Letter IV. To a Young Lady who was Sick

Consolations.

8th February, 1 6 2 1.

These are great fires, my dearest child; fever, like a fire, burns your body j fire, like a fever, burns your house; but I hope that the fire of heavenly love so occupies your heart, that in all occasions you say, The Lord has given me my health and my house: the Lord has taken them away: as it has pleased the Lord, be it done, his holy name be blessed*

Yes, you say, but it impoverishes and inconveniences us greatly. Quite true, my dearest daughter; but, Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. f You should have before your eyes the suffering and the patience of Job, and regard that great prince on the dunghill. He had patience, and God at last doubled his temporal and increased a hundredfold his eternal goods.

You are a child of Jesus Christ crucified; what wonder then if you share his cross? / was silent, said David, and have not opened my mouth, because it is you, O Lord, who did it.% Oh! by how many difficult ways do we go to holy eternity! Throw all your confidence and solicitude on God: he will have care of you,§ and will hold out a favouring hand. Thus I pray

• Job L 21. f Matt. v. 3. \ Ps. xxxviii. 10.

§ Ps. liv. 23.

22o St. Francis de Sales.

him, with all my heart; and in proportion as he sends you tribulations, may he, in his holy care, strengthen you to bear them.