The penitent lady: or Reflections on the mercy of God.: Written by the fam'd Madam La Valliere, since her retirement from the French king's court to a nunnery. Translated from the French by L.A. M.A.

REFLECT. XXI. That we ought not to be weary of Praying, because we do not find present Comfort, but that we should be faithful to our Resolu∣tions, and have recourse to this Holy Exercise, when we are wrack'd by the greatest pains, and distress'd by the severest Af∣flictions.

OH! that I could be so con∣stand in my Resolutions, as every day to prostrate my self at the Foot-stool of thy Throne, at that set-time which I have conse∣crated unto thee, when thou art pleas'd to give me Audience; and that nothing might divert me from performing this one thing ne∣cessary.

Let me constantly throw my self at thy feet, in whatsoever condition my Soul may be; to the end that when distractions and barrenness of mind hinder me from fixing my thoughts upon thee, or speaking of any thing, but those Vanities which have taken possession of my heart; then the labour which I undergo, those painful pangs which I endure, and those irk∣som attempts which I make to pour forth a Prayer, may render it more acceptable unto thee.

Let me not fancy, that thou hast abandoned me, because my mind is sometimes over∣whelmed with the load of my Corruption, because at such a time as this I cannot form so much as one good thought: For I will still look up and pray unto thee; I will say with that great

King, the holy David, I am like a beast before thee, without spirit, without speech, and without con∣sideration.

Tho' I cannot perform this Duty with a steady intention of mind, yet I will not depart from the Foot-stool of thy Throne; I will pray unto thee with my Heart and with my Will, I will put my trust in thy Goodness; and tho' thou may'st not for the present unite my Soul unto thy self, by the sweet influ∣ences of thy Grace, yet thou wilt accept of my endeavour in this deplorable condition, and esteem it as a testimony of my sincere af∣fection, that it cleaves unto thee, as well when thou art pleased to withdraw thy Comforts, as when it enjoys thy ravishing Consolati∣ons.

But, good Lord, let me not only Pray unto thee with my Understanding, and with my Tongue, but also with my Heart; Let me not only Pray unto thee in my Closet, and in the Church, where the conside∣ration of thy Divine Presence inspires me with Devotion; but grant, O my God, that by Acts of Faith, Hope, and Cha∣rity, I may consecrate unto thee, the Oratory of my Heart; in which I will offer up the Sacrifice of Prayer; For the Devotion of a true Christian is not con∣fin'd to Words, but extends it self unto his Thoughts and Acti∣ons, in all Places and upon all Occasions.

I will do this in the midst of my Wordly Business, nay in the midst of my Diversions, when retiring my self into that Closet of my Breast, which is

dedicated to thee alone, where no eye but thine sees me; I will address my prayer unto thee.

When I find my self most ex∣pos'd to Temptation, when I have the greatest sense of my ovvn Weakness; when Self-love most Tyrannizes over me, and the svveet poyson of pleasure most allures my Soul; then will I sigh most fervently unto thee, and without waiting for a suitable place, or more convenient time, I will presently lay open the Wounds of my Soul and implore thy help.

This shall be at the beginning and end of all my Actions, in the Morning and at Night; in the midst of my Journeys my heart shall take thee for its Polar Star; it shall relye upon thee in every condition, yield it self up to thy Conduct, and implore the succours of thy Grace. And

this will be done with the greater ease, because I shall better express my own vvants and my entire de∣pendance on thy Mercy, by one single sigh, which proceeds from the bottom of my Oppressed Heart, than by the most prolix Devotions.

I will joyn vvith thy Saints, and praise thee in thy Sanctuary with my Lips and my vvith voice; but I will also Pray unto thee with Sighs ahd Groans unutter∣able; in my greatest dangers, and under the most violent pains I will look up unto thee, and in all the actions of my life, with holy David, I will have thee always before my eyes.