,lett]4      ,! enclos$ is an answ] to 
t :i* ,i receiv$ f ----2 pray  deliv] x 
to h]4 ,%e seems to me full ( good w1 b 
%e w\ld g  fa/] ?an grace4 ,"o does n   
become holy all at once4 ,i recomm5d  h]

 to y3 we ought to help "o ano!r by our 
advice1 & yet m  by our good examples4  
,y w oblige me to let me he> ( h] f  "t 
to "t1 & :e!r %e be v f]v5t & v ob$i5t4 
,let u ?us ?9k (t5 t our only bus9ess 9 
?is life is to  please ,,god1 & t all   
besides is b folly & vanity4 ,y & ,i  h 
liv$ ab\t =ty ye>s 9 religion 7i4e41 a  
mona/ic life74  ,h we employ$ !m 9 lov+ 
& s]v+ ,,god1 :o by ,8 m]cy has  call$ u
 to ?is /ate & = t v end8 ,i am fill$ ) 
%ame  & confusion :5 ,i reflect on "o h&
 ^u ! great favors :i*  ,,god has done1 
& incessantly cont9ues to d me2 & on !  
o!r1  ^u ! ill use ,i h made ( !m1 & my 
small advancem5t 9 !  way ( p]fection4  
,s9ce by ,8 m]cy ,he gives u /ill a     
little "t1 let u beg9 9  e>ne/3 let u   
repair ! lo/ "t3 let u return ) a full  
assurance to t ,,fa!r ( m]cies1 :o is   
always ready to receive u               
affectionately4 ,let u r5\nce1 let u    
g5]\sly r5\nce1 = !  love ( ,him1 all t 
is n ,himself2 ,he des]ves inf9itely m4 
,let  u ?9k ( ,him p]petually4 ,let u   

put all our tru/ 9 ,him4 ,i d\bt  n b we
 %all soon f9d ! effects ( x 9 receiv+ !
  abundance ( ,8 grace1 ) :i* we c d all
 ?+s1 & )\t  :i* we c d no?+ b s94      
,we _c escape ! dang]s :i* ab\nd 9 life 
)\t ! actual  & cont9ual help ( ,,god3  
let u !n pray to ,him = x  cont9ually4  
,h[ c we pray to ,him )\t be+ ) ,him8   
,h[ c  we be ) ,him b 9 ?9k+ ( ,him (t58
 ,& h[ c we (t5  ?9k ( ,him1 b by a holy
 habit :i* we %\ld =m ( x8 ,y w  tell me
 t ,i am always say+ ! same ?+4 ,x is   
true1 = ?is  is ! be/ & easie/ me?od ,i 
"k2 & z ,i use no o!r1 ,i advise  all ! 
_w to d x4 ,we mu/ "k be=e we c love4 ,9
 ord]  to "k ,,god1 we mu/ (t5 ?9k (    
,him2 & :5 we come to  love ,him1 we    
%all !n also ?9k ( ,him (t51 = our he>t 
w  be ) our treasure4 ,?is is an argum5t
 :i* well des]ves y\r  consid]ation4    
,i am1 ,y\rs1 c4        ,,t5? ,,lett]4  
,i h _h a good deal ( difficulty to br+ 
myself to write to ,mr4  ----1 & ,i d x 
n[ purely because y & ,madam ---- desire
 me4  ,pray write ! directions & s5d x  

to him4 ,i am v well pleas$  ) ! tru/   
:i* y h 9 ,,god3 ,i wi% t ,he may       
increase x  9 y m & m4 ,we _c h too mu* 
9 s good & fai?ful  a ,fri5d1 :o w nev] 
fail u 9 ?is _w nor 9 ! next4    ,if    
,mr4 ---- makes 8 advantage ( ! loss he 
has _h1 & puts all  8 confid5ce 9 ,,god1
 ,he w soon give him ano!r fri5d1 m     
p[]ful & m incl9$ to s]ve him4 ,he      
disposes ( he>ts z ,he  pleases4 ,p]haps
 ,mr4 ---- 0 too mu* atta*$ to him he   
has lo/4 ,we  ought to love our fri5ds1 
b )\t encroa*+ ^u ! love due  to ,,god1 
:i* mu/ be ! pr9cipal4    ,pray rememb] 
:at ,i h recomm5d$ to y1 :i* is1 to ?9k 
(t5  on ,,god1 by day1 by night1 9 y\r  
bus9ess1 & ev5 9 y\r  div]sions4 ,he is 
always ne> y & ) y3 leave ,him n alone4 
,y w\ld ?9k x rude to leave a fri5d     
alone :o came to visit y3  :y !n mu/    
,,god be neglect$8 ,d n !n =get ,him1 b 
?9k on  ,him (t51 adore ,him cont9ually1
 live & die ) ,him2 ?is is !  glori\s   
employm5t ( a ,*ri/ian4 ,9 a ^w1 ?is is 
our pr(ession2  if we d n "k x1 we mu/  

le>n x4 ,i w endeavor to help y  ) my   
pray]s1 & am1 9 our ,,"l1 ,y\rs1 c4     
,,elev5? ,,lett]4      ,i d n pray t y  
may be deliv]$ f y\r pa9s1 b ,i pray    
,,god e>ne/ly t ,he w\ld give y /r5g? & 
pati5ce to be>  !m z long z ,he pleases4
 ,com=t y\rself ) ,him :o holds y  fa/5$
 to ! cross4 ,he w loose y :5 ,he ?9ks  
fit4 ,happy  ^? :o suff] ) ,him3 accu/om
 y\rself to suff] 9 t mann]1  & seek f  
,him ! /r5g? to endure z mu*1 & z long1 
z ,he  %all judge to be necess>y = y4 ,!
 m5 ( ! _w d n  compreh5d ^! tru?s1 nor 
is x to be wond]$ at1 s9ce !y  suff] l  
:at !y are1 & n l ,*ri/ians4 ,!y consid]
  sickness z a pa9 to nature1 & n z a   
favor f ,,god2 & see+  x only 9 t light1
 !y f9d no?+ 9 x b grief & di/ress4  ,b 
^? :o consid] sickness z com+ f ! h& (  
,,god1 z !  effect ( ,8 m]cy1 & ! means 
:i* ,he employs = _!  salvation--su*1   
commonly f9d 9 x great sweetness &      
s5sible  consolation4    ,i wi% y c\ld  
conv9ce y\rself t ,,god is (t5 79 "s    
s5se7  ne>] to u1 & m effectually pres5t

 ) u1 9 sickness ?an  9 heal?4 ,rely ^u 
no o!r ,physician2 =1 accord+ to my     
appreh5sion1 ,he res]ves y\r cure to    
,himself4 ,put1 !n1 all y\r  tru/ 9     
,him1 & y w soon f9d ! effects ( x 9 y\r
  recov]y1 :i* we (t5 ret>d by putt+    
great] confid5ce 9  physic ?an 9 ,,god4 
,:atev] rem$ies y make use (1 !y w      
succe$ only s f> z ,he  p]mits4 ,:5 pa9s
 come f ,,god1 ,he only c cure !m4 ,he  
(t5  s5ds diseases ( ! body to cure ^? (
 ! s\l4 ,com=t y\rself  ) ! sov]eign    
,physician bo? ( ! s\l & body4    ,be   
satisfi$ ) ! condition 9 :i* ,,god      
places y3 h[ev] happy  y may ?9k me1 ,i 
envy y4 ,pa9s & suff]+s w\ld be a       
p>adise  to me :ile ,i %\ld suff] ) my  
,,god2 & ! greate/ pleasures  w\ld be   
hell to me if ,i c\ld reli% !m )\t ,him4
 ,all my  consolation w\ld be to suff]  
some?+ = ,8 sake4    ,i mu/1 9 a little 
"t1 g to ,,god4 ,:at com=ts me 9 ?is    
life is1  t ,i n[ see ,him by fai?2 & ,i
 see ,him 9 su* a mann] z might  make me
 say sometimes1 ,i believe no m1 b ,i   

see4 ,i feel :at  fai? tea*es u1 & 9 t  
assurance & t practice ( fai?1 ,i  w    
live & die ) ,him4    ,cont9ue !n always
 ) ,,god3 x is ! only support & com=t = 
y\r affliction4 ,i %all besee* ,him to  
be ) y4 ,i pres5t my  s]vice4    ,y\rs1 
c4        ,,twelf? ,,lett]4      ,if we 
7 well accu/om$ to ! ex]cise ( ! pres5ce
 ( ,,god1  all bodily diseases w\ld be  
mu* alleviat$ !reby4 ,,god (t5  p]mits t
 we %\ld suff] a little to purify our   
s\ls & oblige  u to cont9ue ) ,him4     
,take c\rage3 (f] ,him y\r pa9s         
incessantly3 pray to ,him =  /r5g? to   
endure !m4 ,above all1 get a habit (    
ent]ta9+  y\rself (t5 ) ,,god1 & =get   
,him ! lea/ y c4 ,adore ,him  9 y\r     
infirmities1 (f] y\rself to ,him f "t to
 "t1 & 9  ! height ( y\r suff]+s1 besee*
 ,him humbly & affectionately  7z a *ild
 8 fa!r7 to make y con=mable to ,8      
holy-w4 ,i  %all endeavor to assi/ y )  
my poor pray]s4    ,,god has _m ways (  
draw+ u to ,himself4 ,he sometimes hides
 ,himself  f u1 b fai? alone1 :i* w n   

fail u 9 "t ( ne$1  ought to be our     
support1 & ! f\ndation ( our confid5ce1 
:i*  mu/ be all 9 ,,god4    ,i "k n h[  
,,god w dispose ( me4 ,i am always      
happy4 ,all !  _w suff]2 & ,i1 :o des]ve
 ! sev]e/ discipl9e1 feel joys s        
cont9ual & s great t ,i c sc>ce conta9  
!m4    ,i w\ld will+ly ask ( ,,god a "p 
( y\r suff]+s1 b t ,i  "k my weakness1  
:i* is s great1 t if ,he left me "o     
mom5t to  myself ,i %\ld be ! mo/ wret*$
 man alive4 ,& yet ,i "k n h[  ,he c    
leave me alone1 because fai? gives me z 
/rong a conviction  z s5se c d1 t ,he   
nev] =sakes u until we h fir/  =sak5    
,him4 ,let u fe> to leave ,him4 ,let u  
be always ) ,him4 ,let  u live & die 9  
,8 pres5ce4 ,d y pray = me1 z ,i = y4   
,i am1 ,y\rs1 c4        ,,?irte5?       
,,lett]4      ,to ! ,same4    ,i am 9   
pa9 to see y suff] s long4 ,:at gives me
 "s ease &  sweet5s ! feel+s ,i h = y\r 
griefs is1 t !y are pro(s  ( ,,god',s   
love t[>ds y4 ,see !m 9 t view & y w be>
  !m m easily4 ,z y\r case is1 x is my  

op9ion t y %\ld  leave (f human rem$ies1
 & resign y\rself entirely to !         
provid5ce ( ,,god3 p]haps ,he /ays only 
= t resignation & a  p]fect tru/ 9 ,him 
to cure y4 ,s9ce1 not)/&+ all y\r  c>es1
 physic has hi!rto prov$ unsuccessful1 &
 y\r malady /ill  increases1 x w n be   
tempt+ ,,god to ab&on y\rself 9 ,8  h&s1
 & expect all f ,him4    ,i told y 9 my 
la/ t ,he sometimes p]mits bodily       
diseases to  cure ! di/emp]s ( ! s\l4 ,h
 c\rage !n3 make a virtue (  necessity4 
,ask ( ,,god1 n deliv]ance f y\r pa9s1 b
 /r5g?  to be> resolutely1 = ! love (   
,him1 all t ,he %\ld please1  & z long z
 ,he %all please4    ,su* pray]s1 inde$1
 are a little h>d to nature1 b mo/      
acceptable  to ,,god1 & sweet to ^? t   
love ,him4 ,love sweet5s pa9s2 &  :5 "o 
loves ,,god1 "o suff]s = ,8 sake ) joy &
 c\rage4 ,d  y s1 ,i besee* y3 com=t    
y\rself ) ,him1 :o is ! only  ,physician
 ( all our maladies4 ,he is ! ,,fa!r ( !
 afflict$1  always ready to help u4 ,he 
loves u inf9itely m ?an we imag9e4      

,love ,him1 !n1 & seek no consolation   
else:]e4 ,i hope y w  soon receive x4   
,adieu4 ,i w help y ) my pray]s1 poor z 
!y  are1 & %all always be1 9 our ,,"l   
,y\rs1 c4        ,,f\rte5? ,,lett]4     
,to ! ,same4    ,i r5d] ?anks to our    
,,"l = hav+ reliev$ y a little1  accord+
 to y\r desire4 ,i h be5 (t5 ne> expir+1
 b ,i nev]  0 s mu* satisfi$ z !n4      
,accord+ly1 ,i did n pray = any  relief1
 b ,i pray$ = /r5g? to suff] ) c\rage1  
humility &  love4 ,ah1 h[ sweet x is to 
suff] ) ,,god6 ,h[ev] great !  suff]+s  
may be1 receive !m ) love4 ,x is p>adise
 to suff]  & be ) ,him2 s t if 9 ?is    
life we w\ld enjoy ! peace (  p>adise we
 mu/ accu/om ourselves to a famili>1    
humble1  affectionate conv]sation )     
,him4 ,we mu/ h9d] our spirits  w&]+ f  
,him ^u any occasion4 ,we mu/ make our  
he>t a  spiritual temple1 :]e9 to adore 
,him incessantly4 ,we mu/ wat*          
cont9ually ov] ourselves1 t we may n d1 
nor say1 nor ?9k  any?+ t may displease 
,him4 ,:5 our m9ds are ?us employ$  ab\t

 ,,god1 suff]+ w become full ( unction &
 consolation4    ,i "k t to arrive at   
?is /ate ! beg9n+ is v difficult1  = we 
mu/ act purely 9 fai?4 ,b ?\gh x is     
difficult1 we "k  also t we c d all ?+s 
) ! grace ( ,,god1 :i* ,he nev]  refuses
 to !m :o ask x e>ne/ly4 ,knock1 p]sev]e
 9 knock+1  & ,i answ] = x t ,he w op5  
to y 9 ,8 due "t1 &  grant y all at once
 :at ,he has def]r$ dur+ _m ye>s4       
,adieu6  ,pray to ,him = me1 z ,i pray  
to ,him = y4 ,i hope to see ,him        
quickly4    ,i am1 ,y\rs1 c4            
,,fifte5? ,,lett]4      ,to ! ,same4    
,,god kn[e? be/ :at is ne$ful = u1 & all
 t ,he does is =  our good4 ,if we knew 
h[ mu* ,he loves u1 we %\ld always be   
ready  to receive equally & ) indiff]5ce
 f ,8 ,h& ! sweet &  ! bitt]3 all w\ld  
please t came f ,him4 ,! sore/          
afflictions nev] appe> intol]able1      
except :5 we see !m 9 !  wrong light4   
,:5 we see !m z disp5s$ by ! h& ( ,,god1
 :5 we  "k t x is our lov+ ,,fa!r :o    
abases & di/resses u1 our  suff]+s w    

lose _! bitt]ness1 & become ev5 matt] ( 
consolation4    ,let all our employm5t  
be to "k ,,god3 ! m "o kn[s ,him1 !  m  
"o desires to "k ,him4 ,& z k is        
commonly !  measure ( love1 ! deep] & m 
ext5sive our k %all  be1 ! great] w be  
our love3 & if our love ( ,,god 7 great1
  we %\ld love ,him equally 9 pa9s &    
pleasures4    ,let u n cont5t ourselves 
) lov+ ,,god = ! m]e s5sible  favors1 h[
 elevat$ soev]1 :i* he has done1 or may 
d u4 ,su*  favors1 ?\gh nev] s great1 _c
 br+ u s ne> to ,him z fai?  does 9 "o  
simple act4 ,let u seek ,him (t5 by     
fai?4 ,he is )9  u3 seek ,him n else:]e4
 ,if we d love ,him alone1 are we n     
rude1  & d we n des]ve blame1 if we busy
 ourselves ab\t trifles :i*  d n please 
& p]haps (f5d ,him4 ,x is to be fe>$ ^! 
trifles w "o day co/ u de>4    ,let u   
beg9 to be devot$ to ,him 9 good e>ne/4 
,let u ca/  ev]y?+ besides out ( our    
he>ts4 ,he w\ld possess !m alone4 ,beg  
?is favor ( ,him4 ,if we d :at we c on  
our p>ts1 we %all soon  see t *ange     

wr\ght 9 u :i* we aspire aft]4 ,i _c    
?ank  ,him suffici5tly = ! relaxation   
,he has v\*saf$ y4 ,i hope f  ,8 m]cy ! 
favor to see ,him )9 a few days4#d ,let 
u pray =  "o ano!r4    ,i am1 9 our     
,,"l1 ,y\rs1 c4    ,,notes3    #a3 ,gal4
 i1 #aj2 ,eph4 vi1 #e1 #f4    #b3 ,!    
p>ticul>s :i* foll[ are collect$ f o!r  
acc\nts (  ,bro!r ,lawr5ce4    #c3 ,i   
suppose he means t all di/9ct notions he
 c\ld =m (  ,,god1 7 unsatisfactory1    
because he p]ceiv$ !m to be unwor?y (   
,,god2 & !re=e 8 m9d 0 n to be satisfi$ 
b by ! views  ( fai?1 :i* appreh5d ,,god
 z inf9ite & incompreh5sible1 z  ,he is 
9 ,himself1 & n z ,he c be conceiv$ by  
human ideas4    #d3 ,he took to 8 b$ two
 days aft]1 & di$ )9 ! week4