A Collection of Letters

Endeavour only to keep yourself stedfast to God, and in peace with your neighbour. When this is done, all shall go well in due time.

I am extremely weary of conversing with men, desiring your release, to the end I may remain alone with God. For I am no longer able to deal with men; since they understand not what I say—much less do they know me.

They cannot bear with that spirit of justice and truth which God has given me; and for my part, I cannot endure their iniquities, which they sometimes fancy to be virtues. Thus my soul is in a continual war, from which I would fain be delivered; seeing it hinders me from hearing the voice of God—who speaks continually, if one were always attentive.

You must never do nor omit anything for this only reason—because I say so, or because you would humour me. This were to make yourself a slave; whereas God has created you free.

Do—or leave undone—those things that are good and convenient only for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. If I say anything that is not of this nature, never do it; nor do anything merely because I say it, but solely because the thing is good in itself. For a blind belief is never good for anything.

We ought always to ask of God after what manner, and at what time, we should put in execution what we know to be His will—lest by too great forwardness we make a thing become bad that is very good in itself.