Letter XVIII. To Mother de Chantal

Human prudence not to be followed in accepting subjects. His tender love for souls: he would have them strong.

Probably about 1620.*

MY VERY DEAR MOTHER — In this matter of the reception of sisters which you write to me about, there is an extreme danger* lest one should throw oneself too much on human prudence, lest one should rest too much on nature, and too little on God's grace. I have a ' difficulty in preventing people from considering weakness of constitution and corporal infirmities. One would have neither the one-eyed, nor the lame, nor the sickly enter into the marriage feast. In short, it is very hard to fight against the human spirit, for abjection and pure charity. I add then this word, my dear mother, to tell you that according to your order I have written to our Sister de N. lovingly; and I assure you, my dear mother, I do so with all my heart, for I love this poor daughter with a perfect heart. But it is a strange thing! There are no souls in the world, as I think, who love more cordially, tenderly, and (to speak in all sincerity) more lovingly than I; and I even somewhat abound in afiectionateness, and words there-

of, particularly at the beginning. You know that it is according to the truth and the variety of this true love which I have for souls; for it has pleased God to make my heart so: but still I like souls that are inde pendent, vigorous, and not feminine; for such great tenderness disturbs the heart, disquiets it, distracts it from loving prayer to God, hinders entire resignation and the perfect death of self-love. That which is not God is for us nothing. How can it be that I feel this, I who am the most affectionate person in the world, as you know, my dear mother? Yet in truth I do feel it; but it is a marvel how I reconcile it all together; for it is my idea that I love nothing at all but God, and all souls for God. Ah! Lord God, do yet this grace to my whole soul that it may be in you solely. My dear mother, this discourse is unending. Live joyously, wholly full of God and of his love. Good night, my dearest mother. I feel this unity which God has made, with an extraordinary power.