CHAPTER VHL

My soul was in a state of entire resignation, and
very great content, in the midst of such violent tem¬
pests. Those persons came to tell me a hundred
extravagant stories against Father La Combe. The
more they said to me to his disadvantage, the more
esteem I felt for him. I answered them, “Perhaps I
may never see him again, but I shall ever be glad to
do him justice. It is not he who hinders me from
engaging at Gex. It is only because I know it to be
none of my vocation.” They asked me, “Who could
know that better than the Bishop ? ” They farther told
me, “ I was under a deception, and my state was good
for nothing.” This gave me no uneasiness, having
referred to God the care of requiring, and of executing
what he requires, and in whatever manner he de¬
mands it.

A soul in this state seeks nothing for itself, but all
for God. Some may say, “What, then, does this soul?”
It leaves itself to be conducted by God’s providences
and creatures. Outwardly, its life seems quite com¬
mon; inwardly, it is wholly resigned to the divine wilL
The more everything appears adverse, and even des¬
perate, the more calm it is, in spite of the annoyance
and pain of the senses and of the creatures, which, for
some time after the new life, raise some clouds and
obstructions, as I have already signified. But when
the soul is entirely passed into its original Being, all

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these things no more cause any separation or partition.
It finds no more of that impurity which came from
self-seeking, from a human manner of acting, from an
unguarded word, from any warm emotion or eagerness,
which caused such a mist, as it then could neither
prevent nor remedy, having so often experienced its
own efforts to be useless, and even hurtful, as they did
nothing else but still more and more defile it. There
is in such case no other way or means of remedy, but
in waiting till the Sun of Bighteousness dissipate those
fogs, as the whole work of purification comes from God
only. Afterwards this conduct becomes natural; and
then the soul can say with the royal prophet, “ Though
an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not
fear. Though war should rise against me, in him will
I confide.” For then, though assaulted on every side,
it continues fixed as a rock. Having no will but for
what God sees meet to order, be it what it may, high
or low, great or small, sweet or bitter, honor, wealthy
life, or any other object, what can shake its peace ? It
is true, our nature is so crafty that it worms itself
through everything; and a selfish sight is like the
basilisk’s, it destroys.

Trials are suited to the state of the soul, whether
conducted by lights, gifts, or ecstasies, &c., or by the
entire destruction of self in the way of naked faith.
Both these states are found in St. Paul. He tells us,
“And lest I should be exalted above measure, through
the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a
thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet
me.” He prayed thrice, and it was said to him, “My
grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made
perfect in weakness.” He proved also another state

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when he thus expressed himself, “Oh, wretched man
that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?” To which he replies, “I thank God, it is
done through Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is he who
conquers death in us through his own life. Then there
is no longer a sting in death, or thorn in the flesh, capa¬
ble of paining or hurting any more.

At first indeed, and for a pretty long time after, the
soul sees that nature wants to take some part with it
in its trials; and then its fidelity consists in withhold¬
ing it, without allowing it the least indulgence, till it
leaves everything to go on with God in purity as it
comes from him. Till the soul be in this state, it
always sullies, by its own mixture, the operation of God;
like those rivulets which contract the corruption of the
places they pass through, but, flowing in a pure place,
they then remain in the purity of their source. Unless
God through experience, makes known his guidance to
the soul, it can never comprehend it.

Oh, if souls had courage enough to resign them¬
selves to the work of purification, without having any
weak and foolish pity on themselves, what a noble,
rapid and happy progress would they make ! But few
are willing to lose the earth. If they advance some
steps, as soon as the sea is ruffled they are dejected;
they cast anchor, and often desist from the prosecution
of the voyage. Such disorders doth selfish interest
and self-love occasion. It is of consequence not to look
too much at one’s own state, not to lose courage, not to
afford any nourishment to self-love, which is so deep-
rooted, that its empire is not easily demolished. Often
the idea which a man falsely conceives of the greatness
of his advancement in divine experience, makes him

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want it to be seen and known of men, and to wish to
see the very same perfection in others. He conceives
too low ideas of others, and too high of his own state.
Then it becomes a pain to him to converse with people
too human; whereas, a soul truly mortified and resigned
would rather converse with the worst, by the order of
Providence, than with the best, of its own choice;
wanting only to see or to speak to any as Providence
directs, knowing well that all beside, far from helping,
only hurt it, or at least prove very unfruitful to it.

What, then, renders this soul so perfectly content ?
It neither knows, nor wants to know, anything but
what God calls it to. Herein it enjoys divine content,
after a manner vast, immense, and independent of
exterior events; more satisfied in its humiliation, and
in the opposition of all creatures, by the order of Prov¬
idence, than on the throne of its own choice.

It is here that the apostolic life begins. But do all
reach that state? Very few, indeed, as far as I can
comprehend. There is a way of lights, gifts and graces,
a holy life in which the creature appears all admirable.
As this life is more apparent, so it is more esteemed of
such, at least, as have not the purest light. The souls
which walk in the other path are often very little
known, for a length of time, as it was with Jesus Christ
himself, till the last years of his life. Oh, if I could
express what I conceive of this state ! But I can only
stammer about it.

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