for there is too much that is general, and there must always be too much that is private. I should have much to tell you that happens in complete secrecy, but I regard it as useless to send it to you; all that I pray you is, to mingle acts of grace with the prayers which you make for me, and which I entreat you to multiply at this time. I carried your letter myself with the aid of God, in order that it might be forwarded to Madame de Maubuisson. They gave me a little book, in which this sentence was written with the hand.[1] I know not whether it is in the little book of sentences, but it is beautiful. I am so much hurried that I can say no more. Do not fail in your fasts. Adieu.
11
Letters to Mademoiselle de Roannez[2]
i
In order to answer all the points upon which you address me, and, indeed, to write, although my time is limited.
I am delighted that you like the book of M. de Laval,[3] and the Meditations on Grace; I draw from this important conclusions for what I desire.
I send the details of this condemnation which had frightened[4] you: it is nothing at all, thank God, and it is a miracle that nothing worse is done, since the enemies of truth have the power and the will to oppress him. Perhaps you are of those who merit not to be abandoned by God, and removed from an undeserving world, and he is assured that you will serve the Church by your prayers, if the Church has served you by hers. For it is the Church that merits with Jesus
- ↑ It is wanting here.―W.
- ↑ Charlotte Gouffier de Roannez, sister of the duke of this name, the friend of Pascal, and one of the editors of the Thoughts.
- ↑ Pseudonym under which the Duke de Luynes published different works of piety, among others, Sentences drawn from Holy Scripture and the Fathers.―W.
- ↑ The allusion is probably to the censure of the Sorbonne against Arnauld, in 1656.―W.
