SECOND CONVERSATION.

That he had always been governed by love, without selfish views; and that having resolved to make the love of god the end of all his actions, he had found reasons to be well satisfied with his method.  That he was pleased when he could take up a straw from the ground for the love of god, seeking Him only, and nothing else, not even His gifts.

That he had been long troubled in mind from a certain belief that he should be damned; that all the men in the world could not have persuaded him to the contrary; but that he had thus reasoned with himself about it:  I engaged in a religious life only for the love of god, and I have endeavored to act only for Him; whatever becomes of me, whether I be lost or saved, I will always continue to act purely for the love of god. I shall have this good at least, that till death I shall have done all that is in me to love Him.  That this trouble of mind had lasted four years; during which time he had suffered much.  But that at last he had seen that this trouble arose from want of faith; and that since then he had passed his life in perfect liberty and continual joy.  That he had placed his sins betwixt him and god, as it were, to tell Him that he did not deserve His favors, but that god still continued to bestow them in abundance.

That in order to form a habit of conversing with god continually, and referring all we do to Him, we must at first apply to Him with some diligence:  but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty.

That he expected after the pleasant days god had given him, he should have his turn of pain and suffering; but that he was not uneasy about it, knowing very well, that as he could do nothing of himself, god would not fail to give him the strength to bear it.

That when an occasion of practicing some virtue offered, he addressed himself to god, saying, Lord, I cannot do this unless Thou enablest me:  and that then he received strength more than sufficient.

That when he had failed in his duty, he only confessed his fault, saying to god, I shall never do otherwise, if You leave me to myself; it is You who must hinder my falling, and mend what is amiss.  That after this, he gave himself no further uneasiness about it.

That we ought to act with god in the greatest simplicity, speaking to Him frankly and plainly, and imploring His assistance in our affairs, just as they happen.  That god never failed to grant it, as he had often experienced.

That he had been lately sent into Burgundy, to buy the provision of wine for the society, which was a very unwelcome task for him, because he had no turn for business, and because he was lame and could not go about the boat but by rolling himself over the casks.  That however he gave himself no uneasiness about it, nor about the purchase of the wine.  That he said to god, It was His business he was about, and that he afterwards found it very well performed.  That he had been sent into Auvergne, the year before, upon the same account; that he could not tell how the matter passed, but that it proved very well.