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 in 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
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 favors He has done to so miserable a
sinner as I am. May all things praise Him. Amen.

I am, in our LORD, yours, &c.



SECOND LETTER.


_To the Reverend_--

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