Letter (number unidentified). To Father Gracian, Seville, Toledo, October 23, 1576

True prayer. Laurencia detects the devifs plots. Prayer of Sisters San yeronimo and Beatriz. Father Gradan s sermons.

. . . DO not suppose that one who suffers does not pray; he prays, since he offers his sufferings to God, and often far better than one who is racking his brains in solitude and who fancies, if he manages to wring out a few tears, that this is true prayer.

Will your Paternity forgive this long message to Paul; you will bear with it because of your affeólion for him. If you think I am right, repeat it to him; if not, say nothing about it. I have stated what I wish for myself: I assure you that good works and a clear conscience are great things.

I was amused at the behaviour of Father Joannes. Perhaps God may draw good from the harm at which the devil was aiming. However, the greatest caution is needed as doubtless he will leave nothing undone that may injure Eliseus, so that the latter may well attribute the events to the cloven hoof.' I really think it would be best to ignore

VOL. II. 8 such matters for if Joannes ought to atone for his deeds, God has sent him suffering enough. He was not a(fling alone and the three who helped him soon paid the penalty.

Joseph said distindlly that Clemente was guiltless; that if he was in fault his illness was to blame for it, and that he was living peacefully in the country where he had been sent. Joseph had warned him of these trials. Laurencia knew nothing from Joseph and only learnt what people were saying from other quarters. I do not think that Joseph would disclose such secrets, being very prudent. In my opinion, this father is misjudged, and the more I hear of his saying elsewhere things that Laurencia cannot verify, the more I susped: that the invention comes from the cloven hoofs. I was amused at seeing where the evil one was about to spread his nets, for why else did he want to withdraw Clemente from these beatas for the good of his soul? It is well to ask the angel to set Clemente at liberty but I should be glad if the devil were driven out of the house by the usual means. Watch carefully, and you will catch sight

Pateta is used.

of his claws. I will pray, and Angela will tell you what she thinks about it in another letter. It was extremely wise of you to treat of the matter under the seal of confession.

As for Sister San Jerónimo, she must be made to eat meat for a few days and give up prayer. Let your Reverence bid her speak of the latter to no one but yourself, or let her write to me, for she has a strong imagination and fancies that she sees and hears what she is meditating upon, but at times it may be true, as it has been, for she is a very good soul. I think the same of Beatriz although what they relate as happening at the time of her profession seems to me genuine, not false. She ought not to fast much will your Reverence tell the prioress that both sisters must be kept from mental prayer occasionally and set to other work lest worse should happen. Believe me there is need for it.

I was sorry the letters were lost; you do not say