Eighth Letter

To Madame

Madame, — We have a God Who is infinitely gracious, and knows all our wants. I always thought that He would reduce you to extremity. He will come in His own time, and when you least expect it. Hope in Him more than ever: thank Him with me for the favours He does you, particularly for the fortitude and patience which He gives you in your afflictions; it is a plain mark of the care He has for you; comfort yourself therefore with Him, and give thanks for all.

I admire also the fortitude and bravery of M. de. God has given him a good dis- position, and a good will; but there is in him still a little of the world and a great deal of youth. I hope that the affliction, which God has sent him, will prove to him a wholesome medicine, and make him take stock of himself. It is an occasion very proper to engage him to put all his confidence in Him, Who accompanies him everywhere: let him think of Him the oftenest he can, especially in the greatest dangers.

A little lifting up of the heart suffices; a little remembrance of God, one act of inward worship, though upon a march and sword in hand, are prayers which, however short, are 45 nevertheless very acceptable to God; and far from lessening a soldier’s courage, they best serve to fortify it

Let him think then of God the most he can. Let him accustom himself by degrees to this small but holy exercise; nobody perceives it, and nothing is easier than to repeat often in the day these little acts of inward worship. Recommend to him, if you please, that he think of God the most he can, in the manner here directed: it is very fit and most necessary for a soldier, who is daily exposed to dangers of life and often of his salvation. I hope that God will assist him and all the family, to whom I present my service, being theirs and in particular, — Yours, etc.

October 12 th> 1688