Truth: 2018

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Greg Hunter

Greg Hunter - Christmas Message 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um0BtNBADP8

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Roman Catholic Church

What's Really Going On With An Abusive Roman Catholic Priest Traumatically Slapping A Baby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKyCSH_4HY0&feature=youtu.be

Clair Still Small Voice

PROOFS THAT STILL SMALL VOICE IS A VATICAN DECEPTIVE COINTELPRO MASONIC FRONT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DzUFANcPqM&feature=youtu.be

Thursday, April 19, 2018

BIG NAMES LISTED!! Whistle blower CIA Agent Gave Up Everything To UNDERCOVER The Shadow Government
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir-LtwZS_R8

https://www.johndenugent.com/serious-website-claims-trump-vp-choice-mike-pence-is-a-serial-child-molester-and-sex-murderer-conspiracy-of-silence-the-black-pedophile-and-buddy-of-bush-i/

Conspiracy of Silence - Full Banned Documentary (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=607&v=vBSIDQt5Dwc

https://googletrumpisachildrapist.com/2018/01/27/the-journey-begins/#comments

https://pedophilesdownunder.com/tag/billy-graham/
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Sunday, April 15, 2018

Sharon Johnson

Why the Average Christian Should STOP Going to "Church"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypVGY5JK6-s

NEVER Do These 10 Things With the Opposite Sex Whether Married Or Single
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZMYXDvzhA

http://www.motivatingu2win.com/

Understanding the School of the Holy Spirit PART 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZtrr0dfoFw

Understanding the School of the Holy Spirit - PART 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lptr3SAWz5A

Those Ray-Ray's Kids!!! 5 SIGNS of False Prophet, Apostle, Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist, Bishops
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb-Xp1Fzd60

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Bas Rijksen

http://trthndcptn.punt.nl/content/2015/05/Healing-the-Sick-made-SIMPLE-with-Warnings
False teacher Bas Rijksen promotes the use of the occult and unbiblical technique 'Treasure Hunting'. He also claims it is the will of God to always heal (in the Bible there are even apostles and disciples who got sick and were not miraculously healed!). Besides that he violates the privacy of people he encountered in the streets by giving private information (e.g. name, profession, location) about them and putting this on the world wide web.

Sunday, April 8, 2018

The Church System

it's the pastor of your church that only keeps two months of funds in their accounts because they are 501c3s

....................................

you never hear them talking about Child Trafficking, Pedos or SRA? Is this why you continuously see them covering up Crimes Against the Kids in the Churches?

A Ministry of Witchcraft: Todd White, Heidi Baker, John Bevere, Jesus School & More
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C04B2SnAbgw

https://youtu.be/X95Me2bHMqE

.................................
Fellowship - It's not about the building | Teaching Number 11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAM7UDa38Tk&t=14s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy3G5wwAJEs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zORnIhe5Fr8

...............
My Testimony for Jesus (Organized Church System, Holidays, Christmas, Easter Not of God)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMYJH0tXe5Y
10:30 Jesus speaking to her heart, 40:00 read bible cover to cover in 28 days. 42:00 Jesus had her throw out worldly movies. They had fornication in them, even love stories. Innocent love stories. 43:00 No Christmas, no Easter, they are from Satan. 52:00 out of church. 1:14:00

Completed: 10:00

God commanded me to come out of the Church system and stop celebrating christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO3ezfa35FQ
Same as above
.................................................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad2Q59ukqxM&t=2728s
Arise, Planet Shaker, 56:20 Bethel Music,
...............................
I Have Seen Lucifer In The Christian Church: Ex Occultist Reveals Hidden Truths!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br7uey7k-SQ

Why I Don't "Go To Church" Anymore (part 1/2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHpuWcRK7vg

Why I Don't "Go To Church" Anymore (part 2/2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoGbihOBSnE

Interview with Bas Rijksen: A Peek Into His Life And Missionary Work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84pN2WnHd0Y

The church system deception. My Testimony. Being awakened to truth and coming out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI6VlurH7BQ
12:40 Jesus confirmed. Stopped at 33:00

https://www.youtube.com/user/ImpulseSilvana

MY TESTIMONY How Jesus Called Me Out of the Organized Church System
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0XHpdvNeEU
6:30 tithing is not a requirement for new followers of Jesus.
www.MotivatingU2Win.com

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/b41e73_3a869ddb22724d66ae41edf94d62c34a.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMcjivbuRCc

Amazing Encounters with Angels, Demons & Heaven! | Henry Gruver on Sid Roth's It's Supernatural!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omb7Za59PUQ

Brian Moonan

Exposing Brian Moonan, Sam Adams and Mark Hunter Post Trib Heretics and No Turning from Sin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I37iWPwNkUo
This author recommended husky394xp, HUSKEY394XP, JD Farag, Zion 4131, Robert Breaker.

An Answer To Brian Moonan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKMqFQzsX3Q
By husky394xp (Brian Denlinger)

Joseph Prince

JOSEPH PRINCE exposed! | Pastor Brian Moonan 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI1m16f4jfc

Hillsong

HELLSONG: They Will Not Endure Sound Doctrine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VywWziahEaw
By Brian Moonon (another false teacher?)

Francis Chan

Apostasy Report - Francis Chan The Deceiver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UTHq3VGft4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q7lUWUIwN8&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwcTVm3JaSY
28:20 David Platt is a good friend of Francis Chan. Francis Chan's book "Multiply" forward by David Platt.
42:13 Francis Chan, John Piper, Louie Giglio,

Paul Washer

Paul Washer Partners With Hillsong Speakers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwcTVm3JaSY
29:00 Trip Lee partners with Jesus Culture, Hillsong United. Lauren Daigle. TobyMac. Jesus Culture is music ministry of Bethel church CA. Bill Johnson is good friend with Mike Bickle. Toronto Blessing.

34:15 Hillsong United/Jesus Culture, Cari Jobe/Crowder/Passion/Lauren Daigle/Trip lee/Bethel Music/Nick Hall (took a trip to Vatican, had Pope Francis delivering the opening message.)
35:40 Trip Lee partner with John Gray. John Gray at Osteen's church.
42:34 Paul Washer partnering with Trip lee, John Piper, David Platt. Paul Washer has been proponent of John Piper for years.

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Tony Miano

http://www.biblicalchurchevangelism.org/2016/09/09/bad-worse-tony-miano-mike-reid-exporting-moral-theological-madness-africa/

Saturday, March 31, 2018

John McArthur

JOHN MACARTHUR
MAINSTREAMING PAGANISM IN THE CHURCH

http://watch.pairsite.com/macarthur-0-mainstream-pagan.html

http://beginningofsorrows.org/2018/03/27/pulpit-pen-dilemma-macarthur-hosting-marxist-conference/
MacArthur actively partners in ministry with John Piper and Matt Chandler who openly embrace and partner with vile heresy.

John MacArthur Partners With Rick Warren. What now? Even the hard-core believers are wavering

Who to believe now? #ThePastorsInBusinessForBusiness

NRB Conference March 2019

https://youtu.be/2Q7lUWUIwN8

March 26-29, 2019 | Anaheim, Ca

#proclaim19

http://nrbconvention.org/

http://www.atruechurch.info/macarthur.html

In MacArthur's Bible study guide, The Superiority of Christ (Hebrews 1-2) on page 52 and following he says,

Did you know that when 2 Samuel was written, Jesus Christ was not the Son of God? Why? The title Son refers to Jesus Christ in His incarnation. Christ did not become the Son until He was begotten into time.

In his commentary on Hebrews he says, speaking of Christ,

He was always God, but He became the Son. He had not always had the title of Son. That is His incarnation title. Eternally He is God, but only from His incarnation has He been Son. (p. 27-28)

And, "Christ was not Son until His incarnation." ("not" is emphasized in the original, p.28) MacArthur has good sounding arguments for his statements above (he even has an official paper on this subject entitled "The Sonship of Christ" dated November 13, 1991 that is very deceptive), but the fact remains that Jesus Christ has always been the Son of God. When speaking of whether Christ was the Son of God from all eternity or not, we are speaking of His very nature, i.e. WHO HE IS. He has always been the Son of God (Hebrews 13:8).

http://johnmacarthurexposed.blogspot.com/

John Piper Talks John MacArthur's Strange Fire Conference; Pursuing Gifts of Prophecy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KznsCek9EQg

John MacArthur Rebukes Joel Osteen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDuDN2FtrIo

John MacArthur - Is Speaking in Tongues Demonic? 1/3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVSLc0cqlZM

The Strange Theology Behind John MacArthur's Strange Fire - Jan 12, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmrk8DKzf0w

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Roberts Liardon

https://truthinreality.com/2012/09/23/false-prophets-unmasked/
http://www.robertsliardon.org/
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/fprophets.html
https://www.charismamag.com/component/content/article/134-j15/peopleevents/people-events/621-liardon-preaches-first-sermon-after-stepping-away-from-pulpit
https://rooftopsandrafters.wordpress.com/got-questions/
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B004LGRZE8

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Teachers Possible

Dr. Gene Kim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzn0fbBKjuw

Possible good teachers:
Ken Silva is dead

Derek Prince (?)
Charles Lawson (?)
Charles Spurgon (good)
David Hogan
Walter Veith

The following videos are worth paying attention to. I don't totally believe that they are 100% correct:

Word of Faith Heresy Exposed, A Call for Discernment Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t17fo2yvv3I

False Teachers...Exposing Them and Naming Them by Name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wJ5S3QzcI8

09/27/09 - Sid Roth promoting Witchcraft and False Prophets - Michael Hoggard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I64BMwm5PEE

Mike Hoggard, The Truth Behind Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjg8M9VSzmY

04/17/11-Strange markings on Glenn Beck - Michael Hoggard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ-KDHQVahM

WIDE IS THE GATE: THE EMERGING NEW "CHRISTIANITY"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5VrTZBPsiM&list=PLBBD6671F0EDC4477

EXPOSING SATAN'S POWER: SPEAKING IN TONGUES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-SD0ZRxjV4

An Ex-Pentecostal Healer(pastor) Explains The Tricks Used to make people think they are healed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCohlCPSLlo

Fake Christian Healer Leroy Jenkins, EXPOSED by Inside Edition - YouTube.flv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Px5sZyxFYc

False preachers, Remember This Must watch,HD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i85DKTSFGI

TV PREACHERS EXPOSED Satanism Pentecostalism New Age To Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHPO9yMNYoY

Delivered from Charismatic Chaos/Pentecostalism/Strange Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJDgZg7H35c

Matt Slick Warns Christians About Steven Furtick and heretic T.D. Jakes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXcLILvCOCc

Matt Slick Interviews Mormons, Manti, 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJZOZMmQSV4

false preachers false gospel (made by mushy smith) warning disturbing images watch until end
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-4Xp9GjKlc

Prosperity gospel Bursts Pastor David Wilkerson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9KUilKMDaY

Insights on David Wilkerson's Prophecy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOaOpZ6jMDU

False Preachers and Teachers!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU_FmjE-ZWI

False Prophets. Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xE2BfGwO1Y

Jewish Prophet Warns Christians to Flee America Now!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEP-8-wnQc

The Greatest Christian Persecution in history begins by 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlI97RKm1go

The Law has Passed: Killing American Christians by Guillotine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCbxWv8qckQ

WOW !!! Pastor's sold their souls / the mark of the beast OBAMA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_3048329675&feature=iv&list=UUq42vlj1RNq7luX0aYjGPRw&src_vid=Ig7AOv_bVjM&v=GI8_l_lGiJI

Jesus tells boy the end is near . The 2 witnesses / angels will be on the earth soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uDMSgKjBb0

WARNING From GOD: The Judgement Coming To East Coast, REPENT!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bYAPsIFnNo

WARNING FROM GOD: "I'm Calling You Out: Be Separate From This Evil World That Runs Apart From GOD."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xekx3uu8ZO0

A Warning About Mike Hoggard On Eternal Security
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4lO5yiAzOU&list=PLE94Ww28S0KYN-jd5-GFDJQX37rgqFHEt

John Hagee DENIES Jesus is the Messiah!
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mAy_4vgua4s

Insights on David Wilkerson's Prophecy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOaOpZ6jMDU

Teachers - Hard to tell

These teachers are hard to tell if they are teaching the truth or what because they all talk about God and Jesus.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8hkqXCyLmuI

http://rollanscensoredissuesblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/new-mystics-fraud-and-spotting-false.html

Sid Roth
http://www.wnd.com/2013/09/americas-tie-to-the-antichrist/

John MacArthur Grace Community Church
According to this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90IUtjsUdWc
John MacArthur said that it's OK to take RFID chip.
http://johnmacarthurexposed.blogspot.com/
the church growth movement, being backed by globalists to fulfill their one-world agenda.
has allowed men to speak at his church and has allowed men to occupy leadership positions in his church, who, professing to be Christians, are actually dedicated to this one-world agenda.
John Macarthur’s international ministry, a ministry dedicated to “training church leaders worldwide,” is a church growth organization now partnering with foreign governments.
information about Dr. Albert Mohler that was not in accord with his Christian profession. Dr. Mohler was a Founding Fellow of the “think tank” of a UN-NGO. a UN-NGO is a non-governmental organization that is listed with the UN and that serves the UN and its one-world agenda. It has since been confirmed to me by a colleague of Dr. Mohler’s that all the Fellows of the “think tank” of this UN-NGO are dedicated to the principles of the charter of the UN. the UN agenda is satanic and includes the destruction of Biblical Christianity. Dr. Mohler holds leadership positions in at least two organizations that serve the UN globalist agenda as NGO’s.
The pastors all angrily denied this easily verifiable fact. I received a reply from one pastor, Rick Mclean, responding for all, who, putting himself in the position of God, told me that the information I’d given them regarding Dr. Mohler’s associations “was of no eternal consequence.” This pastor also told me to never contact them again regarding this matter. If Dr. Mohler’s UN affiliation was “of no eternal consequence” according to pastors at GCC, then why were they taking such extraordinary measures in order to prevent the exposure of that affiliation? In not allowing one Christian to meet another, the GCC authorities were exercising a type of control that is cult-like.
Al Mohler was a Founding Fellow of the Research Institute (think tank) of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and that the ERLC was a UN-NGO. A GCC pastor, Eric Bancroft, with the head of security in tow, approached me and angrily told me that my flyer contained “all lies”; he then warned me that if I was to set foot on GCC property, I’d be arrested. a GCC official approached me and told me that the GCC authorities were considering a lawsuit against me.
I have seen that a GCC ministry called The Master’s Academy International (TMAI), which states that its mission is to “train church leaders worldwide,” is actually a church growth organization that is now partnering with foreign governments. (A goal of the church growth movement is to merge the church into a partnership with business and government. This is called Communitarianism.)
Evangelical churches will be the chief instrument to bring the New World Order to birth.
The purpose of the church growth movement is to facilitate the transition of Christians and churches into the New World Order. The starting point for the New World Order is a political ideology known as Communitarianism.
Communitarianism will resemble a corporate state (Fascism) in which the elite will work under capitalist rules to continue generating wealth while the working class will be controlled by Communist model laws. The Communitarian synthesis incorporates not only elements of Fascism and Communism, but also Globalism.
Comments:
J Mac's close relationship with men who lead UN-NGO's and take orders from members of the CFR? J Mac's financier being a governor of the CNP, a CFR front? J Mac ushering his congregation into facilitator-led groups which he calls "discussion groups?" How about J Mac's recent alliance with the American Enterprise Institute, a NWO org filled with CFR members? Or J Mac's ministries that partner with foreign governments and NGO's of the UN?
Too long but very informative

John Hagee : Why The coming Of the Antichrist Will Be on 30 August 2016 ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoivaOFr2OE

Cindy Trimm:
DR. CINDY TRIMM SATANISM EXPOSED PART 1 OF 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa79K7ISLHI
Sold out to organized religion.

Kundalini Spirit

The Toronto "Blessing" was a Satanic Curse! False Kundalini Revival EXPOSED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0Ii5T2qcsA

The Kundalini Spirit, demons control many christian churches!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFSB3FsBO5s
21:30 IHOP

WARNING! WHAT IS KUNDALINI & IS IT IN THE CHURCH?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NShnozCe1QI

STRANGE FIRE: UNHOLY SPIRITS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxZFQGQ25rU

What it's like to live with awake kundalini energy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H0unf_u-cs

Kundalini Awakening took me to the hospital

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiccWcq8pLM

IHOP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q7lUWUIwN8&feature=youtu.be
25:30

The Kundalini Spirit, demons control many christian churches!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFSB3FsBO5s
21:30 IHOP

Here is an interesting read about IHOP (International House of Prayer):

http://carm.org/ihop

I believe the Author is very sincere and has many good points. One thing I disagree is the statement:

"the Bible is the revealed will of God and all that is necessary for faith (all teachings are contained within the Bible) and practice (the things we need to govern our church and everyday life)....Basically, God does not need to give us anymore revelation..."

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Obviously in the last days, there will be people who prophesy and see visions. It's just that so many people take advantage of this and mislead Christians.

Toronto "Blessing"

The Toronto "Blessing" was a Satanic Curse! False Kundalini Revival EXPOSED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0Ii5T2qcsA

Questionable Teachers

Still savable:
Phil Johnson, Justin Peters, Chris Rosebrough, Paul Washer

Conferences:
The Passion
OneThing
Sing Conference

Churches:
Southern Baptist Convention

http://nrbconvention.org/
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZwjnTdI_b_Osve4mCg6IQETimljrSSrZellDbDSij0o/edit?usp=sharing

https://www.tbn.org/people

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/508625351649968686/

http://christianworldviewinstitute.com/faith-questions/false-prophets-how-to-recognize-them/illuminati-mega-churches-pastors-and-false-prophets-100-exposed/

Current:
Alicia Britt Chole
Andy Erwin (http://nrbconvention.org/)
Art Supulveda Word of Life Christian center
Benjamin Dunn
Bill Johnson Face to Face with God: The Quest to Experience His Presence
Bill Hybels
Bill Wiese
Cathy Lechner http://c3churchwatch.com/tag/robin-harfouche/
Christian and Robin Harfouche associated with Rodney Browne, the Latter Rain revival http://simplyheavenlyfood.tumblr.com/post/55121625837/false-churches-to-avoid-in-hawaii
Christine Caine (Hillsong)
Chuck Pierce
Cindy Trimm
Creflo Dollar
David Yonngi Cho
Dave Sumrall http://c3churchwatch.com/tag/robin-harfouche/
Devon Franklin (Joel Osteen's boy)
Dick Bernall associated with the New Apostollic Reformation (NAR)
Ed Silvoso’s Harvest Evangelism -Transformation
Emanuel Cannistraci
Francis Chan
Franklin Graham
Fred Price
Greg Laurie
James White
Jason Westerfield
jen paul crouch
Jesse Duplantis (Prosperity Teacher)
Jim Caviezel
Jim Lafoon
Joel Osteen
John Crowder
John Gray (partners with Joel Osteen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwcTVm3JaSY 36:50)
john hagge (John Hagee?)
John Lake the Healing rooms in Hawaii
John MacArthur
John Piper (Defended Rick Warren)
Jon Erwin (http://nrbconvention.org/)
Joni Eareckson Tada
Joseph Garlington http://c3churchwatch.com/tag/robin-harfouche/
Joseph Prince
Joyce Meyer (Gnostic/Prosperity Teacher)
Justin Peters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q7lUWUIwN8&feature=youtu.be 21:15)
Kelsey and Druscilla Lewis Pacific Revival Center

Kenneth and Gloria Copeland

Kenneth Hagin
Kevin Downes (http://nrbconvention.org/)
Kirk Cameron
Kong Hee (Gnostic/Prosperity Teacher) (Singapore)
Larry Lee
Lee Strobel
Leon Fontaine
Leroy Thompson
Louie Giglio (Pope Kisser, fond of the Pope, friend with John Gray)
Marilyn Hickey
Marocco, King’s Cathedral (on Maui and on Oahu in Niu Valley)
Michael Brown
Michael (Mike) Hoggard (mikehoggard.com)
Michael Pitts (Prosperity Teacher)
Mike Reid
Mike Rowe
Nick Vujicic
morris cerrello
Nancy Alcorn is president of the Mercy Ministries in Australia
Nick Nick and Esther van Rensburg The River church in Johannesburg, South Africa
Pat Robertson
Patricia King
Paul Crouch
Paul Washer
Paula White
Perry Stone
Peter Popoff
Peter Wagner
Phil Pringle http://c3churchwatch.com/tag/robin-harfouche/
Randy Clark (the one who laid hands on Heidi Baker):
Ralph Moore Hope chapel of Kaneohe ( a foursquare church) Purpose Driven Life programs
http://www.blessedquietness.com/journal/resource/matraya3.htm
Ravi Zacharias (embracing hill song, Rick Warren)
Reinhart Bonnke
Rick Warren
Richard Stewart of the Ark
Robert Mohler
Robert Morris
Robert Tilton
Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne of Revival Ministries International
Russell and Mari Stewart The Ark Christian Center
Russell Moore
Sam Brownback (http://nrbconvention.org/)
Steven Furtick
T.D. Jakes (Oneness Pentecostal Cult teacher and TBN Prosperity Teacher)
Todd Bentley
Todd Friel (defends Rick Warren)
Tom and Jane Hamon
Tony Evans (http://nrbconvention.org/)
Tony Kemp
Tony Miano
Trip Lee (Partners with John Gray)
Wendy Alec of GodTV
W. V. Grant

Music:
Bethel Music
Matt Redman
Michael W. Smith
Natalie Grant

Former:
Alexander Dowie
Benny Hinn
Billy Graham
Jim Bakker
Jimmy Swaggart
John G Lake
Katheryn Kuhlman
Kenneth Hagan (1917-2003)

Rev. Oral Roberts
Organizations:
Leadership Bible Institute, Hawaii
TBN
The River at Tampa Bay

People who claimed to have seen the Lord:
Bob Jones
Charles and Francis Hunter
Joshua Mills
Kathie Walters
Rick Joyner
Roberts Liardon
Rodney Howard Browne
Roland Buck

Hosts:
Sid Roth
Dangerous Sites?
GodTV (It's OK to broadcast Heidi Baker)
DayStar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts:
Patricia King - eXtremeProphetic (She likes Heidi Baker.)
........................
http://www.bobshideout.com/view/the-30-richest-pastors-and-televangelists-in-the-world-bho-seco/?src=4&utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=NY+Post&utm_campaign=00a47f18f65f82f97bb28c5b08c760de89&utm_key=154&utm_content=00f1b29956b2961f6dcb0bcb0fdccce316&utm_term=BHO_D_US_the-30-richest-pastors-and-televangelists-in-the-world-bho-seco_4916
Kenneth Copeland - $760M

http://www.bobshideout.com/view/the-30-richest-pastors-and-televangelists-in-the-world-bho-seco/?page=18
Charles Stanley - salary of $73,000,000 a year

http://www.bobshideout.com/view/the-30-richest-pastors-and-televangelists-in-the-world-bho-seco/?experiment=268&page=24
Charles E. Blake - a 10,000-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills.
................................
http://www.iflmylife.com/culture/televangelists-secrets/36/
Joyce Meyer: private jets and multiple homes

Steven Furtick of Elevation church
http://www.piratechristian.com/messedupchurch/2016/8/steven-furtick-cornucopia-of-false-teaching-egomania-and-hairgel

makes an undisclosed salary and lives in a 16,000 square foot mansion.

http://apprising.org/2013/01/25/jesus-cultures-spiritual-mother-cindy-jacobs-admits-shes-a-false-prophet/

https://deceptionfree.wordpress.com/tag/wolves-in-sheeps-clothing/
Bethel & Jesus Culture,
http://olivetjournal.com/false-ministries-2-occult-hand-signs/
Lou Engle, Randy Clark, Cindy Jacob,
http://www.propheciesofrevelation.org/false_teachers-prophets5_elijahlist.html
Randy Clark (Global Awakening)

about Clark: http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=492&forum=34&0
http://www.cerm.info/false_teachers.htm
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2013/01/randy-clark-bill-johnson.html

Read more by googling Randy Clark church false

Billy Graham's False Teachings & Beliefs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f68IgZruyNI
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TD Jakes Exposed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omLJT73j6MQ
........................................
Q&A 如何幫助多年相信跟隨江秀琴、梁瓊月、莫安德烈、趙鏞基的家人
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjfr3FSxo1k

Curry Blake

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=BAAJdz8dOnU

Justin Peters

More Hypocrisy From Justin Peters & Todd Friel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6gUPBGI3OY

Justin Peters Exposed (Phone Call)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgFqVs1b9DM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jvuhOa9wY4

http://christianworldviewinstitute.com/faith-questions/false-prophets-how-to-recognize-them/false-teachers-exposed-word-of-faith-prosperity-gospel-justin-peters-so4j-tv/

Justin Peters Explains Why Stories of Trips To Heaven Do Not Line up With the Bible.flv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwjb0O555Xw

Strange Fire Conference Part 10 - Justin Peters - The Devilish Puppet Master of the Word-Faith Move
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XTwTLe-e8E

Justin Peters - A Call for Discernment, Mangled Manifestations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNjbdTIQjrU

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Brother Lawrence

https://www.ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice.txt

Good when He gives,

supremely good;

Nor less when He denies: Afflictions,

from His sovereign hand, Are blessings in disguise.

"I believe in the ... communion of saints."

SURELY if additional proof of its reality were needed, it might be
found in the universal oneness of experimental Christianity in all ages
and in all lands. The experiences of Thomas á Kempis, of Tauler and of
Madame Guyon, of John Woolman and Hester Ann Rogers, how marvellously
they agree, and how perfectly they harmonize! And Nicholas Herman, of
Lorraine, whose letters and converse are here given, testifies to the
same truth! In communion with Rome, a lay brother among the Carmelites,
for several years a soldier, in an irreligious age, amid a sceptical
people, yet in him the practice of the presence of GOD was as much a
reality as the "watch" of the early Friends, and the "holy seed" in him
and others was the "stock" (Isa. vi. 13) from which grew the household
and evangelistic piety of the eighteenth century, of Epworth and of
Moorfields.

"When unadorned, adorned the most" is the line which deters from any
interpolations or interpretations other than the few "contents"
headings which are given. May the "Christ in you" be the "hope of
glory" to all who read.

* Satisfaction in God's presence. *
Faith our duty. * Resignation the fruit of watchfulness.

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 in above forty years that he had lived since.

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 be equal to a soul truly resigned. 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,
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 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 further 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 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 (Bro. Lawrence) as often as I pleased, without any fear of being
troublesome; but if not, that I ought no more to visit him.

Love the motive of all. * Once in fear, now in joy. * Diligence and
love. Simplicity the key to Divine assistance. * Business abroad as at
home. * times of prayer and self-mortification not essential for the
practice. * All scruples brought to God.

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 did not engage in a religious life but for the love
of GOD, and I have endeavoured 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.

That since that time he had passed his life in perfect liberty and
continual joy. That he placed his sins betwixt him and GOD, as it were,
to tell Him that he did not deserve His favours, 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 them.

That when an occasion of practising 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;
'tis You 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.

So, likewise, in his business in the kitchen, having accustomed himself to do everything there for
the love of GOD, and with prayer, upon all occasions, for His grace to
do his work well, he had found everything easy, during the fifteen
years that he had been employed there.

That he was very well pleased with the post he was now in; but that he
was as ready to quit that as the former, since he was always pleasing
himself in every condition, by doing little things for the love of GOD.

That with him the set times of prayer were not different from other
times: that he retired to pray, according to the directions of his
Superior, but that he did not want such retirement. nor ask for it,
because his greatest business did not divert him from GOD.

That as he knew his obligation to love GOD in all things, and as he
endeavoured so to do, he had no need of a director to advise him, but
that he needed much a confessor to absolve him. That he was very
sensible of his faults, but not discouraged by them; that he confessed
them to GOD, and did not plead against Him to excuse them. When he had
so done, he peaceably resumed his usual practice of love and adoration.

That in his trouble of mind, he had consulted nobody, but knowing only
by the light of faith that GOD was present, he contented himself with
directing all his actions to Him, i.e., doing them with a desire to
please Him, let what would come of it.

That useless thoughts spoil all: that the mischief began there; but
that we ought to reject them, as soon as we perceived their
impertinence to the matter in hand, or our salvation; and return to our
communion with GOD.

That at the beginning he had often passed his time appointed for
prayer, in rejecting wandering thoughts, and falling back into them.
That he could never regulate his devotion by certain methods as some
do. That nevertheless, at first he had meditated for some time, but
afterwards that went off, in a manner that he could give no account of.

That all bodily mortifications and other exercises are useless, but as
they serve to arrive at the union with GOD by love; that he had well
considered this, and found it the shortest way to go straight to Him by
a continual exercise of love, and doing all things for His sake.

That we ought to make a great difference between the acts of the
understanding and those of the will; that the first were comparatively
of little value, and the others all.

That our only business was to love and delight ourselves in GOD.

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. That GOD seemed to have
granted the greatest favours to the greatest sinners, as more signal
monuments of His mercy.

That the greatest pains or pleasures, of this world, were not to be
compared with what he had experienced of both kinds in a spiritual
state: so that he was careful for nothing and feared nothing, desiring
but one only thing of GOD, viz., that he might not offend Him.

That he had no scruples; for, said he, when I fail in my duty, I
readily acknowledge it, saying, I am used to do so: I shall never do
otherwise, if I am left to myself. If I fail not, then I give GOD
thanks, acknowledging that it comes from Him.

Faith working by love. * Outward business no detriment. * Perfect
resignation the sure way.

He told me, that the foundation of the spiritual life in him had been a
high notion and esteem of GOD in faith; which when he had once well
conceived, he had no other care at first, but faithfully to reject
every other thought, that he might perform all his actions for the love
of GOD. That when sometimes he had not thought of GOD for a good while,
he did not disquiet himself for it; but after having acknowledged his
wretchedness to GOD, he returned to Him with so much the greater trust
in Him, by how much he found himself more wretched to have forgot Him.

That the trust we put in GOD honours Him much, and draws down great
graces.

That it was impossible, not only that GOD should deceive, but also that
He should long let a soul suffer which is perfectly resigned to Him,
and resolved to endure everything for His sake.

That he had so often experienced the ready succours of Divine Grace
upon all occasions, that from the same experience, when he had business
to do, he did not think of it beforehand; but when it was time to do
it, he found in GOD, as in a clear mirror, all that was fit for him to
do. That of late he had acted thus, without anticipating care; but
before the experience above mentioned, he had used it in his affairs.

When outward business diverted him a little from the thought of GOD, a
fresh remembrance coming from GOD invested his soul, and so inflamed
and transported him that it was difficult for him to contain himself.

That he was more united to GOD in his outward employments, than when he
left them for devotion in retirement.

That he expected hereafter some great pain of body or mind; that the
worst that could happen to him was, to lose that sense of GOD, which he
had enjoyed so long; but that the goodness of GOD assured him He would
not forsake him utterly, and that He would give him strength to bear
whatever evil He permitted to happen to him; and therefore that he
feared nothing, and had no occasion to consult with anybody about his
state. That when he had attempted to do it, he had always come away
more perplexed; and that as he was conscious of his readiness to lay
down his life for the love of GOD, he had no apprehension of danger.
That 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; but after that unspeakable
pleasures followed: that in difficulties we need only have recourse to
JESUS CHRIST, and beg His grace, with which everything became easy.

That many do not advance in the Christian progress, because they stick
in penances, and particular exercises, while they neglect the love of
GOD, which is the end. That this appeared plainly by their works, and
was the reason why we see so little solid virtue.

That there needed neither art nor science for going to GOD, but only a
heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him, or for
His sake, and to love Him only.

The manner of going to God. * Hearty renunciation. * Prayer and praise
prevent discouragement. * Sanctification in common business. * Prayer
and the presence of God. * The whole substance of religion. *
Self-estimation * Further personal experience.

He discoursed with me very frequently, and with great openness of
heart, concerning his manner of going to GOD, whereof some part is
related already.

He told me, that all consists in one hearty renunciation of everything
which we are sensible does not lead to GOD; that we might accustom
ourselves to a continual conversation with Him, with freedom and in
simplicity. That we need only to recognize GOD intimately present with
us, to address ourselves to Him every moment, that we may beg His
assistance for knowing His will in things doubtful, and for rightly
performing those which we plainly see He requires of us, offering them
to Him before we do them, and giving Him thanks when we have done.

That in this conversation with GOD, we are also employed in praising,
adoring, and loving him incessantly, for His infinite goodness and
perfection.

That, without being discouraged on account of our sins, we should pray
for His grace with a perfect confidence, as relying upon the infinite
merits of our LORD. That GOD never failed offering us His grace at each
action; that he distinctly perceived it, and never failed of it, unless
when his thoughts had wandered from a sense of GOD's Presence, or he
had forgot to ask His assistance.

That GOD always gave us light in our doubts, when we had no other
design but to please Him.

That our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in
doing that for GOD's sake, which we commonly do for our own. That it
was lamentable to see how many people mistook the means for the end,
addicting themselves to certain works, which they performed very
imperfectly, by reason of their human or selfish regards.

That the most excellent method he had found of going to GOD, was that
of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men, [Gal. i.
10; Eph. vi. 5, 6.] and (as far as we are capable) purely for the love
of GOD.

That it was a great delusion to think that the times of prayer ought to
differ from other times. That we are as strictly obliged to adhere to
GOD by action in the time of action, as by prayer in its season.

That his prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of GOD,
his soul being at that time insensible to everything but Divine love:
and that when the appointed times of prayer were past, he found no
difference, because he still continued with GOD, praising and blessing
Him with all his might, so that he passed his life in continual joy;
yet hoped that GOD would give him somewhat to suffer, when he should
grow stronger.

That we ought, once for all, heartily to put our whole trust in GOD,
and make a total surrender of ourselves to Him, secure that He would
not deceive us.

That we ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of
GOD, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which
it is performed. That we should not wonder if, in the beginning, we
often failed in our endeavours, but that at last we should gain a
habit, which will naturally produce its acts in us, without our care,
and to our exceeding great delight.

That the whole substance of religion was faith, hope, and charity; by
the practice of which we become united to the will of GOD: that all
beside is indifferent and to be used as a means, that we may arrive at
our end, and be swallowed up therein, by faith and charity.

That all things are possible to him who believes, that they are less
difficult to him who hopes, they are more easy to him who loves, and
still more easy to him who perseveres in the practice of these three
virtues.

That the end we ought to propose to ourselves is to become, in this
life, the most perfect worshippers of GOD we can possibly be, as we
hope to be through all eternity.

That when we enter upon the spiritual we should consider, and examine
to the bottom, what we are. And then we should find ourselves worthy of
all contempt, and such as do not deserve the name of Christians,
subject to all kinds of misery, and numberless accidents, which trouble
us, and cause perpetual vicissitudes in our health, in our humours, in
our internal and external dispositions: in fine, persons whom GOD would
humble by many pains and labours, as well within as without. After
this, we should not wonder that troubles, temptations, oppositions and
contradictions, happen to us from men. We ought, on the contrary, to
submit ourselves to them, and bear them as long as GOD pleases, as
things highly advantageous to us.

That the greater perfection a soul aspires after, the more dependent it
is upon Divine grace.

Being questioned by one of his own society (to whom he was obliged to
open himself) by what means he had attained such an habitual sense of
GOD? he told him that, since his first coming to the monastery, he had
considered GOD as the end of all his thoughts and desires, as the mark
to which they should tend, and in which they should terminate.

That in the beginning of his novitiate he spent the hours appointed for
private prayer in thinking of GOD, so as to convince his mind of, and
to impress deeply upon his heart, the Divine existence, rather by
devout sentiments, and submission to the lights of faith, than by
studied reasonings and elaborate meditations. That by this short and
sure method, he exercised himself in the knowledge and love of GOD,
resolving to use his utmost endeavour to live in a continual sense of
His Presence, and, if possible, never to forget Him more.

That when he had thus in prayer filled his mind with great sentiments
of that infinite Being, he went to his work appointed in the kitchen
(for he was cook to the society); there having first considered
severally the things his office required, and when and how each thing
was to be done, he spent all the intervals of his time, as well before
as after his work, in prayer.

That, when he began his business, he said to GOD, with a filial trust
in Him, "O my GOD, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience
to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beseech Thee
to grant me the grace to continue in Thy Presence; and to this end do
Thou prosper me with Thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess
all my affections."

As he proceeded in his work, he continued his familiar conversation
with his Maker, imploring His grace, and offering to Him all his
actions.

When he had finished, he examined himself how he had discharged his
duty; if he found well, he returned thanks to GOD; if otherwise, he
asked pardon; and without being discouraged, he set his mind right
again, and continued his exercise of the presence of GOD, as if he had
never deviated from it. "Thus," said he, "by rising after my falls, and
by frequently renewed acts of faith and love, I am come to a state,
wherein it would be as difficult for me not to think of GOD, as it was
at first to accustom myself to it."

His very countenance was edifying; such a sweet and calm
devotion appearing in it, as could not but affect the beholders. And it
was observed, that in the greatest hurry of business in the kitchen, he
still preserved his recollection and heavenly-mindedness. He was never
hasty nor loitering, but did each thing in its season, with an even
uninterrupted composure and tranquillity of spirit. "The time of
business," said he, "does not with me differ from the time of prayer;
and 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."

How the habitual sense of God's Presence was found.

SINCE you desire so earnestly that I should communicate to you the
method by which I arrived at that habitual sense of GOD's Presence,
which our LORD, of His mercy, has been pleased to vouchsafe to me; I
must tell you, that it is with great difficulty that I am prevailed on
by your importunities; and now I do it only upon the terms, that you
show my letter to nobody. If I knew that you would let it be seen, all
the desire that I have for your advancement would not be able to
determine me to it. The account I can give you is:

Having found in many books different methods of going to GOD, and
divers practices of the spiritual life, I thought this would serve
rather to puzzle me, than facilitate what I sought after, which was
nothing but how to become wholly GOD's.

This made me resolve to give the all for the All: so after having given
myself wholly to GOD, to make all the satisfaction I could for my sins,
I renounced, for the love of Him, everything that was not He; and I
began to live as if there was none but He and I in the world. Sometimes
I considered myself before Him as a poor criminal at the feet of his
judge; at other times I beheld Him in my heart as my FATHER, as my GOD:
I worshipped Him the oftenest that I could, keeping my mind in His holy
Presence, and recalling it as often as I found it wandered from Him. I
found no small pain in this exercise, and yet I continued it,
notwithstanding all the difficulties that occurred, without troubling
or disquieting myself when my mind had wandered involuntarily. I made
this my business, as much all the day long as at the appointed times of
prayer; for at all times, every hour, every minute, even in the height
of my business, I drove away from my mind everything that was capable
of interrupting my thought of GOD.

Such has been my common practice ever since I entered into religion;
and though I have done it very imperfectly, yet I have found great
advantages by it. These, I well know, are to be imputed to the mere
mercy and goodness of GOD, because we can do nothing without Him; and I
still less than any. But when we are faithful to keep ourselves in His
holy Presence, and set Him always before us, this not only hinders our
offending Him, and doing anything that may displease Him, at least
wilfully, but it also begets in us a holy freedom, and if I may so
speak, a familiarity with GOD, wherewith we ask, and that successfully,
the graces we stand in need of. In fine, by often repeating these acts,
they become habitual, and the presence of GOD is rendered as it were
natural to us. Give Him thanks, if you please, with me, for His great
goodness towards me, which I can never sufficiently admire, for the
many favours He has done to so miserable a sinner as I am. May all
things praise Him. Amen.
__________________________________________________________________

SECOND LETTER

Difference between himself and others. * Faith alone consistently and
persistently. * Deprecates this state being considered a delusion.

NOT finding my manner of life in books, although I have no difficulty
about it, yet, for greater security, I shall be glad to know your
thoughts concerning it.

In a conversation some days since with a person of piety, he told me
the spiritual life was a life of grace, which begins with servile fear,
which is increased by hope of eternal life, and which is consummated by
pure love; that each of these states had its different stages, by which
one arrives at last at that blessed consummation.

I have not followed all these methods. On the contrary, from I know not
what instincts, I found they discouraged me. This was the reason why,
at my entrance into religion, I took a resolution to give myself up to
GOD, as the best satisfaction I could make for my sins; and, for the
love of Him, to renounce all besides.

For the first years, I commonly employed myself during the time set
apart for devotion, with the thoughts of death, judgement, hell,
heaven, and my sins. Thus I continued some years applying my mind
carefully the rest of the day, and even in the midst of my business, to
the presence of GOD, whom I considered always as with me, often as in
me.

At length I came insensibly to do the same thing during my set time of
prayer, which caused in me great delight and consolation. This practice
produced in me so high an esteem for GOD, that faith alone was capable
to satisfy me in that point. [I suppose he means that all distinct
notions he could form of GOD were unsatisfactory, because he perceived
them to be unworthy of GOD, and therefore his mind was not to be
satisfied but by the views of faith, which apprehends GOD as infinite
and incomprehensible, as He is in Himself, and not as He can be
conceived by human ideas.]

Such was my beginning; and yet I must tell you, that for the first ten
years I suffered much: the apprehension that I was not devoted to GOD,
as I wished to be, my past sins always present to my mind, and the
great unmerited favours which GOD did me, were the matter and source of
my sufferings. During this time I fell often, and rose again presently.
It seemed to me that the creatures, reason, and GOD Himself were
against me; And faith alone for me. I was troubled sometimes with
thoughts, that to believe I had received such favours was an effect of
my presumption, which pretended to be at once where others arrive with
difficulty; at other times that it was a wilful delusion, and that
there was no salvation for me.

When I thought of nothing but to end my days in these troubles (which
did not at all diminish the trust I had in GOD, and which served only
to increase my faith), I found myself changed all at once; and my soul,
which till that time was in trouble, felt a profound inward peace, as
if she were in her centre and place of rest.

Ever since that time I walk before GOD simply, in faith, with humility
and with love; and I apply myself diligently to do nothing and think
nothing which may displease Him. I hope that when I have done what I
can, He will do with me what He pleases.

As for what passes in me at present, I cannot express it. I have no
pain or difficulty about my state, because I have no will but that of
GOD, which I endeavour to accomplish in all things, and to which I am
so resigned, that I would not take up a straw from the ground against
His order, or from any other motive but purely that of love to Him.

I have quitted all forms of devotion and set prayers but those to which
my state obliges me. 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,
and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to
moderate them, and prevent their appearance to others.

In short, I am assured beyond all doubt, that my soul has been with GOD
above these thirty years. I pass over many things, that I may not be
tedious to you, yet I think it proper to inform you after what manner I
consider myself before GOD, whom I behold as my King.

I consider myself as the most wretched of men, full of sores and
corruption, and who has committed all sorts of crimes against his King;
touched with a sensible regret I confess to Him all my wickedness, I
ask His forgiveness, I abandon myself in His hands, that He may do what
He pleases with me. This King, full of mercy and goodness, very far
from chastising me, embraces me with love, makes me eat at His table,
serves me with His own hands, gives me the key of His treasures; He
converses and delights Himself with me incessantly, in a thousand and a
thousand ways, and treats me in all respects as His favourite. It is
thus I consider myself from time to time in His holy presence.

My most usual method is this simple attention, and such a general
passionate regard to GOD; to whom I find myself often attached with
greater sweetness and delight than that of an infant at the mother's
breast: so that if I dare use the expression, I should choose to call
this state the bosom of GOD, for the inexpressible sweetness which I
taste and experience there. If sometimes my thoughts wander from it by
necessity or infirmity, I am presently recalled by inward motions, so
charming and delicious that I am ashamed to mention them.

I desire your reverence to reflect rather upon my great wretchedness,
of which you are fully informed, than upon the great favours which GOD
does me, all unworthy and ungrateful as I am.

As for my set hours of prayer, they are only a continuation of the same
exercise. Sometimes I consider myself there, as a stone before a
carver, whereof he is to make a statue: presenting myself thus before
GOD, I desire Him to make His perfect image in my soul, and render me
entirely like Himself.

At other times, when I apply myself to prayer, I feel all my spirit and
all my soul lift itself up without any care or effort of mine; and it
continues as it were suspended and firmly fixed in GOD, as in its
centre and place of rest.

I know that some charge this state with inactivity, delusion, and
self-love: I confess that it is a holy inactivity, and would be a happy
self-love, if the soul in that state were capable of it; because in
effect, while she is in this repose, she cannot be disturbed by such
acts as she was formerly accustomed to, and which were then her
support, but would now rather hinder than assist her.

Yet I cannot bear that this should be called delusion; because the soul
which thus enjoys GOD desires herein nothing but Him. If this be
delusion in me, it belongs to GOD to remedy it. Let Him do what He
pleases with me: I desire only Him, and to be wholly devoted to Him.

You will, however, oblige me in sending me your opinion, to which I
always pay a great deference, for I have a singular esteem for your
reverence, and am yours in our Lord.
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THIRD LETTER

For a soldier friend whom he encourages to trust in God.

WE have a GOD who is infinitely gracious, and knows all our wants. I
always thought that He would reduce you to extremity. He will come in
His own time, and when you least expect it. Hope in Him more than ever:
thank Him with me for the favours He does you, particularly for the
fortitude and patience which He gives you in your afflictions: it is a
plain mark of the care He takes of you; comfort yourself then with Him,
and give thanks for all.

I admire also the fortitude and bravery of M. GOD has given him a good
disposition, and a good will; but there is in him still a little of the
world, and a great deal of youth. I hope the affliction which GOD has
sent him will prove a wholesome remedy to him, and make him enter into
himself; it is an accident very proper to engage him to put all his
trust in Him, who accompanies him everywhere: let him think of Him the
oftenest he can, especially in the greatest dangers. A little lifting
up the heart suffices; a little remembrance of GOD, one act of inward
worship, though upon a march, and sword in hand, are prayers which,
however short, are nevertheless very acceptable to GOD; and far from
lessening a soldier's courage in occasions of danger, they best serve
to fortify it.

Let him then think of GOD the most he can; let him accustom himself, by
degrees, to this small but holy exercise; nobody perceives it, and
nothing is easier than to repeat often in the day these little internal
adorations. Recommend to him, if you please, that he think of GOD the
most he can, in the manner here directed; it is very fit and most
necessary for a soldier, who is daily exposed to dangers of life, and
often of his salvation. I hope that GOD will assist him and all the
family, to whom I present my service, being theirs and yours.
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FOURTH LETTER

Writes of himself as of a third person, and encourages his
correspondent to press on to fuller practising of the Presence of God.

I HAVE taken this opportunity to communicate to you the sentiments of
one of our society concerning the admirable effects and continual
assistances which he receives from the presence of GOD. Let you and me
both profit by them.

You must know, his continual care has been, for above forty years past
that he has spent in religion, to be always with GOD; and to do
nothing, say nothing, and think nothing which may displease Him; and
this without any other view than purely for the love of Him, and
because He deserves infinitely more.

He is now so accustomed to that Divine presence, that he receives from
it continual succours upon all occasions. For about thirty years, his
soul has been filled with joys so continual, and sometimes so great,
that he is forced to use means to moderate them, and to hinder their
appearing outwardly.

If sometimes he is a little too much absent from that Divine presence,
GOD presently makes Himself to be felt in his soul to recall him; which
often happens when he is most engaged in his outward business: he
answers with exact fidelity to these inward drawings, either by an
elevation of his heart towards GOD, or by a meek and fond regard to
Him, or by such words as love forms upon these occasions; as for
instance, My GOD, here I am all devoted to Thee: LORD, make me
according to Thy heart. And then it seems to him (as in effect he feels
it) that this GOD of love, satisfied with such few words, reposes
again, and rests in the depth and centre of his soul. The experience of
these things gives him such an assurance that GOD is always in the
depth or bottom of his soul, and renders him incapable of doubting it,
upon any account whatever.

Judge by this what content and satisfaction he enjoys, while he
continually finds in himself so great a treasure: he is no longer in an
anxious search after it, but has it open before him, and may take what
he pleases of it.

He complains much of our blindness; and cries often that we are to be
pitied who content ourselves with so little. GOD, saith he, has
infinite treasure to bestow, and we take up with a little sensible
devotion which passes in a moment. Blind as we are, we hinder GOD, and
stop the current of His graces. But when He finds a soul penetrated
with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces and favours
plentifully; there they flow like a torrent, which, after being
forcibly stopped against its ordinary course, when it has found a
passage, spreads itself with impetuosity and abundance.

Yes, we often stop this torrent, by the little value we set upon it.
But let us stop it no more: let us enter into ourselves and break down
the bank which hinders it. Let us make way for grace; let us redeem the
lost time, for perhaps we have but little left; death follows us close,
let us be well prepared for it; for we die but once, and a miscarriage
there is irretrievable.

I say again, let us enter into ourselves. The time presses: there is no
room for delay; our souls are at stake. I believe you have taken such
effectual measures, that you will not be surprised. I commend you for
it, it is the one thing necessary: we must, nevertheless, always work
at it, because not to advance, in the spiritual life, is to go back.
But those who have the gale of the HOLY SPIRIT go forward even in
sleep. If the vessel of our soul is still tossed with winds and storms,
let us awake the LORD, who reposes in it, and He will quickly calm the
sea.

I have taken the liberty to impart to you these good sentiments, that
you may compare them with your own: they will serve again to kindle and
inflame them, if by misfortune (which GOD forbid, for it would be
indeed a great misfortune) they should be, though never so little,
cooled. Let us then both recall our first fervours. Let us profit by
the example and the sentiments of this brother, who is little known of
the world, but known of GOD, and extremely caressed by Him. I will pray
for you; do you pray instantly for me, who am yours in our LORD.
__________________________________________________________________

FIFTH LETTER

Prayer for a sister who is about to make a vow and profession. * A
fresh insisting upon the necessity and virtue of practising the
Presence of God.

I RECEIVED this day two books and a letter from Sister, who is
preparing to make her profession, and upon that account desires the
prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I perceive that
she reckons much upon them; pray do not disappoint her. Beg of GOD that
she may make her sacrifice in the view of His love alone, and with a
firm resolution to be wholly devoted to Him.

I will send you one of those books which treat of the presence of GOD;
a subject which, in my opinion, contains the whole spiritual life; and
it seems to me that whoever duly practises it will soon become
spiritual.

I know that for the right practice of it, the heart must be empty of
all other things; because GOD will possess the heart alone; and as He
cannot possess it alone, without emptying it of all besides, so neither
can He act there, and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left
vacant to Him.

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful,
than that of a continual conversation with GOD: those only can
comprehend it who practise and experience it; yet I do not advise you
to do it from that motive; it is not pleasure which we ought to seek in
this exercise; but let us do it from a principle of love, and because
GOD would have us.

Were I a preacher, I should above all other things preach the practice
of the presence of GOD; and were I a director, I should advise all the
world to do it: so necessary do I think it, and so easy too.

Ah! knew we but the want we have of the grace and assistance of GOD, we
should never lose sight of Him, no, not for a moment. Believe me; make
immediately a holy and firm resolution never more wilfully to forget
Him, and to spend the rest of your days in His sacred presence,
deprived for the love of Him, if He thinks fit, of all consolations.

Set heartily about this work, and if you do it as you ought, be assured
that you will soon find the effects of it. I will assist you with my
prayers, poor as they are: I recommend myself earnestly to yours, and
those of your holy society.
__________________________________________________________________

SIXTH LETTER

To a member of the order who had received from him a book, and to whom
he again enlarges on his favourite topic. * Encouragement to persevere.

I HAVE received from Mrs. - the things which you gave her for me. I
wonder that you have not given me your thoughts of the little book I
sent to you, and which you must have received. Pray set heartily about
the practice of it in your old age; it is better late than never.

I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the
practice of the presence of GOD. For my part 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.

This exercise does not much fatigue the body: it is, however, proper to
deprive it sometimes, nay often, of many little pleasures which are
innocent and lawful: for GOD will not permit that a soul which desires
to be devoted entirely to Him should take other pleasures than with
Him; that is more than reasonable.

I do not say that therefore we must put any violent constraint upon
ourselves. No, we must serve GOD in a holy freedom, we must do our
business faithfully, without trouble or disquiet; recalling our mind to
GOD mildly and with tranquillity, as often as we find it wandering from
Him.

It is, however, necessary to put our whole trust in GOD, laying aside
all other cares, and even some particular forms of devotion, though
very good in themselves, yet such as one often engages in unreasonably:
because those devotions are only means to attain to the end; so when by
this exercise of the presence of GOD we are with Him who is our end, it
is then useless to return to the means; but we may continue with Him
our commerce of love, persevering in His holy presence: one while by an
act of praise, of adoration, or of desire; one while by an act of
resignation, or thanksgiving; and in all the manner which our spirit
can invent.

Be not discouraged by the repugnance which you may find in it from
nature; you must do yourself violence. At the first, one often thinks
it lost time; but you must go on, and resolve to persevere in it to
death, notwithstanding all the difficulties that may occur. I recommend
myself to the prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I
am yours in our LORD.
__________________________________________________________________

SEVENTH LETTER

At the age of nearly fourscore exhorts his correspondent, who is
sixty-four, to live and die with God and promises and asks for prayer.

I PITY you much. It will be of great importance if you can leave the
care of your affairs to, and spend the remainder of your life only in
worshiping GOD. He requires no great matters of us; a little
remembrance of Him from time to time, a little adoration: sometimes to
pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, and
sometimes to return Him thanks for the favours He has given you, and
still gives you, in the midst of your troubles, and to console yourself
with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes
even at your meals, and when you are in company: the least little
remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very
loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of.

It is not necessary for being with GOD to be always at church; we may
make an oratory of our heart, wherein to retire from time to time, to
converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is capable
of such familiar conversation with GOD, some more, some less: He knows
what we can do. Let us begin then; perhaps He expects but one generous
resolution on our part. Have courage. We have but little time to live;
you are near sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die
with GOD: sufferings will be sweet and pleasant to us, while we are
with Him: and the greatest pleasures will be, without Him, a cruel
punishment to us. May He be blessed for all. Amen.

Use yourself then by degrees thus to worship Him, to beg His grace, to
offer Him your heart from time to time, in the midst of your business,
even every moment if you can. Do not always scrupulously confine
yourself to certain rules, or particular forms of devotion; but act
with a general confidence in GOD, with love and humility. You may
assure - of my poor prayers, and that I am their servant, and yours
particularly.
__________________________________________________________________

EIGHTH LETTER

Concerning wandering thoughts in prayer.

YOU tell me nothing new: you are not the only one that is troubled with
wandering thoughts. Our mind is extremely roving; but as the will is
mistress of all our faculties, she must recall them, and carry them to
GOD, as their last end.

When the mind, for want of being sufficiently reduced by recollection,
at our first engaging in devotion, has contracted certain bad habits of
wandering and dissipation, they are difficult to overcome, and commonly
draw us, even against our wills, to the things of the earth.

I believe one remedy for this is, to confess our faults, and to humble
ourselves before GOD. I do not advise you to use multiplicity of words
in prayer; many words and long discourses being often the occasions of
wandering: hold yourself in prayer before GOD, like a dumb or paralytic
beggar at a rich man's gate: let it be your business to keep your mind
in the presence of the LORD. If it sometimes wander, and withdraw
itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that; trouble and
disquiet serve rather to distract the mind, than to re-collect it; the
will must bring it back in tranquillity; if you persevere in this
manner, GOD will have pity on you.

One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and
preserve it more in tranquillity, is not to let it wander too far at
other times: you should keep it strictly in the presence of GOD; and
being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep
your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its
wanderings.

I have told you already at large, in my former letters, of the
advantages we may draw from this practice of the presence of GOD: let
us set about it seriously and pray for one another.
__________________________________________________________________

NINTH LETTER

Enclosing a letter to a corresponding sister, whom he regards with
respect tinged with fear. * His old theme concisely put.

THE enclosed is an answer to that which I received from - ; pray
deliver it to her. She seems to me full of good will, but she would go
faster than grace. One does not become holy all at once. I recommend
her to you: we ought to help one another by our advice, and yet more by
our good examples. You will oblige me to let me hear of her from time
to time, and whether she be very fervent and very obedient.

Let us thus think often that our only business in this life is to
please GOD, that perhaps all besides is but folly and vanity. You and I
have lived above forty years in religion [i.e., a monastic life]. Have
we employed them in loving and serving GOD, who by His mercy has called
us to this state and for that very end? I am filled with shame and
confusion, when I reflect on the one hand upon the great favours which
GOD has done, and incessantly continues to do, me; and on the other,
upon the ill use I have made of them, and my small advancement in the
way of perfection.

Since by His mercy He gives us still a little time, let us begin in
earnest, let us repair the lost time, let us return with a full
assurance to that FATHER of mercies, who is always ready to receive us
affectionately. Let us renounce, let us generously renounce, for the
love of Him, all that is not Himself; He deserves infinitely more. Let
us think of Him perpetually. Let us put all our trust in Him: I doubt
not but we shall soon find the effects of it, in receiving the
abundance of His grace, with which we can do all things, and without
which we can do nothing but sin.

We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life, without the actual
and continual help of GOD; let us then pray to Him for it continually.
How can we pray to Him without being with Him? How can we be with Him
but in thinking of Him often? And how can we often think of Him, but by
a holy habit which we should form of it? You will tell me that I am
always saying the same thing: it is true, for this is the best and
easiest method I know; and as I use no other, I advise all the world to
it. 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. This is an
argument which well deserves your consideration.
__________________________________________________________________

TENTH LETTER

Has difficulty, but sacrifices his will, to write as requested. * The
loss of a friend may lead to acquaintance with the Friend.

I HAVE had a good deal of difficulty to bring myself to write to M. -,
and I do it now purely because you and Madam desire me. Pray write the
directions and send it to him. I am very well pleased with the trust
which you have in GOD: I wish that He may increase it in you more and
more: we cannot have too much in so good and faithful a Friend, who
will never fail us in this world nor in the next.

If M. - makes his advantage of the loss he has had, and puts all his
confidence in GOD, He will soon give him another friend, more powerful
and more inclined to serve him. He disposes of hearts as He pleases.
Perhaps M. - was too much attached to him he has lost. We ought to love
our friends, but without encroaching upon the love of GOD, which must
be the principal.

Pray remember what I have recommended to you, which is, to think often
on GOD, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your
diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone.
You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you:
why then must GOD be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on
Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him; this is the
glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession,
if we do not know it we must learn it. I will endeavour to help you
with my prayers, and am yours in our LORD.
__________________________________________________________________

ELEVENTH LETTER

To one who is in great pain. God is the Physician of body and of soul.
* Feels that he would gladly suffer at His wish.

I DO not pray that you may be delivered from your pains; but I pray GOD
earnestly that He would give you strength and patience to bear them as
long as He pleases. Comfort yourself with Him who holds you fastened to
the cross: He will loose you when He thinks fit. Happy those who suffer
with Him: accustom yourself to suffer in that manner, and seek from Him
the strength to endure as much, and as long, as He shall judge to be
necessary for you. The men of the world do not comprehend these truths,
nor is it to be wondered at, since they suffer like what they are, and
not like Christians: they consider sickness as a pain to nature, and
not as a favour from GOD; and seeing it only in that light, they find
nothing in it but grief and distress. But those who consider sickness
as coming from the hand of GOD, as the effects of His mercy, and the
means which He employs for their salvation, commonly find in it great
sweetness and sensible consolation.

I wish you could convince yourself that GOD is often (in some sense)
nearer to us and more effectually present with us, in sickness than in
health. Rely upon no other Physician, for, according to my
apprehension, He reserves your cure to Himself. Put then all your trust
in Him, and you will soon find the effects of it in your recovery,
which we often retard, by putting greater confidence in physic than in
GOD.

Whatever remedies you make use of, they will succeed only so far as He
permits. When pains come from GOD, He only can cure them. He often
sends diseases of the body, to cure those of the soul. Comfort yourself
with the sovereign Physician both of soul and body.

I foresee that you will tell me that I am very much at my ease, that I
eat and drink at the table of the LORD. YOU have reason: but think you
that it would be a small pain to the greatest criminal in the world, to
eat at the king's table, and be served by him, and notwithstanding such
favours to be without assurance of pardon? I believe he would feel
exceeding great uneasiness, and such as nothing could moderate, but
only his trust in the goodness of his sovereign. So I assure you, that
whatever pleasures I taste at the table of my King, yet my sins, ever
present before my eyes, as well as the uncertainty of my pardon,
torment me, though in truth that torment itself is pleasing.

Be satisfied with the condition in which GOD places you: however happy
you may think me, I envy you. Pains and suffering would be a paradise
to me, while I should suffer with my GOD; and the greatest pleasure
would be hell to me, if I could relish them without Him; all my
consolation would be to suffer something for His sake.

I must, in a little time, go to GOD. What comforts me in this life is,
that I now see Him by faith; and I see Him in such a manner as might
make me say sometimes, I believe no more, but I see. I feel what faith
teaches us, and, in that assurance and that practice of faith, I will
live and die with Him.

Continue then always with GOD: 'tis the only support and comfort for
your affliction. I shall beseech Him to be with you. I present my
service.
__________________________________________________________________

TWELFTH LETTER

To the same correspondent probably, and expresses his own abiding
comfort through faith.

IF we were well accustomed to the exercise of the presence of GOD, all
bodily diseases would be much alleviated thereby. GOD often permits
that we should suffer a little, to purify our souls, and oblige us to
continue with Him.

Take courage, offer Him your pains incessantly, pray to Him for
strength to endure them. Above all, get a habit of entertaining
yourself often with GOD, and forget Him the least you can. Adore Him in
your infirmities, offer yourself to Him from time to time; and, in the
height of your sufferings, beseech Him humbly and affectionately (as a
child his father) to make you conformable to His holy will. I shall
endeavour to assist you with my poor prayers.

GOD has many ways of drawing us to Himself. He sometimes hides Himself
from us: but faith alone, which will not fail us in time of need, ought
to be our support, and the foundation of our confidence, which must be
all in GOD.

I know not how GOD will dispose of me: I am always happy: all the world
suffer; and I, who deserve the severest discipline, feel joys so
continual, and so great, that I can scarce contain them.

I would willingly ask of GOD a part of your sufferings, but that I know
my weakness, which is so great, that if He left me one moment to
myself, I should be the most wretched man alive. And yet I know not how
He can leave me alone, because faith gives me as strong a conviction as
sense can do, that He never forsakes us, till we have first forsaken
Him. Let us fear to leave Him. Let us be always with Him. Let us live
and die in His presence. Do you pray for me, as I for you.
__________________________________________________________________

THIRTEENTH LETTER

To the same he exhorts for fuller and entire confidence in God, for
body and soul.

I AM in pain to see you suffer so long; what gives me some ease, and
sweetens the feeling I have of your griefs, is that they are proofs of
GOD's love towards you: see them in that view, and you will bear them
more easily. As your case is, 'tis my opinion that you should leave off
human remedies, and resign yourself entirely to the providence of GOD;
perhaps He stays only for that resignation and a perfect trust in Him
to cure you. Since notwithstanding all your cares, physic has hitherto
proved unsuccessful, and your malady still increases, it will not be
tempting GOD to abandon yourself in His hands, and expect all from Him.

I told you, in my last, that He sometimes permits bodily diseases to
cure the distempers of the soul. Have courage then: make a virtue of
necessity: ask of GOD, not deliverance from your pains, but strength to
bear resolutely, for the love of Him, all that He should please, and as
long as He shall please.

Such prayers, indeed, are a little hard to nature, but most acceptable
to GOD, and sweet to those that love Him. Love sweetens pains; and when
one loves GOD, one suffers for His sake with joy and courage. Do you
so, I beseech you; comfort yourself with Him, who is the only Physician
of all our maladies. He is the FATHER of the afflicted, always ready to
help us. He loves us infinitely more than we imagine: love Him then,
and seek not consolation elsewhere: I hope you will soon receive it.
Adieu. I will help you with my prayers, poor as they are, and shall be,
always, yours in our LORD.
__________________________________________________________________

FOURTEENTH LETTER

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.
__________________________________________________________________

FIFTEENTH LETTER

From his death-bed. * Repeats the same exhortation to knowledge, that
we may love.

GOD knoweth best what is needful for us, and all that He does is for
our good. If we knew how much He loves us, we should be always ready to
receive equally and with indifference from His hand the sweet and the
bitter; all would please that came from Him. The sorest afflictions
never appear intolerable, but when we see them in the wrong light. When
we see them in the hand of GOD, who dispenses them: when we know that
it is our loving FATHER, who abases and distresses us: our sufferings
will lose their bitterness, and become even matter of consolation.

Let all our employment be to know GOD: the more one knows Him, the more
one desires to know Him. And as knowledge is commonly the measure of
love, the deeper and more extensive our knowledge shall be, the greater
will be our love: and if our love of GOD were great we should love Him
equally in pains and pleasures.

Let us not amuse ourselves to seek or to love GOD for any sensible
favours (how elevated soever) which He has or may do us. Such favours,
though never so great, cannot bring us so near to GOD as faith does in
one simple act. Let us seek Him often by faith: He is within us; seek
Him not elsewhere. Are we not rude and deserve blame, if we leave Him
alone, to busy ourselves about trifles, which do not please Him and
perhaps offend Him? Tis to be feared these trifles will one day cost us
dear.

Let us begin to be devoted to Him in good earnest. Let us cast
everything besides out of our hearts; He would possess them alone. Beg
this favour of Him. If we do what we can on our parts, we shall soon
see that change wrought in us which we aspire after. I cannot thank Him
sufficiently for the relaxation He has vouchsafed you. I hope from His
mercy the favour to see Him within a few days. Let us pray for one
another.

[He took to his bed two days after and died within the week.]
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Appendix A - The electronic edition.

It is a privilege to release this Public Domain edition of Brother
Lawrence's Practice, though I fear I know very little about it.

It would appear from internal evidence to have been first published
between 1670 and, say, 1700. The text given here is taken from a 16vo
paperback pamphlet of unknown date; Edgar Charles Barton was Book
Steward of the Epworth Press from the time of the Methodist Union of
1932 until 1948, which gives the limits within which the edition came
out.

In order to distinguish this version from a subsequent corrected copy,
I label this release 1.0; and to facilitate ARCHIVE location, request
that all distributed copies bear the name BLPPOG10.xxx

John Harris contact information:
mail: 24 beaconsfield rd, bristol, bs8 2ts, uk
tel: +44 272 738386 (fax same number, call voice first)

27th January 1994, Bristol, England.
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This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal
Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org,
generated on demand from ThML source.