Brother Lawrence

Long before Wesley chronicled and systematized an understanding of His Rest, souls entered into it. Few were literate enough to keep a personal journal like this humble monk. The only framework he had to understand his own spiritual condition was his own.

We examine the Conversations and Letters of Brother Lawrence from THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD. Quite early in my own pilgrimage I found a copy of this book and adopted its ideal as my own. For years I applied it’s rule to my life, without having a correct understanding that it was another distinct experience that was being walked out and discussed. Consequently I consecrated and re-consecrated my life to Him, but without faith to be taken to another place in Him. He gave according to my faith. I consequently found pieces of peace; not His perfect peace within. (Edit.)

"The first time I saw Brother Lawrence was upon the 3rd of August, 1666. He told me that GOD had done him a singular favour, 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 in above forty years that he had lived since."

"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." (So I made it my rule to speak in secret tongues constantly, that His spirit would always be stirred up within to the max. Edit.)

"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." (in today’s charismatic churches one is led away from such simplicity. I certainly was at times. Edit.)

"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 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."