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"he approved of the Nuns, which had been un"der the care and instruction of Father La Combe, finding them to come up fully to what he had "heard of them." From thence I took occasion to tell him "that in every thing he ought to resfer himself to his own breast, or to the instruc"tions there immediately received, and not to "others." He agreed to what I said, and acknowledged it to be right: And yet no sooner was he returned than so great was his weakness that he re-entered into his former dispositions. He sent the same Ecclesiastic to tell me that I must engage myself at Gex; and that it was his sentiment. I answered, that I was determined to follow the counsel he had given me, when he had spoke to me as from GOD, since now they made him speak only only as man.

MY

CHAP. VIII.

Y soul was in a state of entire resignation, and very great content, in the midst of such violent tempests. Those persons came to tell me a hundred extravagant stories against Father La Combe. The more they said to me to his disadvantage, the more esteem I felt for him, I answered them, "Perhaps I may never see him "again; but I shall ever be glad to do him justice. It is not he who hinders me from en"gaging at Gex. It is only because I know it to "be none of my vocation." They asked me, "Who could know that better than the Bishop?"" They farther told me, "I was under a decep"tion, and my state was good for nothing. This gave me no uneasiness, having referred to GOD the care of requiring, and of executing

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what he requires, and' in whatever manner he demands it.

A SOUL in this state seeks nothing for itself, but all for GOD. Some may say, "What then "does this soul?" It leaves itself to be conducted by GoD's providences and creatures. Outwardly its life seems quite common; inwardly, it is wholly resigned to the divine will. The more every thing appears adverse, and even desperate, the more calm it is, in spite of the annoyance and pain of the senses and of the creatures, which, for some time after the new life, raise some clouds and obstructions, as I have already signified. But when the soul is entirely passed into its original Being, all these things no more cause any separation or partition. It finds no more of that impurity which came from selfseeking, from a human manner of acting, from an unguarded word, from any warm emotion or eagerness, which caused such a mist, as it then could neither prevent nor remedy, having so often experienced its own efforts to be useless, and even hurtful, as they did nothing else but still more and more defile it. There is in such case no other way or means of remedy, but in waiting till the sun of righteousness dissipate those fogs, as the whole work of purification comes from GoD only. Afterwards this conduct becomes natural: And then the soul can say with the royal prophet, "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: Though war should rise against me, in him " will I confide." For then, though assaulted on every side by evil spirits, it continues fixed. as a rock. Having no will but for what GOD

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sees meet to order, be it what it may, high or low, great or small, sweet or bitter, honour, wealth, life or any other object, what can shake its peace? It is true, our nature is so crafty that it worms itself through every thing; and a selfish sight is like the basilisks; it destroys.

TRIALS are suited to the state of the soul, whether conducted by lights, gifts, or extasies, &c. or by the entire destruction of self in the way of naked faith. Both these states are found. in St. PAUL. He tells us," And lest I should "be exalted above measure, through the abun ❝ dance of revelations, there was given to me a "thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to "buffet me." He prayed thrice, and it was said to him, "My grace is sufficient for thee; "for any strength is made perfect in weakness." He proved also another state when he thus expressed himself, "Oh wretched man that I am! "Who shall deliver me from the body of this. "death?" To which he replies, "I thank "GOD, it is done through JESUS CHRIST Our "LORD." It is he who conquers death in us through his own life. Then there is no longer a sting in death, or thorn in the flesh, capable of paining or hurting any more,

AT first indeed, and for a pretty long time after, the soul sees that nature wants to take some part with it in its trials: And then its fidelity consists in withholding it, without allowing it the least indulgençe, till it leaves every thing to go on with GOD in purity as it comes from him. Till the soul be in this state, it always sullies, by its own mixture, the operation of GOD;

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like those rivulets which contract the corruption of the places they pass through; but, flowing in a pure place, they then remain in the purity of their source. Unless God through experience make known this guidance to the soul, it can never comprehend it.

OH if souls had courage enough to resign themselves to the work of purification, without having any weak and foolish pity on themselves, what a noble, rapid and happy progress would they make! But few are willing to lose the earth. If they advance some steps; as soon as the sea is ruffled, they are dejected, they cast anchor, and often desist from the prosecution of the voyage. Such disorders doth selfish interest and self-love occasion. It is of consequence not to look too much at one's own state, not to lose courage, not to afford any nourishment to selflove, which is so deep-rooted, that its empire is not easily demolished.-Often the idea which a man falsely conceives of the greatness of his advancement in divine experience makes him want it to be seen and known of men, and to wish to see the very same perfection in others. He conceives too low ideas of others, and too high of his own state. Then it becomes a pain to him to converse with people too human; whereas a soul truly mortified and resigned would rather converse with the worst, by the order of Providence, than with the best, of its own choice; wanting only to see or to speak to any as Providence directs, knowing well that all beside, far from helping, only hurt it, or at least prove very unfruitful to it.

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WHAT then renders this soul so perfectly con tent? It neither knows, nor wants to know, any thing but what GOD calls it to. Herein it enjoys divine content, after a manner vast, immense, independent of exterior events; more satisfied in its humiliation, and in the opposition of all creatures, by the order of Providence, than on the throne of its own choice.

OH thou who alone conductest these souls, and who canst teach ways so hidden and lost, so contrary to the usual spirit of devotion, which is full of itself and its own virtues ;--bring hither souls innumerable, which may love thee in the utmost purity. Every other love, however vchement and ardent, is not the pure love, but a love mixed with selfishness. These souls are the delight of GOD, who delights to be with the children of men, (Prov. 8. 31.) that is with souls child-like and innocent, such as are set free from pride, ascribing to themselves only nothingness and sin. They are one in GoD, to such a degree, that they look at him only, and every thing else in him. Beautiful is that passage of JEREMIAH, "He sitteth alone, and keepeth silence because " he hath borne his yoke upon him." (Lam. iii. 28.)

WHAT makes the perfection of one state, is only the weak and imperfect beginning of that which follows it, as in the mounting up from a lower class to a higher. The child's state has its beauties and charms in its season, as have all the succeeding stages of the divine life, when rightly disposed and directed. St. PAUL says, The Law was our School-master to bring us unto CHRIST. (Gal. iii. 29.) But when we are come

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