Fourteenth Letter
To enjoy the peace of paradise in this life, we must accustom ourselves to a familiar, humble, affectionate conversation with God, suffering with Him and pleasing Him in all things.
Brother Lawrence preaches about the importance of gratitude for God's mercies, sharing his own experience of finding relief and consolation in suffering near death. He emphasizes the sweetness of suffering with God, encouraging love and humility in times of trials. Brother Lawrence highlights the need for a constant, affectionate relationship with God, turning our hearts into a spiritual temple for continuous adoration. He assures that with faith and perseverance in seeking God's grace, we can find unction and consolation in our sufferings.
Text
Gratitude, for mercies to his correspondent, and measure of relief while he has himself been near death, but with consolation in his suffering.
I RENDER thanks to our LORD, for having relieved you a little, according to your desire. I have been often near expiring, though I was never so much satisfied as then. Accordingly I did not pray for any relief, but I prayed for strength to suffer with courage, humility, and love. Ah, how sweet is it to suffer with GOD! however great the sufferings may be, receive them with love. '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: we must hinder our spirits wandering from Him upon any occasion: we must make our heart a spiritual temple, wherein to adore Him incessantly: we must watch continually over ourselves, that we may not do, nor say, nor think anything that may displease Him. When our minds are thus employed about GOD, suffering will become full of unction and consolation.
I know that to arrive at this state, the beginning is very difficult; for we must act purely in faith. But though it is difficult, we know also that we can do all things with the grace of GOD, which He never refuses to them who ask it earnestly. Knock, persevere in knocking, and I answer for it that He will open to you in His due time, and grant you all at once what He has deferred during many years. Adieu. Pray to Him for me, as I pray to Him for you. I hope to see Him quickly.
Sermon Outline
- The Value of Suffering with God
- Gratitude and Relief
- The Importance of Courage, Humility, and Love
- Accustoming Ourselves to a Conversation with God
Key Quotes
“''Tis paradise to suffer and be with Him;” — Brother Lawrence
“Ah, how sweet is it to suffer with GOD!” — Brother Lawrence
“We can do all things with the grace of GOD, which He never refuses to them who ask it earnestly.” — Brother Lawrence
Application Points
- We must make our heart a spiritual temple, wherein to adore God incessantly.
- We must watch continually over ourselves, that we may not do, nor say, nor think anything that may displease Him.
- We must persevere in prayer, knocking on God's door until He opens to us and grants us His peace.