Letter XIV. To two Sisters

The Saint exhorts them to peace, gentleness, and concord.

Certainly, my dearest daughters, it requires only one letter for two sisters who have only one heart and one aim. How profitable it is for you, to hold thus one to another. This union of souls is like the precious ointment which was poured on the great Aaron* as the Psalmist King says, which was so mingled of several odorous perfumes, that all made only one scent and one sweetness: but I will, not dwell on this subject.

What God has joined in blood and in affection is indivisible, so long as this God reigns in us, and he will reign eternally. "Well then, my dearest daughters, live thus, sweet and amiable to all, humble and courageous, pure and sincere in everything. What better wish can I make for you? Be like spiritual bees which only keep honey and wax in their hives. Let your houses be all filled with sweetness, peace, concord, humility, and piety by your intercourse.

And believe, I beg, that the distance of place or of time shall never take away this tender and strong affection which our Lord has given me for your souls, which mine cherishes most perfectly and unchangeably. And as the difference of your conditions may require that sometimes I write to you in different ways, notwithstanding the unity of your design, I will another * Ps. cxxxii. 2.

time do so; but for the present I will content myself with telling and conjuring you to believe without doubting, my dearest daughters, that I am your, &c.