Letter XIII. To the Same

Advantage of interior trials for perfection. — God communicates himself in afflictions rather than in consolations.

Exaltation of the Cross, September 14th, 1606.

Do not distress yourself about me in all these matters you write of; for, you see, it is with me as it was once with Abraham. A deep sleep fell upon him in a dark mist, in some fearful place, and a great and darksome horror seized upon Mm;* but it was only for a short time, for suddenly he saw a lamp of fire, and heard the voice of God promising his benedictions. My spirit certainly lives amid your darknesses and temptations, for it closely accompanies yours; the account of your troubles touches me with compassion; but I clearly see that the end of them will be happy, since our good God is advancing us in his school, in which you are more on the alert than at another time. Only write to me with open heart about your ills and your goods; and put yourself in no anxiety, for my heart is equal to all.

Courage, my dear child, let us keep on, keep on, all

• Gen. xv. 12, 17.

through these low valleys; let us live with the cross in our arms, with humility and patience.

What does it matter whether God speaks to us amid thorns or amid flowers. Indeed, I do not remember that he has ever spoken amid flowers, though several times in deserts and thorny bushes. Go on then, my dear child, and make progress during this bad weather and this night. Above all, write very sincerely to me: this is the great command — to speak to me with open heart, for on this depends all the rest. Shut your eyes to any feeling you might have about my peace, which, believe me, I shall never lose through you, as long as I see your heart firm in its desire to serve God, and never, never, please God, shall I see you otherwise; so give yourself no trouble about that.

Be brave, my dear child, we shall get on, with God's help, and believe me this weather is better for a journey than if the sun were melting us with its burning heats. I saw the bees, the other day, staying quietly in their hives, because the air was foggy: they went out now and then to see how the weather was getting on, but they did not hasten out, occupying themselves with feeding on their honey. O God! courage: light is not under our control, nor any consolation save what depends on our own will. But so long as this is under the shelter of the holy resolutions we have made, and the grand seal of the heavenly Chancery is on your heart, there is nothing to fear.

I will tell you two words about myself. For some days I was half-ill. A day's rest has cured me; I have a good heart, thank God, and hope to make it still better, as you wish.

My God! with what consolation do I read the words in which you say that you wish my soul perfection almost more than your own. That is a true spiritual daughter! But let your imagination fly as far as it likes, it will never get as far as my will carries me in wishing you the love of God.

The bearer starts at once; and I must go to make an exhortation to our Penitent s-of-the-crucifix. I can say no more except a blessing; I give it you then in the name of Jesus Christ crucified. May his cross be our glory and our consolation, my dear child! May it be lifted up among us, and planted on our head, as it was on that of the first Adam! May it fill our heart and our soul, as it filled the soul of St. Paul, who knew nothing else. Courage, my child, God is for us, Amen. I am all yours, immortally; and God knows it, who has willed it so, and has effected it; with his own sovereign and personal hand.