I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of GOD.  For my part.  I keep myself retired with Him in the fund or centre of my soul as much as I can; and while I am so with Him I fear nothing, but the least turning from Him is insupportable.

This exercise does not much fatigue the body; it is, however, proper to deprive it sometimes, nay often; of many little pleasures which are innocent and lawful, for GOD will not permit that a soul which desires to be devoted entirely to Him should take other pleasures than with Him:  that is more than reasonable.

I do not say that therefore we must put any violent constraint upon ourselves.  No, we must serve GOD in a holy freedom; we must do our business faithfully; without trouble or disquiet, recalling our mind to GOD mildly, and with tranquility, as often as we find it wandering from Him.

It is, however, necessary to put our whole trust in GOD, laying aside all other cares, and even some particular forms of devotion, though very good in themselves, yet such as one often engages in unreasonably, because these devotions are only means to attain to the end.  So when by this exercise of the presence of GOD we are with Him who is our end, it is then useless to return to the means; but we may continue with Him our commerce of love, persevering in His holy presence, one while by an act of praise, of adoration or of desire; one while by an act of resignation or thanksgiving; and in all the ways which our spirit can invent.

Be not discouraged by the repugnance which you may find in it from nature; you must do yourself violence.  At the first one often thinks it lost time, but you must go on, and resolve to persevere in it to death, notwithstanding all the difficulties that may occur.  I recommend myself to the prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular.  I am, in our LORD,

Yours, &c.

SEVENTH LETTER.

I pity you much.  It will be of great importance if you can leave the care of your affairs to ——­, and spend the remainder of your life only in worshiping GOD.  He requires no great matters of us; a little remembrance of Him from time to time; a little adoration; sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, and sometimes to return Him thanks for the favors He has given you, and still gives you, in the midst of your troubles, and to console yourself with Him the oftenest you can.  Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes even at your meals, and when you are in company:  the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him.  You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of.