Sixth Letter

To the Same.

To the Same Person.

I have received from Mrs. ——, the things which you gave her for me. I wonder that you have not given me your thoughts of the little book I sent to you, and which you must have received. Pray set heartily about the practice of it in your old age: it is better late than never.

I received the things you gave Mrs. ___ for me. I wonder why you haven't told me what you think of the little book I sent you. You must have received it by now. Please put its teachings into practice wholeheartedly in your old age. It is better late than never.

I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of GOD. For my part. I keep myself retired with Him in the fund or centre of my soul as much as I can; and while I am so with Him I fear nothing, but the least turning from Him is insupportable.

I cannot imagine how religious people can be content without practicing the presence of God. For my part, I withdraw with him into the center of my soul as much as I can. While I am there with him, I fear nothing. But even the slightest turning away from him is unbearable.

This exercise does not much fatigue the body; it is, however, proper to deprive it sometimes, nay often; of many little pleasures which are innocent and lawful, for GOD will not permit that a soul which desires to be devoted entirely to Him should take other pleasures than with Him: that is more than reasonable.

This practice does not tire the body much. Even so, it is right to deny the body many small pleasures sometimes, even often, though they are innocent and lawful. For God will not allow a soul that wishes to be devoted entirely to him to take pleasure in anything apart from him. That is more than reasonable.

I do not say that therefore we must put any violent constraint upon ourselves. No, we must serve GOD in a holy freedom; we must do our business faithfully; without trouble or disquiet, recalling our mind to GOD mildly, and with tranquility, as often as we find it wandering from Him.

I do not mean that we must force ourselves harshly. No, we must serve God with holy freedom. We must do our work faithfully, without worry or anxiety. Whenever we find our minds wandering from God, we should gently and calmly turn them back to him.

It is, however, necessary to put our whole trust in GOD, laying aside all other cares, and even some particular forms of devotion, though very good in themselves, yet such as one often engages in unreasonably, because these devotions are only means to attain to the end. So when by this exercise of the presence of GOD we are with Him who is our end, it is then useless to return to the means; but we may continue with Him our commerce of love, persevering in His holy presence, one while by an act of praise, of adoration or of desire; one while by an act of resignation or thanksgiving; and in all the ways which our spirit can invent.

However, we must put our whole trust in GOD and set aside all other cares. We must even set aside some particular forms of devotion. Although these are good in themselves, we often practice them without good reason. This is because such devotions are only means to an end. So when we practice the presence of GOD, we are with him who is our end. Then there is no need to return to the means. Instead, we may continue our loving communion with him and remain in his holy presence. We may do this through praise, adoration, or longing, or through acceptance of his will or thanksgiving. We may also do it in any way our spirit can imagine.

Be not discouraged by the repugnance which you may find in it from nature; you must do yourself violence. At the first one often thinks it lost time, but you must go on, and resolve to persevere in it to death, notwithstanding all the difficulties that may occur. I recommend myself to the prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I am, in our LORD,

Do not be discouraged by the natural resistance you may feel toward it. You must force yourself to do it. At first, one often thinks it is a waste of time. But you must go on and resolve to persevere until death, despite all the difficulties that may arise. I ask for the prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I am, in our LORD,

Yours, &c.

Yours, etc.