By Brother Lawrence
‘Tis paradise to suffer and be with Him; so that if in this life we would enjoy the peace of paradise, we must accustom ourselves to a familiar, humble, affectionate conversation with Him.
Those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward even in sleep.
Perfect resignation to GOD was a sure way to heaven, a way in which we had always sufficient light for our conduct. That in the beginning of the spiritual life, we ought to be faithful in doing our duty and denying ourselves.
And I make it my business only to persevere in His holy presence, wherein I keep myself by a simple attention, and a general fond regard to GOD, which I may call an actual presence of GOD; or, to speak better, an habitual, silent, and secret conversation of the soul with GOD, which often causes in me joys and raptures inwardly.
A little lifting up the heart suffices; a little remembrance of God.
Our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing that for GOD’s sake, which we commonly do for our own.
He was more united to GOD in his outward employments, than when he left them for devotion in retirement.
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.
I keep myself retired with Him in the depth of 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.
That all possible kinds of mortification, if they were void of the love of GOD, could not efface a single sin. That we ought, without anxiety, to expect the pardon of our sins from the Blood of JESUS CHRIST, only endeavouring to love Him with all our hearts.
God has infinite treasure to bestow, and we take up with a little sensible devotion.
Hold yourself in prayer before God, like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man’s gate.
We must know before we can love. In order to know GOD, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure.
He is nearer to us than we are aware of.
That we should establish ourselves in a sense of GOD’s Presence, by continually conversing with Him.
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.
In the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess GOD in as great tranquillity as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament.
That there needed fidelity in those drynesses, 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.
The more one knows Him, the more one desires to know Him.
There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God.
MannaScroll