Directions for a Holy Life

(Translated from a Norwegian version)

1. The principal instrument or means of our perfection, is contained in this one expression of God to Abraham; Walk in My presence and be perfect. Gen. 17:1

2. The presence of God calms the mind, gives sweet repose and quiet, even amid our daily labours; but then we must be fully yielded to Him, holding nothing back.

3. When we have found God, there is nothing worth looking for in men: we must then give up our very best friends; for the good friend is in the heart, the zealous Bridegroom who is jealous, and will have nobody and anything else beside.

4. It does not require a great deal of time to love God, to draw near and enjoy His presence, to lift our heart to Him, or to adore Him in the depths of our heart, nor to make Him an offering of what we do and suffer; for the very kingdom of God is within us, and to which nothing can do any harm.

5. When the hurry and distraction of the senses, and the roving of the imagination, hinder us from getting into a quiet and composed frame of mind, let us, at least, calm ourselves by the integrity of our will; and the very desire of a composure does, in a manner, prove a sufficient one. We must also turn our minds inward to God, and do whatsoever He would have us, with a pure and upright intention.

6. We must endeavour, with all the powers and faculties of the soul, to constantly awaken in us a desire to be devoted and resigned to God; that is to say, to contemplate Him with our mind, and with our will to love Him: let us also desire, that our mind may be consecrated to Him in all its operations.

7. Let us take care that we be not occupied too long, either outwardly or inwardly, with unprofitable things, which create such distractions both in heart and mind, and draw us so much out of ourselves, that it is with difficulty they can be brought back to being inward enough to find God.

8. As soon as we feel that some foreign object gives us pleasure and joy, let us withdraw our heart from it that the heart may not take up its rest in it. Let us presently show it its true object, and sovereign good, that is, God Himself.

If we are but faithful in ever so small a degree, to wean ourselves inwardly from that which is created, so as to hinder it from resting in the heart, which God has reserved to Himself there to be honoured, adored, and loved, we shall quietly taste that pure joy, which God never fails to give a soul, that is free and disengaged from all worldly affections.

9. When we perceive in ourselves a strong and very eager desire for anything whatsoever and find that our desire and inclination carry us too hastily to do anything, be it only to say something, to see an object, or go anywhere; let us strive to moderate ourselves, and request of God, that He would stay the hastiness of our thoughts, and the commotion we are under, because He has said, that His Spirit abides not in hurry and commotion.

10. Let us take great care that we do not concern and busy ourselves too much with what others say and do, and that we do not let it occupy our minds; for it is a great cause and source of disturbance.

11. As soon as we perceive what it is God requires of us in any particular that presents itself, let us stick to that, and withdraw ourselves from everything else.

By that means we shall always preserve a freedom and evenness of soul and shall be liberated from a great many needless things, which encumber the mind, and hinder it from turning easily to God.

12. An excellent means of keeping ourselves in an inward quiet and freedom of spirit is, at the finishing of every action, to bind all self-regarding reflections arising from it, which sometimes feel like vain joy, and sometimes feel like grief, because this is one of our greatest evils.

Happy is the man who retains nothing in his mind but what is necessary, and who only thinks of each thing just when it is the time to think of it; so that it is rather God who excites the perception and idea of it, by an impression and discovery of His will which we must perform, than the mind’s being troubled to forecast and find it.

13. Let us accustom ourselves to have our minds inwardly recollected each day, and during the course of our employments by looking singly to God. By that, let us still all the commotions of our heart as soon as we perceive it disturbed and moved: let us forsake all pleasures which come not from God; put away all vain thoughts and wild imaginations, and speak no idle words.

Let us seek God within us, and we shall infallibly find Him, and with Him joy and peace.

14. In our outward occupations, let us be occupied more with God than all the rest to do them well, we must do them as in His presence, and for His sake in the sight of God’s majesty; a calmness and serenity should possess our soul. One word of our Saviour’s, in time past, instantly calmed a boisterous and raging sea; and now one look of His towards us and of ours towards Him, should every day do the like.

15. We must often lift our heart to God: He will purify, enlighten and direct it. This was the daily practice of the holy Prophet David; I have set, says he, the Lord always before me. Ps. 16:8. Let us also frequently repeat to ourselves these beautiful expressions of the same Prophet in Ps. 73:25,26: Whom have I in Heaven but You? There is none upon earth that I desire besides You. God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.

16. We need not wait for leisure hours to shut the door and retire; for the moment in which we regret the want of retirement, is enough to bring us into it. We must turn our hearts towards God in a simple and familiar manner, and with great assurance. The most broken minutes can be used for good at all times even when at meals, and when others are speaking. Unprofitable and tedious long stories and relations, instead of tiring, may relieve us, by affording some interval of inward retirement. Thus, all things turn out to the good for those who love God.

17. We should often read such books as are fitting and proper for our state and condition; and in reading, frequently stop and make a pause, to give place to the Spirit that inwardly draws the mind. Two or three plain and simple words, but full of the Spirit of God, are the hidden manna; and though we forget the words, yet they operate secretly, and the soul is fed and nourished by them.

18. We must endeavour to have a continual correspondence and fellowship with God. Let us be persuaded, that the most profitable and desirable state in this life, is that of Christian perfection, which consists in the union of the soul with God; a union that includes in it all spiritual good; a familiarity with God so great, that there are no two friends on earth who converse oftener together, nor with greater endearment, freedom, ease, and openness of heart; a wonderful liberty of spirit, that raises us above all events and changes in life, and that frees us from the tyranny of the respect of man; an extraordinary power for the well performing of all our actions, and acquitting ourselves well in our employments; a prudence truly Christian in all our undertakings; a peace and perfect tranquillity in all conditions; and, in short, a continual victory over egotism, and all our tendencies.

19. This is the happy state to which we are called; we whom God has separated from the corruptions of the world. If we do not partake of these heavenly blessings, it is our own fault; since the Spirit of God disposes and excites us continually to aspire after them. But we resist Him often, either by open repugnance or secret refusal, or for want of resolution and courage; or letting ourselves be willingly deceived by the excuses and ploys of egotism, that produce in us an abundance of petty indulgencies and mismanagement. Let us no longer be led astray by these things, but, as the apostle says, walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.