Letter 28. To Madame Brulart

yune2$, 1608,

You speak of your impatience. Is it real impatience, or only natural repugnance? But as you call it impatience, I will take for granted that it is such, and till I can talk with you more fully on the subject, I will tell you fireely that, judging from your letters, more than from the little conversation we have had, yours seems to me a heart which clings too vehemently to the objects it desires.

• Luke, xvi. la

S. FJ^ANCIS DE SALES.

I know that your chief desire is the Love of God, and to attain that we must make use of means, exercises, practices. Now I think that you cling vehemently to such means as are to your taste, and would have everything yield before them, so that you are uneasy when anything hinders or disturbs you. The remedy is to endeavour to rid yourself of this restless feeling; God would have you serve Him as you are, in actions suitable to the position to which He has called you; and while endeavouring to perform these, you must strive to accept both your actual position and the duties attached to it, for His Sake Who has called you to them. But, my dear sister, it is not enough merely to give a passing thought to this; it must abide in your heart, and be graven there by recoUectedness and meditation. Believe me, all that is opposed to this habit of mind is mere self-will.

As to Holy Communion, I approve of your wish to receive it frequently, so long as your wish is duly sub-mitted to your confessor, who is the best judge of the present state of your soul.

The fluctuations of your mind, both in and out of prayer, now earnest, then languid; one while attracted to the world, and the next disgusted at it; — ^all these are God^s way of rendering you very humble and gentle, for you see what you are of yourself, and what under the guidance of His Hand; but there is nothing in this which ought to discourage you I commend you continually to our Dear Lord; your progress is very near my heart, and I will remember you at the Holy Sacrifice.

CIS3-] XXX.