Letter XIII. To a Lady

On the way to correct human prudence.

I answer the question which the good Mother de Sainte-Marie (Chantal) has put to me from you, my dearest daughter. When human prudence mingles with our plans it is hard to keep it quiet, for it is wondrously importunate, and pushes itself violently and boldly into our affairs, in spite of ourselves.

What must we do in this matter in order that our intention may be purified? Let us see whether our design be lawful, just, and pious; and if it is, let us propose and determine to do it, in order not now to obey human prudence, but to accomplish in it the will of God.

We have, for instance, a daughter whom human prudence recommends to be placed in a convent, on account of the state of our family affairs, — well now, we will say in ourselves, not before men, but before God, "O Lord! I wish to offer you this daughter, because, such as she is she is yours; and though my human prudence induces and inclines me to this, yet, Lord, if I knew that it was not also your good pleasure, in spite of my inferior prudence, I would not do it at all, but would reject on this occasion this prudence which my heart feels, but which it desires not to consent to, and embrace your will, which my heart perceives not in feeling, but consents to in resolution."

Oh! my dearest child, at every turn the human spirit troubles us with its claims, and thrusts itself importunately amidst our affairs. We are not greater saints than the Apostle St. Paul, who felt two wills in the midst of his soul, the one which willed according to the old man, and worldly prudence, and this made itself most felt, and the other, which willed according to the Spirit of God. This latter was less felt, but still prevailed, and by it he lived. Whence, on the one hand, he cried out, 0, miserable man that I am, who will deliver me from, the body of this death?* and * Eom. vii. 24.

Letters to Mawied Women. 83 on the other he exclaimed, i" live no more myself, but Jesus Christ lives in me* And at almost every step we must make the resignation which our Lord has taught us: Not my will, but thine, 0 eternal Father, be done,f and then let human prudence clamour as much as it likes; for the work will no longer belong to it, and you may say to it as the Samaritans said to the Samaritan woman, after they had heard our Lord, It is now no more on account of thy word that we believe, but because we ourselves have seen and know. I It will be no longer by human prudence, though this may have excited the will, that you make this resolution, but because you know it pleases God. Thus, by the infusion of the divine will you will correct the human will.

Remain in peace, my dearest daughter, and serve God well in the pains and troubles of pregnancy and bringing forth, which you must also carry out according to his good pleasure. And I pray his sovereign goodness to heap blessings upon you, begging you to love me always in him and for him, who has rendered me in all truth your, &c.

• GaL ii. 20. t Luke xxii. 42.

J John iv. 42 v