Third Conversation

He told me that the foundation of the spiritual life in him, had been a high notion and esteem of GOD in faith; which when he had once well conceived, he had no other care at first, but faithfully to reject every other thought, that he might perform all his actions for the love of GOD. That when sometimes he had not thought of GOD for a good while, he did not disquiet himself for it; but after having acknowledged his wretchedness to GOD, he returned to Him with so much the greater trust in Him, as he had found himself wretched through forgetting Him.

He told me that his spiritual life was founded on a deep sense of God’s greatness and a high regard for him, grounded in faith. Once he had firmly grasped this, his only concern at first was to faithfully reject every other thought, so that he could do everything for the love of God. Sometimes he went a long time without thinking of God, but he did not let that upset him. After acknowledging his wretchedness to God, he returned to him with even greater trust. His trust was greater because he had found himself wretched when he forgot God.

That the trust we put in GOD, honors Him much, and draws down great graces.

Our trust in God honors him greatly and brings us great blessings.

That it was impossible, not only that GOD should deceive, hut also that He should long let a soul suffer which is perfectly resigned to Him, and resolved to endure everything for His sake.

God could not deceive anyone. Nor could he let a soul suffer for long if it was fully surrendered to him and resolved to endure everything for his sake.

That he had so often experienced the ready succors of Divine Grace upon all occasions, that from the same experience, when he had business to do, he did not think of it beforehand; but when it was time to do it, he found in GOD, as in a clear mirror, all that was fit for him to do. That of late he had acted thus, without anticipating care; but before the experience above mentioned, he had used it in his affairs.

He had so often experienced the ready help of divine grace in every situation. Because of this, he no longer thought about his tasks beforehand. When it was time to act, he found in God, as in a clear mirror, everything he needed to do. Lately, he had acted this way, without worrying in advance. But before these experiences, he had worried about his affairs beforehand.

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.

When his daily activities distracted him a little from thoughts of God, God brought himself freshly to his mind. This filled his soul with such passion and joy that he could hardly contain himself.

That he was more united to GOD in his outward employments, than when he left them for devotion in retirement.

He was more united with God in his daily work than when he left it to pray in private.

That he expected hereafter some great pain of body or mind; that the worst that could happen to him was, to lose that sense of GOD which he had enjoyed so long; but that 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; and therefore that he feared nothing, and had no occasion to consult with anybody about his state. That when he had attempted to do it, he had always come away more perplexed; and that as he was conscious of his readiness to lay down his life for the love of GOD, he had no apprehension of danger. That perfect resignation to GOD was a sure way to heaven, a way in which we had always sufficient light for our conduct.

He expected to suffer great pain, either in body or mind, in the future. The worst that could happen was that he would lose the sense of God he had enjoyed for so long. But God's goodness assured him that God would not abandon him completely. God would give him strength to bear whatever suffering he allowed to happen to him. So he feared nothing and had no reason to consult anyone about his condition. Whenever he had tried to consult someone, he had always come away more confused. And because he knew he was ready to lay down his life for love of God, he feared no danger. Complete surrender to God was a sure way to heaven. On that path, we always had enough light to guide our actions.

That in the beginning of the spiritual life, we ought to be faithful in doing our duty and denying ourselves; but after that, unspeakable pleasures followed; that in difficulties we need only have recourse to JESUS CHRIST, and beg his grace; with that everything became easy.

At the beginning of the spiritual life, we should faithfully do our duty and deny ourselves. But afterward, unspeakable pleasures follow. In times of difficulty, we need only turn to JESUS CHRIST and ask for his grace. With his grace, everything becomes easy.

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. That this appeared plainly by their works, and was the reason why we see so little solid virtue.

Many people do not progress in the Christian life because they focus on penances and particular practices. They neglect the love of God, which is the goal. Their actions clearly show this, and it is the reason we see so little true virtue.

That there needed neither art nor science for going to GOD, but only a heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him, or for His sake, and to love him only.

No art or science is needed to go to God. All that is needed is a heart firmly determined to do nothing except for God or for his sake, and to love him alone.