The first time I saw _Brother Lawrence_, was upon the 3d of August,
1666. He told me that GOD had done him a singular favor, in his
conversion at the age of eighteen.
That in the winter, seeing a tree stripped of its leaves, and
considering that within a little time the leaves would be renewed and
after that the flowers and fruit appear, he received a high view of
the Providence and Power of GOD, which has never since been effaced
from his soul. That this view had perfectly set him loose from the
world, and kindled in him such a love for GOD, that he could not tell
whether it had increased during the more than forty years he had lived
since.
That he had been footman to M. Fieubert, the treasurer, and that he
was a great awkward fellow who broke everything.
That he had desired to be received into a monastery, thinking that he
would there be made to smart for his awkwardness and the faults he
should commit, and so he should sacrifice to GOD his life, with its
pleasures: but that God had disappointed him, he having met with
nothing but satisfaction in that state.
That we should establish ourselves in a sense of GOD'S Presence, by
continually conversing with Him. That it was a shameful thing to quit
His conversation, to think of trifles and fooleries.
That we should feed and nourish our souls with high notions of GOD;
which would yield us great joy in being devoted to Him.
That we ought to _quicken_, i.e., _to enliven, our faith_. That it was
lamentable we had so little; and that instead of taking _faith_ for
the rule of their conduct, men amused themselves with trivial
devotions, which changed daily. That the way of Faith was the spirit
of the Church, and that it was sufficient to bring us to a high degree
of perfection.
That we ought to give ourselves up to GOD, with regard both to things
temporal and spiritual, and seek our satisfaction only in the
fulfilling of His will, whether he lead us by suffering or by
consolation, for all would lie equal to a soul truly resigned. That
there needed fidelity in those dryness, or insensibilities and
irksomenesses in prayer, by which GOD tries our love to him; that
_then_ was the time for us to make good and effectual acts of
resignation, whereof one alone would oftentimes very much promote our
spiritual advancement.
That as for the miseries and sins he heard of daily in the world, he
was so far from wondering at them, that, on the contrary, he was
surprised that there were not more, considering the malice sinners
were capable of; that for his part he prayed for them; but knowing
that GOD could remedy the mischiefs they did when He pleased, he gave
himself no farther trouble.
That to arrive at such resignation as GOD requires, we should watch
attentively over all the passions which mingle as well in spiritual
things as in those of a grosser nature; that GOD would give light
concerning those passions to those who truly desire to serve Him. That
if this was my design, viz., sincerely to serve GOD, I might come to
him (B. Lawrence) as often as I pleased, without any Fear of being
troublesome; but if not, that I ought no more to visit him.