Letter XLIII. To a Lady

Of piety in the midst of afflictions.

Annecy, 28th April, 1622. May it please the Holy Spirit to inspire me with what I have to write to you, Madam, and, if you please,

• John viii. 44.

dearest daughter. To live constantly in devotion there is only need to establish in our mind strong and excellent maxims.

The first to establish in yours is that of St. Paul. To them that love God, all things work together unto good* And in truth, since God can and does draw good from evil, for whom will he do so if not for those who, without reserve, have given themselves to him? Yes, even sins (from which God by his goodness defend us!) are overruled by Divine Providence, unto the good of those who are his. Never would David have been so crowned with humility if he had not sinned, nor Magdalen so amorous of her Saviour if he had not forgiven her so many sins, and he would not have for-given them, if she had not committed them.

Behold, my dear daughter, this great craftsman (artisan) of mercy; he alters our miseries into graces, and makes the salutary theriacumf of our souls from the viper of our iniquities. Tell me, then, what will he not do with our afflictions, with our labours, with the persecutions used against us? If then it ever happens that any pain touches you, from any quarter whatever, assure your soul that if it truly loves God, all will turn unto good. And though this " good " works by springs which you do not see, remain all the more assured that it will come. If God puts the clay of ignominy on your eyes, it is to give you excellent

• Eom. viii. 28.

f A medicine in which one of the ingredients was the head of the viper. It was used against poisons.

sight, and to make you a spectacle of honour. If God lets you fall down, like St. Paul, whom he struck to the earth, it is to lift you up into glory.

The second maxim is, that he is your Father: for otherwise, he would not order you to say: Our Father, who art in heaven. And what have you to fear, who are daughter of such a father, without whose providence not a single hair of your head shall perish. It is a marvel that being child of such a father, we have or can have other care than to love and serve him well. Take the pains he would have you take about your person and your family, and no more; for you will see that he will have care of you. Think in me, he said to St. Catharine of Sienna (whose feast we keep to day) and I will think in thee. 0, Eternal Father! says the wise Man, your providence governs all*

The third maxim you must have is that which our Lord taught to his Apostles. Did gou want anything?f Look, my dear daughter; our Lord had sent his Apostles up and down, without money, without staff, without shoes, without scrip, with but one coat, — and afterwards he said to them, When I sent you so, did you want anything? But they said: nothing. And now, my child, when you have had afflictions, even in the time when you had not so much confidence in God, did you perish in the affliction? You will tell me: no. And why then will you not have courage to come safely out of all other adversities? God has not abandoned you up to now, will he * Wisdom xiv. 3. f Luke xxii. 35.

abandon you from this time, when more than formerly you would be his? Fear not future evils of this world, for perhaps they will never happen; and in any case, if they do happen, God will strengthen you. He ordered St. Peter to walk on the waters, and St, Peter, seeing the wind and the storm, was afraid, and the fear made him sink, and he begged help from his master, who said to him: Man of little faith, why didst thou doubt?* And giving his hand he reassured him. If God makes you walk on the waves of adversity, doubt not, my child; fear not, God is with you; have good courage, and you shall be delivered.

The fourth maxim is eternity. Little matters it what I am in these passing moments, if I am eternally in the glory of my God. My child, we move towards eternity, we have almost already one of our feet therein; if our eternity be happy, what matters it that these transitory moments be burdensome? Is it possible for us to know that our tribulations of three or four days work such a weight of eternal consolations, and to be unwilling to bear them? In fine, my dearest daughter,

What is not for eternity, Can nothing be but vanity.

The fifth maxim is that of the Apostle: God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. f Plant in your heart Jesus Christ crucified, and all the crosses of this world will seem roses to

• Mat. xiv. 31. t Gal vi. 14.

you. Those who are pricked with the thorns of the crown of our Lord who is our head,, scarcely feel other thorns.

You will find all I have said to you in the 3rd, 4th (or 5th), and last books of the Love of God. You will find many things about it in the Sinners' Guide (the large one) of Granada. I must conclude, for I am pressed for time. Write to me with confidence, and point out to me what you think I can do for your heart, and mine will give it very affectionately; for I am, in all truth, Madame, your, &c.