Letter 92. To a Lady

Annecy, Ftb. 8, 1621.

. • • • As to the fear of death and hell^ which troubles your soul, it is really a temptation of the enemy, but one which the Beloved of your soul will mercifully use to your advancement in purity and humility. If, with entire submission and resignation to His Providence, you put aside all self-seeking, even in spiritual things, and leave yourself absolutely in His Hands, He will either deliver you from this fear, or He will enable you so to bear it that you will eternally bless Him for it My dearest child, boastful thoughts, even such as are arrogant and self-sufficient, cannot harm a soul which repulses them as they arise, and which says by Francis de Sales, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in Glory.”* He adds, “God forbid that you should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”

® CoL hi. 3, 4. Gal. vi. 14. * Cot iil 3, 4.

daily with David, “ So foolish was I and ignorant, even as it were a beast before Thee, nevertheless I am always by Thee.” ‘ As though he would say, “Helpless and worse than nothing as I am in Thy Sight, O, Sole Good, I am full of trust in Thee, and my nothingness hopes all things from Thee.”

My dearest child, be at rest, notwithstanding all that troubles you. You are intellectually convinced that God is too Good to reject one who is no wilful hypocrite, whatever temptations or suggestions may arise. I will commend your needs to our All-Wise, All-Powerful God; do you bring your sighs to His Ear, and tell Him all your intentions. “I am Thine, save me.” He will do so, dear child. His Holy Name be blessed.

[All the letters, so far, are dated, and have been given in order up to the last year of S. Francis de Sales' life. There are other letters which bear no date, and which follow here; the chief of these are on subjects connected with the spiritual life, and the precise date at which they were written is not of special importance.]

*Fs. Ixxiii. 21, 22.

xcv.