The Brother Lawrence Collection
()
About this ebook
Read more from Brother Lawrence
The Brother Lawrence Collection: Practice and Presence of God; Spiritual Maxims; The Life of Brother Lawrence Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mystical Paths to God: Three Journeys Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPractice of the Presence: A Revolutionary Translation by Carmen Acevedo Butcher Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMystical Paths to God: Three Journeys: The Practice of the Presence of God; Interior Castle; Dark Night of the Soul Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Believer's Secret of the Abiding Presence Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Practice of the Presence of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Practice of the Presence of God and The Spiritual Maxims Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sublime Classic Catholic Super Pack Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Practice and Presence of God: With linked Table of Contents Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Practice of the Presence of God and The Spiritual Maxims Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of a Holy Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMen Pray: Voices of Strength, Faith, Healing, Hope and Courage Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Practicing the Presence of God: Learn to Live Moment-by-Moment Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Practice of the Presence of God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Practice of the Presence of God: and The Spiritual Maxims Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to The Brother Lawrence Collection
Related ebooks
The Practice of the Presence of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Practice and Presence of God: With linked Table of Contents Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Practice of the Presence of God the Best Rule of a Holy Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Short Method of Prayer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Short Method of Prayer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Christian Counsel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Autobiography of Madame Guyon Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInterior Castle Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAbide in Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAbsolute Surrender Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Way: 364 Daily Devotions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWar in Your Heart Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Practice of the Presence of God and The Spiritual Maxims Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Days of Heaven Upon Earth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIntroduction to the Devout Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLost and Restored: Healing Your Heart with the Father Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Interior Castle Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Then God Stepped In Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe God of All Comfort Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jesus Was Not a Rebel: How to Grow in the Power of God Through Humility and Submission Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Imitation of Christ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Rich Young Ruler: A Biblical Novella and Other Short Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAbandonment to Divine Providence (Translated by E. J. Strickland with an Introduction by Dom Arnold) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jesus Himself Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5The Didache: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Freedom from the World: Guidance for Christian Living Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Pilgrim's Progress Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Cave: Hearing God's Voice Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (updated with two new chapters) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Brother Lawrence Collection
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Brother Lawrence Collection - Brother Lawrence
Preface
This book consists of notes of several conversations had with, and letters written by Nicholas Herman, of Lorraine, a lowly and unlearned man, who, after having been a footman and soldier, was admitted a Lay Brother among the barefooted Carmelites at Paris in 1666, and was afterwards known as Brother Lawrence.
His conversion, which took place when he was about eighteen years old, was the result, under God, of the mere sight in midwinter, of a dry and leafless tree, and of the reflections it stirred respecting the change the coming spring would bring. From that time he grew eminently in the knowledge and love of GOD, endeavoring constantly to walk "as in His presence. No wilderness wanderings seem to have intervened between the Red Sea and the Jordan of his experience. A wholly consecrated man, he lived his Christian life through as a pilgrim—as a steward and not as an owner, and died at the age of eighty, leaving a name which has been as
ointment poured forth."
The Conversations
are supposed to have been written by M. Beaufort, Grand Vicar to M. de Chalons, formerly Cardinal de Noailles, by whose recommendation the letters were first published.
The book has, within a short time, gone through repeated English and American editions, and has been a means of blessing to many souls. It contains very much of that wisdom which only lips the Lord has touched can express, and which only hearts He has made teachable can receive.
May this edition also be blessed by GOD, and redound to the praise of the glory of His grace.
First Conversation
The first time I saw Brother Lawrence, was upon the 3d of August, 1666. He told me that GOD had done him a singular favor, in his conversion at the age of eighteen.
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 during the more than forty years he had lived since.
That he had been footman to M. Fieubert, the treasurer, and that he was a great awkward fellow who broke everything.
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 lie equal to a soul truly resigned. That there needed fidelity in those dryness, 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 that 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 farther 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 in 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 (B. Lawrence) as often as I pleased, without any Fear of being troublesome; but if not, that I ought no more to visit him.
Second Conversation
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 engaged in a religious life only for the love of GOD, and I have endeavored 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. But that at last he had seen that this trouble arose from want of faith; and that since then he had passed his life in perfect liberty and continual joy. That he had placed his sins betwixt him and GOD, as it were, to tell Him that he did not deserve His favors, 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 it.
That when an occasion of practicing 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; it is You who 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