Letter V. To a Lord of the Court.*

The Saint rejoices that he preserves piety in the midst of the Court.

Anneey, 12th September, 16 14.

I have no greater glory in this world, Monsieur my son, than to be named father of such a son, and no sweeter consolation than to see the pleasure you take in it; but I will not say any more on this subject, which indeed is beyond my speech.

It is enough that God does me this grace, which is every day more delicious to me, as I am being told on every hand that you live in God, although amid this world.

• Probably the Baron de Lux.

O Jesus, my God! what happiness to have a son who knows how to sing so beautifully the songs of Sion in the land of Babylon! The Israelites excused themselves formerly from this, because not only were they among the Babylonians, but also captives and slaves of the Babylonians; but he who is not in the slavery of the court, he can even in the court adore the Lord and serve him holily.

No indeed, my dearest son, though you may change place, occupations and society, you will never, I trust, change your heart, nor your heart its love, nor your love its object; since you could not choose either a worthier love for your heart, or a worthier object for your love than him who will make it eternally happy. Thus the variety of the faces of court and world will make no change in yours. Your eyes will ever regard heaven, to which you aspire, and your mouth will ever demand the sovereign good which you hope to have there.

But think, I beg you, my dear son, what an incomparable joy it would have been to me to get near you on the opportunity of this meeting of the Estates (of Burgundy), to be able to speak to you with that new confidence which these names of father and of son would have given me. Still God not wishing it, since he allows me to be tied here, neither you nor I ought to wish it. You will then be my Josne there and will fight for the cause of God actually; and as for me I will be here like another Moses, and will hold up my hands to heaven, imploring for you the

Divine mercy, that you may overcome the difficulties your good intention will meet.

Ask you henceforth to love me, I will not, since I can say. it to you more briefly and expressively; be then my true son, with all your heart, sir, as I am with all mine, not only your very humble and obedient servant, but your father, inimitably affectionate, &c.