L' LIBRARY OF CONGRESS jh '^jju^j^ tL \ 4 Contents. CHAPTER VI. PAGE. His Hope . • . . . . . . . .63 CHAPTER VH. His Love of God 67 CHAPTER VHI. His Love of Man 78 CHAPTER IX. His Outward Behavior and Business Conduct . • .117 CHAPTER X. Of His Death 129 INTRODUCTION. ONSIEUR DE RENTY of France, a brief sketch of whose life is given in the following pages, was, in view of the times in which he lived, one of the most remarkable men of any age. He lived at a time when spirituality was at the lowest pos- sible ebb. Religious wars between Catholics and Protestants were at their height, result- ing in the sacrifice of not less than one mil- lion lives. Louis XIII., having banished his queen-mother, was on the throne ; and the intriguing, Protestant-hating Richelieu was his minister. i ii Introduction. M. De Renty, being a nobleman, or peer of France, was, of necessity, more or less identified with public affairs. He seems to have been a man of uncommon business ability, attending to all bis civil, social, and domestic duties with conscientious exactness. He had a remarkable religious experience. Living before F6nelon and Madame Guyon, those great lights of the seventeenth century, he did not follow them as an example. How far his holy life influenced them, we are unable to say. But he had no need of such examples, as he in all things followed Christ. His piety was not so much of the mystic or quietistic, as of the active type. Though a devout member of the Romish Church, he was untrammelled by her forms, and unstained by her persecuting spirit. He was pre-emi- nently a light in a dark place. His soul thirsted not only to be lost in the divine Introduction* iii will, but to glorify that will in blessing and saving souls. The love of God, with which his soul at all times seemed inflamed, prompted him to engage, without any reference to sacrifice or reproach, in any and every work to which the divine law or the manifest needs of hu- manity called. This little volume was first published by Rev* John Wesley, forming a part of one of the volumes of his early works. We are not aware of its having been published in English in any other form ; and even this has been for a long time out of print. The style was not smooth, being remarka- bly antique. To conform it somewhat to modern style, we have made such changes in the phraseology as we judged necessary ; in all cases retaining the sense, as well as the exact language, of M. De Renty wherever introduced. iv Introduction. The reader will still observe that the style is not as modern as could be desired, and could not be, without a complete recon- struction of the book. But we are sure that any defect in the style will be forgotten by the devout reader, as he imbibes the earnest, loving, God-adoring spirit which is manifest on almost every page. We are sure that no Christian can read this little volume through without catching the spirit of the subject, and being made better. It is another practical example of what grace can do for a human soul under the most disadvantageous circumstances, and connected with corrupt forms of Christianity. May it help all to trust Christ more fully for the fulness of God ! W. Mo Donald. Boston, 1873. Monsieur De Renty. -^§§-h CHAPTER I. HIS BIRTH, MARRIAGE, AND GENERAL "WAY OF LIFE. De RENTY descended from one of the most noble houses of Artois. He was the only son of Charles De Renty, and was born in the year 1611, at Beny in Low Normandy. When about six or seven years of age, his mother carried him to Paris, where he lived with her about two years, when he was put into the college of Navarre. He was subsequently sent to Caen, where he remained until he was seventeen, at 5 6 Monsieur De Renty. which, time he was removed to an acadenry, or school of genteel exercises, in Paris. He soon became accomplished in all the ex- ercises there taught. But what most pleased him was mathematics ; for the study of which he slighted all sorts of diversions till he had thoroughly mastered them. He com- posed several books upon the subject. About this time a stationer, with whom he traded, presented him with Kempis's " Imitation of Christ," and pressed him to read it ; which he had no sooner done than he felt new thoughts and affections, and resolved seriously to pursue the one thing needful, — - the working-out of his salvation. He so esteemed this book, that, ever after, he carried it about him, and made use of it on all occasions. At the age of twenty-two he married Elizabeth de Balsac, daughter of the Count of Graville, by whom he had five children, four of whom (two sons and two daughters) survived him. General Way of Life. 7 Having lived to the age of twenty-seven years, it pleased God to touch his heart more powerfully. This was the beginning of that entire change, that perfect consecration to God's service, which characterized his whole life. He was well convinced of the necessity of a good spiritual guide, if he would be suc- cessful ; and God provided him one, such as his need required, — a person of much learn- ing, of deep piety, and well experienced in giving directions of souls. He was under this man's instruction for twelve years. By his advice, he withdrew altogether from court ; he renounced all visits of pure com- pliment, and all unnecessary employments, to give himself up to those which might glorify God, and help his neighbor. Every day before dinner, and again in the evening, he made a careful search into his smallest faults. He frequently went to the sacrament, having ever an incredible esteem of the holy eucharist, blessing and praising God for its institution, and exciting all men 8 Monsieur De Benty. to do the same. He was wont to say, " that the great design of God in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of his Son, was to convey to us his Spirit, to be unto us life eternal ; and in order to cause us to die to ourselves, and live thereby, he gave him to us in this holy sacrament, and with him all the blessings of grace, to dispose us for those of glory." One day in each week he visited the poor sick people of the great hospital De Dieu ; another, those of his own parish • a third, the prisoners ; and in the rest he used to meet in assemblies for the promotion of piety. He assembled his own family every evening for prayers, and discoursed to them every Satur- day on the gospel for the next day. And of his children he took more special care to en- grave deeply in their minds the fear of God, and to convince them that the customs and maxims of the world were utterly irrecon- cilable to the gospel of Christ. In his journeys he observed the following General Way of Life. 9 order : In the morning, before setting out, they joined in prayer ; after setting out, the first thing done was the saying the itinera- rium ; next, singing the litanies of our Lord; then followed some meditation, and, after that, a part of the divine office. This being done, he entertained the company with some instructive discourse. Beholding the spacious extent of the country, he would speak of the immensity of God. Upon the presenting of any beautiful object, he would discourse of the beauty of God, and in so lively a manner as to touch the very heart. Approaching near the place where they were to dine, he began his self-examination : and being come thither, as soon as he was out of his coach, he went to the church ; and next, if there were any in the place, to the hospital. Being £t his inn, the first thing he did in his chamber was to cast himself on his knees, and to pray with great affection for all per- sons that entered that place, and for pardon of all disorders that had been there commit- 10 Monsieur De Renty. ted. If he saw any thing offensive written on the walls or chimneys, he defaced it, and in the place wrote something of instruction. And always before his departure he endeav- ored to give some good advice to the ser- vants of the house, or to such poor as he met with, that so he might not pass through any place without doing some good there. After dinner, when in his coach again, he took a little time for recollection, then sung the vespers; which done, he desired the com- pany to engage in some useful conversation. About four they sung the evening psalms ; afterward he applied himself to mental prayer ; and, being come to his inn, his ex- ercises were the same with those of the morning. A fuller account of his general way of life he wrote to his second director, as fol- lows : — " I have delayed some days after the com- mand I had to set down the employing of my time, for the better discovering of some General Way of Life. 11 things therein ; but I find nothing there of strict order, because all consists in following the order of God, which causes, in a manner, continually different things, though all upon the same foundation. "For my outward behavior, I usually rise at five, that is, after part of the night spent in prayer. At my awakening, I con- sider myself as nothing before the majesty of God. I unite me to his Son and Spirit. Being risen, I cast myself down, and adore the blessing of the incarnation, which gives us access to God ; and deliver up myself to the Holy Jesus, to be entered into his Spirit. " Being clothed, I go into the chapel, where I cast myself down, and adore God, abasing me before him, and making myself the most little, most naked, most empty, that I can ; and I hold me there by faith, having recourse to his Son and to his Holy Spirit, that whatsoever is his pleasure may be done by me. " Between six and seven I read two chap- 12 Monsieur De Renty. ters of the New Testament, bare headed and on my knees. I then give place to my affairs ; but, if there be no business urgent, I prostrate myself before God till I go to church. There I stay till half an hour past * eleven, except when we dine some poor peo- ple : then I return at eleven. Before dinner I examine myself, and use some prayers for the Church, and for the propagation of the faith. I dine at twelve, and in the while have something read. Half an hour past twelve, I spend an hour with them that have business with me. Then I go out whither the order of God shall direct. Some days are assigned for certain exercises, others are not ; but, be it as it will, I endeavor to spend, about evening, an hour in devotion. About seven, after I have used some prayers, we go to supper. After supper I instruct my children. At nine are family prayers, after which I meditate till ten; and then going to my chamber, and recommending myself to my God, after some short prayers, I endeavor to repose. General Way of Life. 13 " As to the order of my interior, I have not, as I may say, any ; for, since I left my ' Breviary,' * all my forms have left me ; and now, instead of serving me as means to go to God, they would only be hinderances.f I bear in me ordinarily an experimental verity, and a plenitude of the presence of the most Holy Trinity, which elevates me to a simple view of God; and with that I do all that his providence enjoins me, not regarding any thing for their greatness or littleness, but only the order of God, and the glory they may render him. " For the things done in communit}^, I often cannot rest there. I perform, indeed, the exterior for the keeping of order, but follow always my interior, because, when a man hath God, there is no need to search for him else- where. And, when he holds us in one man- ner, it is not for us to take hold of him in * A book containing the daily service of the Roman- Catholic Church. t Let prayer-readers remember this. A full soul needs no book. 14 Monsieur Be Renty. another ; and the soul knows well what unites it, and what multiplies and directs it. " For the interior, therefore, I follow his attractive ; * and, for the exterior, I see the divine will, which I follow, with the discern- ment of his Spirit, in all simplicity : and so I possess by his grace, in all things, silence of spirit, a profound reverence, and solid peace. I continually give up myself to God through Jesus Christ, worshipping him in spirit and in truth, loving him with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength, and seeing in all things the conduct of God, and adorning and following it. And, this only abiding in my soul, all things else are defaced and blotted out. I have nothing of sensible in me, unless now and then some transitory touches. But, if any dare to say it, when I sound my will, I find it so quick and flaming, that it would devour me, if the same Lord who animates it, though unworthy, did not restrain it. * His alluring, or attractive influence. General Way of Life. 15 I enter into a heat and into fire, and, even to my fingers' ends, feel that all within me speaks for its God, and stretcheth itself forth in length and breadth in his immensity, that it may there dissolve, and there lose itself, to glorify him/' CHAPTER II. HIS HUMILITY. g@T. AUSTIN well observes, that pov- t/ erty of spirit is nothing else but hu- mility: the truly humble, knowing ,Q) themselves to be nothing of them- selves but sin and misery ; to have nothing ; as being at best but manifold receivers of the grace of God ; to be able to do nothing ; having no power of themselves even to think a good thought ; and to deserve nothing but shame and contempt, but misery and punish- ment. And they are willing, yea desirous, that all others should think of them as they do of themselves. 16 His Humility. 17 M. De Renty — being well convinced that this is the foundation of all virtue, and that it was the proper virtue of Jesus Christ, whom he had proposed to himself as his pattern in all things, embraced it with his whole affection, — gave himself up to it with all his force, and practised it in its utmost latitude. He had so low an opinion of himself that it would be a difficult thing to express. The greatness of God, whenever he considered it, humbled him to an immeasurable depth. " A mote," said he, " in the sun is very little : but I am far less in the presence of God ; I am nothing." But, correcting himself, he added, " Alas ! I am too much : I am a sinner, an anathema through my crimes." To the same person he wrote, " Methinks I break myself in pieces before God. That I am spoken of, that I have so much as a name, is a strange thing." "I have seen him very often " (says one who knew him well) " humble himself as it were, to the centre of the earth, while he 2 18 Monsieur De Renty. spoke to me of God, saying, it was not for such a one as him to speak of him, but that he ought rather to contain himself in silence." This exceeding low opinion which he had of himself, made him more than once say, with tears in his eyes, that he was much astonished at the goodness of men in suffering of him ; and that he could not enough wonder why everywhere they threw not dirt at him, and that all the creatures did not bandy against him ; and he was persuaded it was much boldness in him to speak, and that men showed great patience in enduring his con- versation. Nor was there any thing which did not serve to increase his humility. He abased himself much in the consideration of the weakness of our nature, of which, as he ex- pressed it, " It is important that a man have experience, that he neither forget himself, nor the place he ought to hold ; that no flesh may glory in his sight ; that being abased, and His Humility. 19 rendered as a thing that is not at all, Jesus Christ may be in him, the life of grace and holiness, waiting for the time of our redemp- tion." But he was much humbled by the consid- eration of his past sins. In one of his letters to his director, he writes thus, " My faults are as one great heap, which I feel in myself, obstructing the light from God. I am strangely remiss and ungrateful : I find much in myself to confound and humble me. 5 ' In another, " I am as blind, or rather more, in seeing my faults as in other things. Only in general, I have a deep sense of my misery ; and I can say I am not ignorant of my un- worthiness, and the deplorable corruption sin hath wrought in me. But lately I mentioned the faults of a certain person to another, that knew of them before, to make him under- stand that he was in a better condition. But my conscience reproached me, that I might have done this without ; and I confess I meddled too much in that affair. In sum, I 20 Monsieur De Renty. am a straggler from God, and a ground overrun with thorns." He drew yet further matter of humiliation from his rank and condition, and the secular advantages which it gave him. He not only despised, but was ashamed of them; often groaning before the majesty of God, and say- ing, he was in the lowest condition, accord- ing to the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and that he had great confusion to see himself in that estate. Hence it was, that he solemnly re- nounced his nobility, and gave it into the hands of our Lord ; that he did not love even for any one to call him " Monsieur;" and that he wholly declined the title of " Mar- quis " (which was proper to his house), and suffered only that of Baron of Renty. Even the gifts and graces of God made him more humble, thus producing their true effect ; which is to abase and elevate the soul both together, — to raise it to God, and abase it to itself. In whatever good was done by him he assumed no share at all, but referred His Humility. 21 all to God, the true source. And so, in the management of all those talents, he had al- ways his hands clean, without touching what appertaineth to God. Nor would he there- fore that any one should consider him in what he said or did, but regard God alone therein. And, to one who much desired a visit from him, he wrote thus, " I cannot bear the account you make of my visits and so- ciety. Let us look much upon God ; let us bind ourselves strictly to Jesus Christ, that we may learn of him fully to renounce our- selves. Oh, my God ! when will it be that we shall eye ourselves no more, when we shall speak no more of ourselves, and when all vanity shall be destroyed ! " He likewise esteemed himself most un- worthy of any of the grace or favors of God. Of which he says to a friend, " The gifts of God are sometimes so great, that they put us beyond ourselves. As among men, if a poor man receives a gift from a prince, according to the grandeur of his own power, he is 22 Monsieur Be Rerity. utterly overwhelmed, and can find no words to express his acknowledgment : so God gives blessings that go beyond our expecta- tions or capacities, and which make us see how unworthy we are, without daring to lift up our eyes, so doth their brightness dazzle, and their greatness astonish us." The same opinion which he had of him- self he was willing, yea, desirous, that others likewise should have of him. "If I were to wish any thing," said he, " it should be to be much humbled, and to be treated as an off-scouring by men." And hence he re- ceived contempt, when it came, not with patience only, but with joy; of which he gave an evident proof in his first journey to Dijon, whence he thus wrote to his direc- tor : — " The reports here spread concerning me are, that I have nothing but artifice and shows of devotion ; and that I kept private, out of fear, by coming abroad, of discovering what I was. Most, I find, even of those His Humility. 23 from whom I expected quite the contrary, have solicited against me. And hereby God hath shown me many favors. I have been with them, and received humiliation with great joy. I have been very wary of opening myself in any thing that might recommend me to them. I have only done in my busi- ness what truth required ; and, for any thing else, I have made it matter of confusion, as I ought. I shall be here, I believe, as one excommunicate, as the scape-goat of the old law, — driven out into the wilderness for my enormous sins. I desire only to love God, and condemn myself." Nor was it only in his words, but in his actions also, that the humility of his heart appeared. Since his entire dedication of himself to God, he would not suffer a cushion to be carried to church for him ; but, to be there hid and disregarded, he often mingled himself among mechanics and mean persons. He kept himself always as much as he could at the lower end of the church; and fre- 24 Monsieur Be Benty. quently, if the door was shut, said his prayers on the outside of it, that he " might not," as he said, " put any to the trouble of opening it to a poor sinner." During the war at Paris, he went himself to buy bread for the poor, and carried through the streets as* much as his strength would permit. At the same time offering to take into his care the church-plate of a mon- astery ; he pressed them to let him carry it to his lodging (which was two miles away) and on foot as he was, — a very large and weighty piece. And being desired, that, when he did them the favor to visit them again, he would come in his coach, by reason of the distance, he answered, he did not love to make use of a coach ; he must en- deavor to make himself in every thing very little. He went, therefore, thither on foot, and returned at five or six, in the shortest clays, sometimes in thawing weather. And, being told of the pains he took, he replied, " Our Lord took pains in a far other manner." His Humility. 25 When he was assisting with his own hand in the repairing of one of his houses, he thus expressed himself : — " Blessed forever be our great God, by Jesus Christ ! I believe I ought to labor in the lowest employments ; and the time I spend therein I count very dear, regarding it as ordered by God. What makes me the more to know it is his order is this, — that from time to time I feel more of retribution from him in one instant than the patience and humiliation of a sinner could merit in all his life. He so opens himself to me, that I am quite mollified, and melted into tears. My eyes are so full of them, that often I have much ado to keep them in, pierced as I am with love, with reverence, and with acknowledgment of his goodness manifested by his enlightening presence, and of his inex- plicable conduct. I see we are not, by a spirit of pride, under pretence of the glory of God, to dispense with ourselves from laboring in things mean and painful. It was 26 Monsieur Be Renty. a work very gross and mean for Jesus Christ to converse with men, who had more of rudeness than these stones I deal with. Oh that I may obtain a part in his obedience, and submission to the orders of God his Father !" Being obliged, one day, to go to a person of great quality on business which much concerned the glory of God, he would not consent to use his coach, though he was to traverse, in a manner, all Paris in a pouring rain. One requested, that at least his foot- man carry a cloak, which he might use when he returned. But he yielded not. He only consented to throw the cloak over him ; and in the nobleman's house he laid aside the wet cloak, and appeared in the other ordinary one of his own. Another example of his humility, of which he wrote to his director, Dec. 26, 1646 : — " The other day, my lord-chancellor's lady sent me a packet of letters, in which were some from the king, wherein I was made His Humility. 27 counsellor of state. I sent her word that I received what had the mark of the king with all respect ; but I most humbly begged she would be pleased to take it in good part if I did not accept those letters, but desired that the business might sleep without noise. My disposition towards affairs of this nature is to have nothing at all to do with them. If they come upon me perforce, without my seeking, our Lord will give me strength to bear them." To the same person, on another occasion, he wrote as follows : — " Walking one day through the streets of Paris in a mean dress, I deeply reflected on that of the apostle, 4 We are become as the filth and off-scouring of the world.' I con- sidered how much neatness and new things, even in the most trifling instances, do hurt (if one take not good heed) the simplicity and lowliness of a Christian spirit. And I saw it was a great temptation for any to think to preserve his outward grandeur in 28 Monsieur Be Renty. hopes thereby to have more weight and au- thority for the service of God. This is a pretence, indeed, that the infirmity of most Christians makes use of in the beginning ; but experience draws them at last to Jesus Christ, who was made the lowest of men." A further proof of his humility was seen in his carriage to the director. He did nothing that concerned himself, without his knowl- edge. To him he proposed, clearly and punctually, whatever he designed, either by speaking or writing, desiring his " advice, his pleasure, and blessing upon it ; " and that, with the utmost respect and submission, and without reply or disputing, he simply and ex- actly followed his order. His director having written to him, he answered in these terms : " I beseech you to believe, that although I am most imperfect, and a great sinner, yet, if you do me the favor to send me a word of what you know to be necessary for me, I hope, with God's help, to profit thereby. I pant not after any thing but to find God and His Humility. 29 Jesus Christ, in simplicity and truth. I pre- tend to nothing in this world but this ; and beside this I desire nothing." The last effect of his humility which we shall mention was his extreme contempt of the world. He despised all which it could give or promise, — all its goods, pleasures, honors, dignities ; counted all its allurements as dung and dross ; trampled under foot all its glories. He beheld for this end our Lord for his pat- tern, who, from his very first entrance into it, made an open profession of an absolute con- tempt of it, " Because he was not of the world." To animate a lady with the same spirit, he wrote to her thus : " I wonder how a thing so little as man, drawn out of nothing in his original, infected with his first parent's sin, and the addition of his own, when he is raised to so high a degree of honor as to be one with Christ the Son of God, can con- tinue to esteem the world, or make any ac- count of its vanities ! Shall the things of 30 Monsieur Be Benty. the earth waste the little time we have to secure the treasures of heaven, — things that will all pass away like a dream, as we see our fathers are gone already, and there is no more remembrance of them. Their joys and griefs, their pleasures and pains — are they not all vanished away ? And are we not sure they were out of their senses, if they con- sidered any thing but God in their ways ? The same will befall us. Every thing else will pass away, and God alone will abide." The same lady, in another letter, he en- courages thus : " Courage, all is well ! We must die to the world, and search out the hinderances it brings to our perfection. We must live in the world as not living there ; possess it as not possessing it. Let us drive out of our minds the affection to our fine houses; let us ruin the delights of our gar- dens ; let us burn our groves ; let us banish these vain images which we have of our children, approving in them what we con- demn in ourselves, — the show and glitter of the world." His Humility. 31 " I know there is a difference of conditions ; but all ought to reject those entailments on noble blood (as men account them), those principles of aspiring to the highest, and of bearing nothing. Let us take from them this vanity of mind, this stateliness of be- havior ; let us arm them against the perni- cious examples of those grandees in story, whose punishments are as eminent in hell as their presumption was upon earth. " My design is not that you should demol- ish your walk, or let your gardens run into a wilderness. The ruins I speak of must be made in our own minds, not executed on things insensible. When I say we must set all on fire, my thoughts were to follow that admirable spirit of the apostle, who would that we have poverty amidst our riches, and divestment in the midst of our possessions. He means that our spirit be thoroughly puri- fied, and separated from all creatures ; be- cause a Christian does himself great wrong, if he entertains in his heart any other inch- 32 Monsieur Be Renty. nations than those of Jesus Christ, who saw- all the world without destroying it, but, withal, without cleaving to it." It is to bring us to this spirit that God permits us to meet so many pains and trou- bles in the world ; as when a man plans thorns in one way to make men take another. " God has his ends," says M. De Renty, " in all these contrarieties ; viz., that those who are his should be yet more his, and despise more and more all that is in the world. By these the confusion and vanity of the world are made known to them that are not of it, who, being in the spirit of death, wait for nothing more there but death, bringing forth, in the mean while, the fruits of life eternal." CHAPTER III. HIS SELE-DENIAL AND MORTIFICATION. ^ S it is absolutely necessary for every soldier of Christ, who would not fight as one that beateth the air, to keep the body under, and bring it into subjection, M. De Renty vigorously ap- plied himself to this work. He made but one meal a day for several years, till he was enjoined to take more nourishment to be the better able to undergo the great labors he undertook for his neighbor. He nevertheless ate but little, and always of the most com- mon food. A person who observed him at dinner one day took notice that all he ate 3 33 34 Monsieur Be Eenty. was some pears, and that with so great seriousness and recollection, that it was easy to discern that his mind was on God, and not upon his meat. When one of his friends entertained him one day at Caen, he was much grieved (as he afterwards declared) that Christians should be feasters ; adding, it was a torment to be where there was so much superfluity. Hereon his friends took no more thought about his diet, knowing his best entertain- ment was the meanest fare, and that they could not oblige him more than by leaving him to his liberty. And often at Paris, when he was so far from home, that he could not return to dinner, he would step into a baker's shop, and secure a piece of bread and a draught of water, and then cheerfully go on with his business. Being come to Pointois in winter, and lodging at the Carmelite Nuns, he told them not to make a fire or prepare a bed. He then went to visit the prisoners (which he His Self-Denial and Mortification. 35 never forgot) ; and on his return (about nine in the evening), finding them going to prayers, without taking any thing to eat, he went into the church with them, where he continued till eleven. And indeed at every time and every place, on every occasion, even in the smallest things, he kept a watchful eye over himself, that he might in no in- stance fulfil the desires of the flesh, but daily inure himself to endure hardship. A short description of his mortification, or deadness to the world, we have in his own words: "Since the time I gave up my liberty to God, I was given to understand to what a state the soul is brought, which is capable of union with him. I saw my soul reduced into a small point, contracted and shrunk up to nothing. At the same time I beheld myself as encompassed with whatsoever the world loves, and, as it were, a hand removing all this far from me, and plunging it into the ocean. First, I saw removed all outward things, — kingdoms, great offices, stately 36 Monsieur De Renty. buildings, rich and elegant furniture, gold and silver, recreations, pleasures ; all which hinder the Soul in her way to God, of which, therefore, it is his pleasure she be divested, that she may arrive at that death which will bring her into the possession of real life. Secondly, all inward things, which are of a • more delicate and precious nature, — as learn- ing, reason, strength of memory, and under- standing ; to which, likewise, we are in a manner dead, if we are alive to God. And I perceived that we must come like little infants, simple and innocent, separated not only from evil, but even from our ordinary manner of doing what is good. We are to undertake what things the divine Providence presents to us by making our way by God to them, rather than by them to God. A truly mortified Soul sees nothing but God ; not so much (if I may so speak) as the things she does, of which nothing stays in her — neither choice nor joy nor sorrow — for their great- ness or for their littleness, for good or bad His Self-Denial and Mortification. 37 success, but only the good pleasure and order of God, which ruleth in all things, and which in all things contents the soul that adheres to him, and not to the vicissitude of affairs, and is therefore constantly, even always, the same in the midst of all changes." As to the particulars of M. De Renty's mortification, he was, in the first place, dead to riches. " I acknowledge before God " (says he in a letter to his director) " his great mercy to me through his Son in freeing me from the things of this world ; and my con- stant thoughts are, that, if his order did not oblige me to do otherwise, I would quit all that I have." To another: " All that can be imagined in this world is of small con- cern, though it were the losing of all our goods. This poor ant-hill is not worth a serious thought. Had we but a little faith and a little love, how happy should we esteem ourselves in giving away all to attend on God only! " Thus, even in the possession of riches, 38 Monsieur Be Benty. was his heart entirely disengaged from them. And, when the greater part of his estate was in danger of being lost, he said, without the least emotion, " Since God hath committed this estate to me, I will do what shall be- hoove me to preserve it ; and then 'tis all one to me what follows." Yea, he often expressed a kind of holy envy toward the poor, and a high esteem of their condition, both as most advantageous for Christian per- fection, and because Christ himself had lived and died therein. " I avow to you " (says he to a friend), " the more of riches come to me, the more do I discover of the malignity affixed to them. My heart is strongly inclined to follow Him who was the most poor and depressed among all his fol- lowers. But that I know I may not put myself into that estate, I should pant after it very much. What I infer from hence is this, that, not knowing the counsels of God, I cannot tell how he will dispose of me for the future ; but I offer myself up to what- His Self-Denial and Mortification. 39 soever shall please him, knowing that with him I can do all things." And as he was dead to riches and to all the things of the world, so he was to the persons in it; having no affection for any, but what was grounded upon and subordi- nate to the love of God. This was particu- larly observable with regard to those who were engaged to him by one of the tenderest ties, who depended upon him, and used his counsel for the conduct of their souls. To one of these he wrote : "I cannot hear with- out trouble the great matter you make of my conversation. Let us breathe after God, and learn from Jesus Christ an entire renuncia- tion of our own affections." And in another letter he says, " Jesus Christ is ever the same, and his grace is continually advancing ; and, as long as I am his, I shall be yours for his sake. He is not wont to part souls by the separation of bodies ; since his custom is, only to take away what might be a hinder- ance to the perfect life of the spirit." 40 Monsieur De Renty. To a friend who had lost his director, he wrote thus : " His remove would doubtless be a great loss to you and all the country, if the providence of God did not rather sanc- tify and establish than destroy. But, by removing these visible supports, he often settles us more firmly in our adherence to him through Christ, where we find all power, and who is so near that he is even in the midst of us. And, when our dependence upon creatures is cut off by his providence, we experimentally find that we are not left destitute, but that supply is made either by the spirit which dwelleth in us, or by his ministers that remain ; who the fewer they are, the more is the grace we receive by them multiplied. Nor should we be further en- gaged to those who assist us in our spiritual conduct than as to God's instruments, whose help it is his will we should make use of, but no longer than he pleaseth ; and when it is his will to take them from us by death, or otherwise, we ought not to lose our His Self -Denial and Mortification. 41 courage, but with submission and gratitude resign all to him, who will again provide for us as seemeth him best." He was dead also to all desire of every kind. Being one day asked how he could be so quiet in such circumstances, he an- swered, that, through God's mercy, he was indifferent to all things, and that he no longer felt either fear or desire of any thing. And, writing to his director, he says, " For the future I could wish, if there be any thing left for me to wish, that I had nothing left me but my God. This is the rich treasure of the heart, the sure replen- ishment of the soul.' 9 He had no eager desire even of sensible consolations, touching which he expressed himself thus : " Dryness, and other troubles of spirit, are to be borne with upon any terms; and we must give up ourselves as forlorn creatures, throwing ourselves wholly upon God." And again : " However dry your soul may be when you endeavor to 42 Monsieur De Benty. place it in a state of reverence and affiance in the presence of God, persevere still as much as you can, and keep yourself shut up in the cabinet of your heart ; suffer not the noise of all those tempests without ; be still, and mind them not. They have all their use : they serve to purge the soul, and dis- pose it for the operation of God upon it. Let, then, distractions, and all sorts of imagi- nations, assault you, as it pleaseth God ; but let them not hinder you from that holy exercise ; diverting (as you are able) your mind from them, continue your sacrifice, with full assurance you shall not wait long before your Lord come." And, when he found himself for a time in such a condi- tion, he would cry out aloud, "I am thine, God ! in spite of all these things, and so 1 will continue without reserve forever." And sometimes he would write with his finger upon the ground, " I am content with every thing that proceeds from the will of God; I ask nothing else but what he ap- His Self-Denial and Mortification. 43 points for me ; I will never trouble myself to be freed from dryness ; my resolution is, to bless God at all times." Finally he was dead to his own will, which he had perfectly resigned in con- formity to the will of God. " Far be it from me," saith he in one of his letters, to act in this by my own spirit : I would have it wholly annihilated, that it might know no other language but nothing, and continually nothing ; to follow in all the footsteps of the divine will, according to its measure and manner." In another, thus : " My Saviour hath graciously brought me to such a state of indifferency for every thing, that I could be well contented, all my life, to be fixed to my bed, a paralytic, not able to stir, without making any reflection on any service I might render to my neighbor, or that I could ren- der him no more ; all things according to the will of God being equal to me." And in another : " Of late I have been busied in such employments as were sufficient to have over- 44 Monsieur Be Renty. whelmed so weak a spirit as mine, had it not been absolutely resigned to the will of God. It is on him alone I rest, having renounced myself. I adore the decrees of his sacred will, who holdeth all things in his own hands, to keep us subject unto him by his justice, and to sanctify us by his love ; happy if we have the hearts of children, the spirit of Christ Jesus, to sigh after him, and cry continually, ' Abba, Father.' " CHAPTER IV. HIS PATIENCE. <£&> | NQUESTIONABLY the humble man is patient, because he knows he de- serves far more than he suffers ; and whoever will search into the true cause of his own impatience will find it to be no other than pride. On the contrary, M. de Renty, being most humble, was, con- sequently, most patient. Persons who had lived a very long time with him, and carefully observed all his actions, never heard him complain for any thing whatever, — neither for sickness or loss, or any other occasion ; but they always ob- 45 46 Monsieur Be Renty. served in him a constancy immovable ; con- tinually lifting up his heart to God, and offering all to him, without otherwise dwell- ing on what was grievous ; being glad that the work of God went on, and receiving all in the spirit of sacrifice. In his second journey to Dijon, with his wife and the Countess of Chatres, he was seized with a violent rheumatism, inducing severe pain in every part of his body, obli- ging him to take his bed, to which he went supported by a staff, and by a person that led him. But, notwithstanding the extremity of the pain, he made no complaint, nor uttered one word. The ladies, seeing him first quite pale and wan, and in a moment all on fire, told him that he was very ill. He answered only by a discourse on the pain endured by Jesus Christ, and the favor it was for a soul to suffer for God's will, but in terms so full of sweetness, and with so much of love and zeal, that the company were affected with great devotion in hearing him. His Patience. 47 When he was again asked whether he was not in much pain, he at length answered plainly, " My pains are great, even to swoon- ing ; but though I feel their extremity, yet. through the grace of God, I yield not up myself to them, but to him." He said further, that being led into his chapel of Citry, and set down upon a bench by reason of his illness, the bench broke without any visible cause, and that he believed the evil spirit had broken it in order to provoke him to impatience, making him fall untowardly. "But by the mercy of God," said he, " though the pain that surprised me was sharp, I was no more moved than you see me now." Nor was it only in sickness, but in all oc- currences of life, he carefully practised this virtue ; so that whatsoever befell him, though it shocked his whole nature, — his body, spirit, judgment, will, inclination, desires, designs, and those of the best sort, — he possessed his soul in patience and tranquillity, receiving all 48 Monsieur De Renty. without any alteration, without being either exalted or dejected by it. " Praying to God," says he in one of his prayers, before the holy sacrament, " a poor man came to me to beg an alms. In this instant it was given me to understand, that, if we were well enlightened, we should never imagine ourselves to be hindered by any person or thing, because we should in all things regard the order of God, conduct- ing all to our advantage ; we should see that both inward and outward distractions are to be received with this same spirit ; and that the uneasiness these little accidents give us springs purely from our want of mortifica- tion. We ought indeed, as far as we can, to shun the occasions ; but, when they come, we must look upon them as ordered by God, and receive and bear them with all sweet- ness, humility, and reverence : and, though they interrupt us, the order of God is not interrupted in us. And this, indeed, is the great secret of the spiritual life : this is para- dise upon earth. His Patience. 49 " In truth, nothing troubles us but through our own fault. All the vexation which we inwardly feel or outwardly show when any one crosses or hinders us from doing any thing, flows from the disorder of our too much engaged spirit. For the removing of which, and the keeping our hearts in peace, we must mark this well, — whoever hinders us from doing one good work, thereby gives us the means of practising another. A man, for instance, interrupts your reading and prayer ; but he gives you an occasion of exercising patience, which at this time will please God, and perfect you more than all those employments. In them there was something of your own will ; but in this you wholly renounce yourself. And the fulness of God is not but in the emptiness of the creature." One great source of M. De Renty's pa- tience was the high esteem he had of suf- ferings, which sometimes made him ready to cry out with that holy woman, " Either to 4 50 Monsieur De Renty. die or suffer ! " " I see," says he, " that in a manner every thing is unprofitable in this life but to suffer. Every pleasure is a too hasty seizure of that recompense which is not due to criminals, who sojourn in this world only to be purged. Some pleasures, indeed, may be sometimes necessary, in re- gard of our weakness ; but even they are apt to hinder the soul from attaining so high a degree of perfection." " Though I dare not choose or bring suffer- ings upon myself " (says he in a letter to his director), " yet, having always before my eyes how little I render to God for his favors, I am inflamed to suffer with our Lord. In every other thing we are receivers from God ; but in this, though we receive the grace to suffer, yet the suffering is that which we can in a manner give to God, and which is the best gauge and proGf of our love." But he very wisely adds, " Although I know this, yet I cease not to know what I am : and, amidst all my inclinations and desires, I dare His Patience. 51 not beg to suffer the least thing ; or, if I happen to do so, I revoke it afterwards as having done foolishly. I have too much experience of my weakness. I give myself only to my God for every thing he pleases. By his order I will all. With him I can do all ; and that which is ordered by him is always accompanied by grace." The same spirit he earnestly recommended to all who were studious of Christian per- fection. To one of whom he said, " It is a great favor to suffer ; that is, if you suffer in the spirit of Jesus Christ. But there are very few that do so ; very few who are perfectly resigned to what God ordains con- cerning them ; very few without some dis- quietude and dwelling in their thoughts upon their pressures ; few that give all events to the conduct of God, to employ themselves entirely in his praise, and to give way by their acquiescence and submission for him to exercise all his rights and power over them." 52 Monsieur Be Renty. One that was in great pain he encouraged thus : " Many are called Christians ; but few have a Christian spirit. Many look up to heaven in their prayers ; but in their lives they are children of nature, looking only upon the earth. If they do lift up their eyes to heaven, it is only to complain ; to pray God to condescend to their desires, not to show their acceptance of his. Or per- haps they will give some small things to God, but not those on which they have fixed their affection. If he separates them from them, it is a dismembering which he must make, and to which they cannot con- sent ; as though the life of Christians were not a life of sacrifice, a continual imitation of a crucified Saviour. " God, who knows our wretchedness, takes from us, for our good, the cause of our evil, — a parent, a child, a husband, — that he may by another evil — affliction — draw us to himself, and make us see that all these ties to what- soever it be that separates us from him are His Patience. 53 so many obstacles to our real happiness, and such obstacles, that we shall one day own, in the face of all the creation, the greatest mercy he ever did us was to free us from them. But we must beware not to count this mercy a chance or misfortune ; for this would be to turn the remedy into poison. " Let us enter into the holy disposition which was in Christ, tq suffer willingly for the glory of God and our salvation. Is it not strange, that though the way he passed through to glory was ignominy, pain, and the cross, yet they who call themselves his fol- lowers desire and expect another way for themselves to walk in ? It is a shame for a Christian to pass his days more at ease than Jesus Christ did. Let us, therefore, go after him, and suffer with him. Blessed be sick- ness, the loss of honor, riches, goods of the nearest things, and the separation from all creatures which hold us bowed towards the earth, if it set us straight, and make us lift up our eyes to heaven, and enter into the 54 Monsieur Be Renty. designs of God over us ! Blessed be the plague, the war, the famine, all the scourges of God, which produce in us these effects of grace and salvation ! " The greatest exercise of patience he ever had was that which was given to him by his mother. She had claimed a large share of what his father had bequeathed to him ; who, with great submission and respect, gave her all that he believed her due over and above ; but she demanded still more. Being advised by his council that it could not be given with- out wrong to his children, he referred the whole business to arbitrators, and agreed that his mother should choose them all. The day being come for their giving sentence, his mother was in one chamber of the house, and her son, with his wife and a friend, in another, where his employment was to pray to God for such an issue as might be for his glory and the procurement of peace. When the award was brought, although it was not advantageous to him, and there was a large His Patience. 55 penalty on whomsoever did not abide by it, he heard it with perfect calmness, and imme- diately signed it without objection or dis- pute. Believing now that his mother was fully satisfied, he no sooner returned home than he caused " Te Deum " to be sung, beginning it himself, in thanksgiving for this happy con- clusion. But God, to refine and purify him the more, permitted the cross to continue upon him ; for his mother, not satisfied yet, found means to appeal from the award, with- out incurring the penalty. Her son did all that was possible for him to do to alter her design. After earnest prayer, and extraordinary fasting, he went to her, cast himself on his knees before her, and with the utmost reverence, humility, and submission, begged of her over and over, with abundance of tears, that she would please to take him and his family to herself ; and after that she might dispose as she pleased of all the goods his father had left him. But neither would 56 Monsieur Be Renty. she consent to this, but persisted in her reso- lution of suing him at the parliament of Dijon. This he might have prevented, and never stirred out of Paris ; but, in respect to her, he declined it, and determined to go to Dijon. On his arrival at Dijon, he found the minds of all fully prejudiced against him, which he gladly endured, that he might be par- taker of the reproach, and honor the abase- ment, of the Son of God. And when a person of piety acquainted him with the strange reports which were spread abroad concerning him, he with admirable calmness raised his heart to God, and humbled him- self before' him. She asked whether it was true that injurious papers had been put in against his mother. He answered, No : he had seen all the writings, and found them drawn with the respect due to a parent. She asked, further, if he was not much afflicted at her harsh manner of proceeding against him. He replied,' " No ; because I so much His Patience. 57 adore the order of God over me, that I cannot be afflicted at that which he permits to befall me. I am a great sinner ; and therefore not only my mother, but all the world, have just cause to take part against me." She adds, in a memorial, that many ways were proposed for adjusting the difference, but that it was the greatest difficulty in the world to bring his mother to join in any; that, in the midst of these delays, she said to M. De Renty, " Sir, I shall willingly say the Te Deum when once your business is ended." One day, when they believed it would be wholly concluded, he came to her with a cheerful countenance, and said, " It is now time, say the Te Deum, since you had the goodness to promise it. And may I be so bold as to desire to say it with you ? Oh ! what a great and wise God have we, who knows well how to do all things, — as they ought, and when they ought, — not according to our precipitation, but his order, 58 Monsieur Be Renty. which is our sanctification ! " Hereupon he said the " Te Deum," with a spirit so elevated to God as gave sufficient evidence of his being wholly filled with him. And when, afterwards, all was broken off, without hope of making up again, he said, " It is well. Though nothing be done, it was very fit to return thanks to God for doing his own will, and not that of a sinner unworthy to be heard or regarded." There passed many other things at Dijon, and since at Paris, during these differences, even to the death of his mother; but I doubt not, he who is now in the place of perfect charity approves of passing over in silence the failings of her to whom, all his life, he bore so much love and respect. ^7 CHAPTER V. HIS FAITH. DE RENTY studied with a particu- lar care a solid foundation for this virtue, knowing how all other virtues depend upon it ; and he possessed it in so high a degree, that he was more assured of the presence of God, and the truth of the mysteries of Christianity, than of the shin- ing 6f the »un. He truly lived by faith : this was the path wherein he walked. He beheld things not with his bodily eyes, but with those that pierced deeper ; considering them not according to their present condi- 59 60 Monsieur Be Renty. tion, or the order of nature, but according to their future and eternal, their relation to grace and glory ; regarding nothing but as it was or might be a means of his own or others' salvation. Being fortified by this faith, he was wont to say he felt no difficulty at all, when, in his younger years, he was in a state of dryness, wholly deprived of sensible comforts. In one of his letters he says, " We seldom meet with persons addicted to prayer that behave themselves well under inward trials.* They have no patience to wait for comfort. They fret themselves, and hurry this way and that, as if by their own means they could procure it, seeking for another support than that of faith ; which alone should suffice any spiritual man. For the just should live by faith, and on that foundation rest, in expectation of our Saviour, with patience ;' knowing these joys are but supplements to * He means, those who depend on their prayers, and do not trust alone in Christ. Believing is more pleasing to G-od than praying. His Faith. 61 the littleness, and cordials for the faintings of our faith." Animated by this spirit, he relied not on any thing that came to him in an extraordi- nary way; resting neither on visions, mira- cles, revelations, nor inward motions, but solely on a pure and naked faith, to carry him to God. He knew that Christian perfection con- sisted in nothing else but the renewal of the soul in faith, hope, and charity ; in perform- ing to God the sacrifice^ of a lively faith, a perfect hope, and a fervent charity. To cul- tivate and adorn his soul with these was therefore his constant care, to unite it more and more intimately with God, through faith working by love, and to give himself up with all his strength to this hidden and divine life. Some years before his death, he was pecu- liarly employed in the contemplation of the blessed Trinity. He gave this account to his spiritual guide : " I carry about with me ordi- 62 Monsieur De Reniy. narily an experimental verity, and a pleni- tude of the presence of the Holy Trinity." And again: "I possess the sacred Trinity, with a plenitude of truth and clearness ; and this in so pure and vigorous a manner, that my outward employment creates me no diversion at all." At another time he writes thus : " Jesus Christ worketh the experience of his kingdom in my heart ; and I find him there my Lord and my Master, and myself wholly his. I discover now a greater en- largement of my heart, but such as I am not able to express ; only thus, it is a simple but most real sight of the Trinity, continually accompanied with praising, blessing, and of- fering all homage thereto." CHAPTER VI. HIS HOPE. STRONG faith always produces a firm hope and charity. A true belief 7 in God — what he is in himself, and what he is to us — will work a strong affiance in him, and ardent charity towards him, as appeared in M. De Renty, who, being grounded in faith, had also an undarinted hope, and inflamed affections. The experience of the power and mercy of God, and faith in the infinite merits of our Redeemer, were the two pillars on which he built his hope; and, resting on these, he hoped all things. He used to say, that, 64 Monsieur Be Benty. when lie looked at himself, there was noth- ing so little wherein he apprehended not difficulty ; but, when he looked upon God, he could think nothing difficult, much less impossible. Accordingly, in all affairs, he relied not upon his own prudence, conduct, care, or any human strength or wisdom, but on God alone, saying, "When we have done our duty, with great diffidence in ourselves, we ought to attend wholly on God, and wait his time." Writing to a friend, he says, " As for my children, I leave them in the hands of the Holy Jesus, without determining any thing concerning them, not knowing what would befall them to-morrow. He giveth me great confidence in his protection, which renders me altogether blind, without wishing any thing, but being ready for his will in every thing." Guarded with his perfect confidence, he feared nothing, but remained firm and reso- lute against all encounters. He walked His Hope. 65 securely in all places at all times, — in the streets, in the fields, by day and by night ; travelling through woods and forests re- puted dangerous, and frequented by robbers, without any other defence than his trust in God. A friend told him one day, he was afraid to walk in the evening in the streets of Paris without a sword, and desired his ad- vice. He replied that he had left off wear- ing a sword a long time, and advised him, after he had commended the business to God by prayer, to trust in his protection, assur- ing himself that his protection over us is according to our reliance upon him. One day a scaffold on which he stood with his workmen fell clown, and hurt several of them ; but it moved not him. His spirit re- mained in the same evenness as if nothing had happened, being settled on Him in " whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." These words were found in one of his let- ters to his director: " My soul, being armed 66 Monsieur De Renty. with confidence and love, fears neither the devil nor hell, nor all the stratagems of man. Neither think I at all on heaven or earth but only how to fulfil the will of God in every thing." CHAPTER VII. HIS LOYE OF GOD. X HE sentiments which M. De Renty had of the love of God are thus ex- pressed in a letter to his director : " In '& all I read in the Scripture I neither understand nor find any thing but this love. The very end of the commandment is love out of a sincere heart. And this is acquired by faith in Christ Jesus, as the apostle ob- serves in the following words : ' Faith uniteth us to him, whereby we sacrifice our souls and bodies through his Spirit ; which conducteth us to the complete end of the law, to deliver us up to God, and bring him clown to us in 67 68 Monsieur De Renty. charity, and a gracious inexplicable union ; to whom be praise forever. Amen.' " Writing to another, he says, " I thank our Lord, who hath disposed you to a perfect self-denial. This is the waj^ to love ; and our love of God is shown not so much in receiving gifts and graces from him as in forgetting ourselves, in renouncing all things, and suffering constantly and courageously for him." So inflamed was M. De Renty with this love, that all his thoughts, words, and works were the fruits of it. All his virtues drew their original from this: it was the begin- ning and motive and end of all. " I cannot conceal from you," said he to a friend, " that I have a fire in my heart which burns and con- sumes without ceasing." And this divine fire was so ardent in his soul, that the flames thereof often burst forth into his exterior ; and he often owned, that, whenever he pro- nounced the name of God, he tasted such a sweetness as could not be expressed. His Love of God. 69 One of his friends assures us, he has often seen him so inflamed with love, that he appeared like one beside himself; and that he has told him, when these transports were upon him, he was ready to cast himself into the fire to testify his love to God. One of his letters he concludes thus : " I must now hold my peace ; yet, when I cease to speak, the fire within that consumes me will not let me rest. Let us burn then, and burn wholly and in every part, for God. Since we have no being but by him, why do we not live to him ? I speak it aloud, and it would be my crown of glory to seal it with my blood." To another he writes thus : " I know not what your intent was in writing those words, c My God and my all ! ' Only you incite me thereby to return the same to you and to all creatures., ' My God and my all ; my God and my all ; my God and my all ! ' Is your heart full of it, and think you it possi- ble I should be silent on such an invitation ? Be it known to you that he is my God and 70 Monsieur De Renty. my all ; and, if you doubt of it, I shall speak it a hundred times over. I shall add no more ; for any thing else is superfluous to him that is truly penetrated with 4 My God and my all.' " This love of God wrought in him an in- credible zeal for his honor, which he thus expresses to his director : " One day, being transported with an earnest desire to be all devoted to God, and all consumed for him, I offered up to him all I could, yea, and all I could not. I would willingly, if they had been mine, have made a deed of gift to him of heaven and 6arth ; and, in another way, I would gladly have been the lowest of all mankind : yea, and, if supported by his grace, I could have been content, to advance his glory, to have suffered the pains of the damned. In this disposition of a calm zeal, there is no sort of martyrdom, no degree of greatness or littleness, honor or dishonor, that passed not through my soul, and that I would not readily have embraced for the Sis Love of God. 71 advancement of his glory. It is impossible to express one circumstance of what I felt. All I could do was to give up my liberty to God, writing the deed in paper, and signing it with my blood." See here the zeal of a man all on fire with the love of God ! and the surest proof of love, — conformity to his will. This inti- mate union of his will with God's, the object and end of all his actions, was indeed one of his singular graces, as it is the sum of all perfection. He wrote thus to one con- cerning the Countess of Chatres, with whom he had the strictest friendship: "I must own, that, during my absence from her, my heart was tenderly sensible of her pain. But my desire submits to the will of God ; and, when that is signified, he gives me grace to obey. I was not at Paris, but at Citry, when she departed. I was sent for by post, but came two hours too late. Entering the town, I soon heard the news of her death. Presently I fixed myself to the will of God ; whereupon 12 Monsieur De Renty. I found no more alteration in my soul than if she had been alive. I see his order in this, that I assisted her not at her death, and doubt not but he permitted it for her ad- vantage." Another time he wrote thus : " I have these three weeks had a fever, with a deflux- ion and an extreme weakness. My frame of mind during this condition has been a simple adherence to the will of God. I have a heart willing and ready to receive any afflictions that can befall me. I desire what- ever is decreed from above, and beg it with all my heart." In the year 1641, one of his children, whom he tenderly loved, died. When the news was brought him, he spoke not one word, nor showed the least sign of disturb- ance ; his affection to the child yielding to his absolute conformity with the will of God. At the end of the year 1643, his wife fell desperately sick, so that she was given over by her physicians, and left speechless and His Love of God. 73 without reason. This affected him in the most sensible manner ; and he broke out into these words : — " I cannot deny but my nature is deeply affected with the sense of so great a loss. Yet my spirit is filled with so wonderful a joy to see myself in such a state as to give up and sacrifice to my God a thing so dear to me, that, if decency did not forbid it, I would give some open testimony of my rea- diness thereto." Hereby he evidenced the will of God to be so absolutely his, that he not only willed whatever God willed, but also willed it as God doth, with pleasure and satisfaction. But it pleased God to restore his wife to her health, with respect, as we may believe, to the carriage of his faithful servant. From this perfect subordination to the will of God sprung his admirable tranquillity. From this fountain flowed those rivers of peace which he possessed in so great perfec- tion, that, on the most sudden surprisals, his K 74 Monsieur Be Benty. spirit was not altered, nor put into any dis- order. So that lie could say from the abun- dance of his heart, " I comprehend not that thing you call mortification. He who finds no resistance in his spirit to any thing is not capable of it. Whoso willeth whatsoever God willeth, is pleased, whatsoever happens." With this love of God was joined so deep a reverence of him as often cast him into trembling. And this unspeakable respect unto God's greatness caused him often to walk in the fields bare headed, even in rain, or the heat of the sun. And being asked by a friend what it was that kept him in that constant awe, and how he attained that won- derful reverence he bore to God at all times, in all places, and in all employments, he an- swered, " The sight of his glorious Majesty — which continually seems present to me — keeps me in exceeding awe with a deep sense of his greatness and my own vileness. A mote in the sun is little ; but I am far less in the presence of God." His Love of God. 75 And sure it is, that this deep sense of his own vileness before the majesty of God, well becomes not only the greatest of sinners, but the holiest of men upon earth. He that from a valley beholds the sun when it rises, and appears on the point of a high moun- tain, may think him that stands above to be near it, and almost able to reach it with his hand. But the same man, notwithstanding, beholds it at a vast distance above his head ; and though, in reality, he is nearer than the other that stands in the valley, yet the pro- portion is so small as scarce deserves to be named in respect to the total distance. This reverence of God occasioned in him a great reverence, likewise, to whatsoever was devoted to him ; as, first, to all holy places. At his entrance into a church, his demeanor was highly modest and serious. He never sat down there. He would remain in it as long as possibly he could, — sometimes seven or eight hours together. If any person spoke to him in church, his answer was short : if a 76 Monsieur De Renty. longer was required, he went out and gave it. He had great respect, also, to holy persons, especially to priests ; whom he highly hon- ored for their works' sake. Whenever he met them, he saluted them with profound humility, and in his travels would alight off his horse to do it. When they visited him, he entertained them with great respect; at their going, waiting on them to the gate: and, if any dined at his table, he gave them the upper hand ; which civility he observed to his own chaplain. And as he had this reverence for them, so had he an earnest desire that they might live according to the dignity of their calling. When he saw any that did not, his heart was melted into sorrow for them, and he humbly prostrated himself before the Saviour, and begged with tears some apostolic spirits. He often said, " Give us, O Lord, our poor fishermen, — men simple in appearance, and vile in the eyes of men, but great and holy His Love of God. 77 within, and fit to convert souls by their sanc- tity, prayers, and restless labors ! And here- in I discover a great mistake ordinary in the world, — that outward greatness and pomp is the way to keep up men's credit, and make them more capable of doing good to their neighbors. Oh, no ! It is grace that hath power upon the souls ; and a holy and hum- ble life that gaineth hearts ! " CHAPTER VIII. HIS LOYE OF MAST. fT was the chief exercise of M. De Renty to apply and unite himself to the Lord Jesus, and from this union ^ and example to derive all his virtues, and inspire all his works of charity. To mould himself after this divine model, both in his inward tempers and outward behavior, was his constant endeavor. He never took his eye from this divine copy, but endeavored to draw every line in exact har- mony with this likeness, making him his perfect original. This was the end of all his designs and 78 His Love of Man. 79 cares, particularly that of charity to his neighbor ; taking the Saviour as his grand exemplar, weighing his affection, and mark- ing what he had done and suffered for men ; how he sought after and conversed with them ; how he instructed, comforted, and en- couraged them ; sometimes reproving, some- times bearing with their infirmities ; at all times carrying them in his bosom, yea, in the most intimate enclosure of his heart. He weighed well what Christ had declared concerning this virtue ; that he had established it as the perfection of his law ; had termed it peculiarly his own command ; had expressly and solemnly bequeathed it to his followers, and enforced the execution of it upon them by the strongest and most endearing ties ; had made this virtue the distinctive character of those who were in reality his disciples ; had charged us to love our neighbor accord- ing to the model, measure, and fashion of his love to us. And accordingly he determined, as far as he could, to love his neighbor with 80 Monsieur De JRenty. the spirit of his Master. " I sigh " (said he) " after my Saviour Jesus, desiring to imitate and follow him whither he pleaseth. I be- seech you, by your prayers, obtain for me his spirit, to be my life, my whole life. Sigh and groan for me after my God, that I may be wholly for him in his Son, that I may fol- low him, and not live but by his Spirit." Agreeably to this, he endeavored, in all the intercourse he had with men, to unite himself most intimately to the Saviour, giv- ing himself up as an instrument to be guided by his hand in the helping of others, beseech- ing him to breathe upon him his spirit of love, recommended so much in his word, but more in his actions, and to inflame him with this sacred fire which he hath kindled in his Church, that he might be wholly con- sumed with it. He consulted him in all his doubts concerning it, begging him to inspire what and how and when he should speak and act for the good of his neighbor, and that in him and by him it might all be done. His Love of Man. 81 He looked upon men not according to their natural qualities, their beauty, nobility, rich- es, or worldly distinctions, but according to their more noble relations, and those common to all; viz., as creatures divine, the lively images of God, formed to praise and love him to all eternity ; as purpled in the blood of Jesus, brothers and co-heirs with him, his inheritance bought with the price of his life, and a thousand pangs, and who therefore must be infinitely dear unto him, and most tenderly beloved of him. In this capacity it was that he beheld men, and applied to their necessities ; and hereby, as he was highly useful to his neighbor, so he did not prejudice, but greatly advantaged him- self. He looked upon the image of God and Christ in every man. He considered it was these that demanded succor of him. And, while he was performing with all his might whatever was necessary for the souls and bodies of the least of his brethren, he be- lieved verily that it was God and Christ to 82 Monsieur De Renty. whom he rendered that assistance. And the same thought should inspire all who would benefit their neighbor without prejudice to themselves; otherwise, a man shall sooner lose his own soul than lead another to God. The charity of this man of God, built on such a foundation, was so enlarged that it seemed to have no bounds, in that he loved not only all Christians, but all men without exception. " Thy commandment," says Da- vid, " is exceeding broad." His charity had the same dimensions, embracing the present and absent, domestics and strangers, friends and enemies, good and bad ; esteeming all according to their degree; speaking (as he could) well of all ; doing good to all, and ill to none. There was no considerable good work of a public nature done at Paris, or within a great distance of it, in which he had not a great share. There was no undertaking, tending to the honor of God or good of men, of which he was not either the author, pro- His Love of Man. 83 nioter, or finisher; and very often all these together. He was present at all the meetings of piety ; and of many he was the very soul. His correspondence, relating to works of charity, public and private, such as the erec- tion or perfecting of hospitals, seminaries of religion, &c, extended throughout the whole kingdom. From Caen one writes of him thus : " M. de Renty was our support and refuge in the execution of all our designs relating to the service of God, the saving of souls, and the relief of the poor and distressed. To him we continually wrote ; and from him we received counsel and succor on all occasions. Nor have we met with any since his death to whom we could have the like recourse in the things of God." Another from Dijon writes thus : " We cannot but acknowledge the great benefit this province has received from M. de Renty. Wherever he came, he hath wonderfully advanced all works of piety. We may truly say that his days were filled 84 Monsieur De Benty. with the fulness of God. Nor do we believe he lost one minute of time in which he did not either speak or act something for his service." He applied himself to the necessities of the English, the Irish, the captives in Barbary, and of the missions into the Levant ; took great pains for the support of the hospital at Marseilles ; labored much for the relief of galley-slaves, and contributed much to the advancing the affairs of New France in America. He had a- design, likewise, to purge all trades and manufactures from the corruptions which had grown upon them, so that men might live upon them like Chris- tians ; which thing he begun and perfected in two of them. The Scriptures were his most constant study. Next the life of our blessed Saviour ; to qualify himself for all good works, he studied St. Paul's description of charity in the thirteenth chapter of his First Epistle to the Corinthians. And whoever is possessed His Love of Man. 85 of the virtues there described will not run in vain, nor labor in vain. Indeed, the more any one is animated with this spirit, the more shall he advance holiness in others, even though his words be few and ordinary ; for our words do not derive their force from the mouth that speaks, but from the disposi- tion of the heart, and the power of the spirit that dwells there. To qualify himself to be more extensively useful to his neighbor, M. de Renty, to the natural abilities God had given him, and to the learning he had acquired in his youth, had, by his industry, added much to his stock of knowledge ; and that not only for his own use, but that he might teach it to others, and thereby help them. Yea, he abased himself to learn the meanest skill which might be in any way useful to his neighbor. One day in Paris he carried a friend with him to a poor man who got his living by making wicker-baskets. He there finished a basket which he had begun some days before, 86 Monsieur Be Renty. with the design, as soon as he had learned it, to teach some poor people in the country to make them to help to get their living. He then left the basket with the poor man, and a piece of money for teaching him. Indeed, he took upon him all shapes, transformed himself into all figures, conde- scended to all things, for the good of his neighbor ; all his thoughts, words, and ac- tions being wholly cast in the mould of charity, which made him say one day, u Me- thinks my soul is all charity ; and I am not able to express with what ardor and strange expansion my heart is renewed in the divine life of my Saviour, burning in love to all mankind." HIS CHARITY TO THE POOR. With regard to the poor, M. de Renty considered not their habits or outward ap- pearance ; but, with the eye of faith, he beheld under these Jesus Christ present and His Charity to the Poor. 87 dwelling in them. And as he burned with an ardent affection to our Lord, so he loved the poor tenderly, relieved them to the extent of his ability, and left nothing un- attempted for their sakes. From the year 1641, he invited two poor men twice a week to dinner, viz., on Tuesdays and Fridays. But increase of business obliged him, five or six years after, to reduce it to one day, commonly Thursday, when he in- vited three ; and, willing to join spiritual alms to bodily necessities, he sought out such as seemed most to need spiritual instruction. To this end, while at Paris, after his morning devotions, he went to St. Anthony's Gate, and took such as were newly arrived ; whom, courteously saluting, he brought home (in winter to the fire), made them sit down, and,, with a cordial affection which appeared in his whole behavior, instructed them in the chief points of Christianity. While they sat at table, he served them himself, setting before them with his own hands the dishes 88 Monsieur De Benty. brought by his servants and children. After dinner he waited on them himself to the gate, and dismissed them with an alms. This he continued to his death ; and, when he could not do it in person, his wife did the same to as many poor women. Besides many other charities at his own house, he endeavored the general relief of all the poor in Paris and the parts adjacent ; busied himself to understand their wants, studied ways of redress, and carefully pur- sued them. What he could not accomplish himself, he commended to others ; spake for them, begged for them, bought necessaries for them, labored to establish settled courses of living for men and children that were destitute, and, when he could not at present provide for them abroad, maintained them at his own house till he could. He was the first to suggest some relief for the poor English, driven by persecution out of their own country. He engaged persons of quality in the purchasing of lands for His Charity to the Poor. 89 their subsistence. He personally undertook . the charge of distributing one part of these charities. This he performed monthly, going to them on foot, and commonly alone. En- tering their chamber, he saluted them with all tenderness and respect, and gave them their allowance wrapped in a paper. In all his visits to the poor, after a general survey of their wants, he examined in par- ticular as well their spiritual as bodily neces- sities, and endeavored in the first place to mark their inclinations, their passions, their ill habits ; what vices were predominant in them, and what were their chief infirmities ; that, like a prudent physician, he might apply fit remedies, and teach them how to make a proper use of their poverty. As to their temporal necessities, he consid- ered the capacity, industry, trade, or employ- ment of each. For tradesmen, he considered what tools or materials were necessary to set them to work. These he provided, either redeeming their own, or buying new. He 90 Monsieur Be Renty. then gave them provisions for two or three days, and provided them work not only for themselves, but also for their wives and children. Afterwards he bought some of their work, which he bestowed in alms upon others, and took orders for the quick sale of the rest ; coming to them from time to time to see if all went well, and encourage them to take pains in doing what they did. To these we may add his charity to poor prisoners, whom he visited, comforted, and relieved, and, when he found it expedient for them (which he always first considered), used all means for their release. There was in Low Normandy one who had been a prisoner for several years, and, though innocent, was in great extremity. Many had endeavored to secure his release, but without success, because of a powerful adversary. The thing being commended to M. De Renty, after full information of the case, he committed the prosecution of it to his own advocate, made a report of it to His Cliarity to the Poor. 91 the court, and went frequently in person to solicit it. But notwithstanding, perceiving the poor man's cause to hang long, he changed his purpose, and wrote to his adversary, offering, if the business might be referred to him, to take a journey into Normandy immediately. When he came to the town, he went directly to the prison ; and after an exhortation to the prisoners, seconded by his alms, he told the poor man his design, and exhorted him to pray to God for a blessing on his endeavors, and to rest in hope, that, by some means or other, he should shortly be delivered. He then went to the other's house, whence he returned to the prison for information on some difficulties that occurred. Finding all the prisoners together at their usual devo- tions, he waited till they had done. Having then received information, he went back to the other, with whom he came to such an agreement, that this poor man, after a world of misery during nine years' imprisonment, 92 Monsieur Be Benty. was at length set at liberty. He maintained him eight days at his own house, advising and exhorting him every evening ; and at his departure persuaded him to go and see his former adversary, whom he now found as governable and friendly as before he had been severe. HIS CHARITY TO THE SICK. If M. De Renty's charity to the poor was as great as has been described, it was still greater to such poor as were sick. He was not content to assist these in one or two ways ; but they found in him, and often in one visit, a benefactor, a physician, apothecary, surgeon, a pastor, friend, and servant. In the year 1641 he learned not only to let blood, but several parts of surgery. He acquainted himself likewise with the manner of compounding most sorts of medicines, and consulted a physician, by whom he His Charity to the Sick. 93 was instructed in the principal methods of administering it. Whenever he went abroad, he had with him a surgeon's box, and pow- ders for the cure of most ordinary diseases ; which he used with great dexterity and with equal prudence, never advancing beyond his knowledge. In his visits to the sick, he never shunned any service necessary for them and in his power to perform, — as making their beds, helping them to bed, making their fire, set- ting in order their little household matters ; hoping thereby to win their affections, and draw them to God with greater facility. In every family he took an opportunity to inquire whether God was served there, and whether any quarrels or differences were among them ; which he took care to make up without delay. And he never left any with- out providing for all their necessities, which he took notice of with incredible diligence, sweetness, and respect ; dispensing with other business, that he might have time to hear all their complaints. 94 Monsieur De Benty. Neither did he only visit the sick; but they also sought him, and would find him out whenever he came, if they were able to go abroad. The sick, the weak, the lame, or otherwise infirm, flocked to him from all quarters. He might often be seen surrounded by them ; some requesting medicines, some alms, and some his counsel. He treated all, as a true disciple of his great Master, with the like diffusive charity, and stood in the midst of them with the like goodness and patience, endeavoring to do good and to minister comfort to all. Nor did his charity decline the care of those diseases which nature cannot behold without horror and aversion. During his stay at Dijon, he was informed of one, who, having been among a company of soldiers, was left by them in so noisome a condition, that none would come near her, and the per- son where she lodged was going to turn her out of doors. He went instantly to the house, persuaded them to keep her there, His Zeal for Salvation. 95 and hired a woman to attend her. Then he provided her proper medicine and nourish- ment, which he brought her with his own hands, in the mean time reading to her every day, instructing and comforting her. By this means, he at length not only retrieved her from the jaws of death, but induced her to spend the rest of her life in a virtuous and Christian manner. HIS ZEAL EOR THE SALVATION OE HIS NEIGHBOR. M. De Renty, being continually inflamed with the love of God, sought ways, and used all possible means, to make him more uni- versally known and loved by all men, pre- paring them for this world and the world to come. And in this his zeal knew no bounds. It extended not only to all France, but to all the world : insomuch that he said to an inti- mate friend, " I am ready to serve all men, not excepting one, and to lay down my life 96 Monsieur Be Renty. for any one." He earnestly desired to en- lighten with the knowledge of God, and inflame with his love, the whole world ; of which Paris being as it were an epitome, he went through all the streets of that vast city, searching out what he could remove or bring in for the glory of God, and salvation of souls. And the same spirit which moved him hereto blessed his endeav- ors to rectify what was amiss, and to strength- en what was right. This he did in so many ways, that most men would think it impossi- ble. But what cannot a man do who is zealous, disinterested, and full of God ? He performed personally whatever he could, not sparing any pains, nor losing one mo- ment ; and, where his power fell short, he engaged others : and in all places he labored, as much as in him lay, to induce such as desired to follow Christ to join together, and assist one another in working out both their own and their neighbor's salvation. For this purpose he established societies at Caen, at His Zeal for Salvation. 97 Amines, at Dijon, and in several parts of Burgundy, who, being animated by a true zeal for God, were blessed with unexpected success. To arm one thus engaged against the diffi- culties to be encountered, he wrote to him thus : — "lam very sensible of the present storms that you endure ; though there is no reason why men should alarm you thus, seeing they have no cause of reproach from your design, nor have you done any thing against the gos- pel : yet I do not wonder at these crosses. 'Tis sufficient to know that you desire to follow Jesus Christ : therefore you must reckon contradiction to be your portion in these days of your flesh. Only be firm in your confidence in our Lord, suffering none of these storms to trouble you, or to obscure that light which hath moved you to and guarded you in this business. God deliver you from the reasonings of flesh and blood, which at such times are apt to multiply upon 7 98 Monsieur De Benty. us ! Be assured, that, if you hearken not to them, God will manifest himself unto you : he will comfort and fortify you in faith and in experience of the gift of his Holy Spirit." To another he wrote thus : " Blessed for- ever be the holy Jesus for the good begin- ning of those you mention ! If the other had a little more courage to break her fetters, it would be a great step ; and surely there needs not so much deliberation to give up ourselves to him, although he be 'to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolish- ness.' Not that God hath any need of our good parts or excellent qualities, who com- monly confounds the wisdom of the wise by little things which he chooseth. Blessed be that littleness which is accounted weakness, and yet overthroweth all the power and prudence of the world ! " Passing one day by the Hospital of St. Gervase, and hearing it was devoted to the lodging of poor travellers, he desired leave of the superior to instruct them in the even- His Zeal for Salvation. 99 ing when they were met together. And this he did from that time, every night, coming thither on foot, and commonly alone, summer and winter. After instructing them, he joined with them in prayer, which he con- cluded with his alms. And this he continued many years, till some churchmen, moved by his example, undertook the work. His tenderness of heart to these poor peo- ple was exceeding great, joined with such humility as cannot easily be expressed. When he met any one at the hospital, he saluted him with great respect, put him before him, and talked with him bareheaded. If any kneeled to him, he did the like to them, and continued on his knees till they rose first. One of them, observing him dili- gently, and knowing him to be the lord of the place where he himself lived, was deeply affected at the sight, and came and fell at his feet. M. De Renty did the like to him, and continued in that posture a long time, resolv- ing not to rise before the poor man. 100 Monsieur De Renty. Going one day to visit the holy place of Monmatre, after his prayers said in the church, he retired into a desolate part of the mountain, near a little spring. There he kneeled down to pray, after which he dined on a piece of bread and a draught of water. After dinner he took out his Testament, and read a chapter on his knees, bare headed, with extraordinary reverence. Just then came a poor man, saying his prayers. M. De Renty rose up to salute him, and entered into a discourse with him concerning God, and with such remarkable power, that the poor man, striking his breast, fell down upon the ground to adore the great God. Immedi- ately after came a poor maid to draw water at the well, whom he asked what she was. She answered, " A servant." — u But do you know," said he, " you are a Christian, and to what end you was created ? " Whereupon he took occasion so to instruct her, that, con- fessing she had never before thought of the end of her creation, she promised from thence His Zeal for Salvation. 101 forth deeply to consider and seriously to pursue it. In his first return from Dijon, he stopped three or four times in the way to instruct poor passengers ; and once went out of the road to show some laborers in the field how to sanctify the work in which they were engaged. A young maid in Paris, having been very cruelly used by her uncle, became greatly disordered ; and in her fury she accused our Saviour as the cause of her misery in aban- doning her to such a man. In this horrible condition she received the sacrament several times in a day, on purpose to do despite to the Saviour, and provoke him to complete her destruction. M. De Renty was no sooner informed of this than he hasted to find her out ; as he did, after eight days' search, in the very act of communing. He immediately conveyed her thence, and took so great care both of her soul and body, that she returned to herself, and gave ample testimony of her repentance. 102 Monsieur De Benty. As the design of advancing the salvation of men is attended with much labor and suf- fering, it is necessary for him that undertakes it to fortify himself with courage and pa- tience. Both these were eminently charac- teristic of M. De Renty; being in the first place, full of courage, resolute, and laborious ; employing his body as if he had two more in reserve when that was spent ; despatching more business in one half-hour than others did in many days. He was very bold in entering upon difficulties, and quick in extri- cating himself from them. A lady who had left much to religious objects made him her executor. Being informed that her friends — .men of eminent power — were much displeased with her choice, he replied, " I never moved her to bestow any of her estate this way ; but, since her piety has prompted her to it, I shall not be dismayed with any power that shall oppose it. My care is to perform her will ; and for other things I take no thought." Eis Zeal for Salvation. 103 Seeing one (ky some gentlemen fighting, he threw himself between their swords, lay- ing hold on those who seemed most outra- geous. At first they quarrelled with him ; but in a short time were friends, both with him and with one another. His zeal was accompanied, secondly, with unparalleled patience. This is a virtue highly requisite for him that would save the souls of men, seeing he must endeavor to win their hearts, at which he is to make his first entrance ; not following his own will or incli- nations, but theirs ; becoming all things to all men ; waiting long for their conversion ; and attending, without being tired and dis- couraged, the favorable moments wherein they may yield to his motives. He must, like this holy man, not only be willing to endure hunger, thirst, heat, cold, wet, weari- ness, and other outward pains inseparably attendant on employments of this nature, but also the importunities, complaints, pas- sions, the repulses, the contempts, and in- 104 Monsieur De Renty. juries that are continually to be expected in them. While he was employed in instructing the poor travellers in the Hospital of St. Gervase, a man who was settled there, looking upon it as an intrusion into his office, came to him, as he was in the midst of the poor, and, with many injurious and reproachful words, for- bade him to come any more. M. De Kenty, having heard him without any emotion, re- plied, the poor people had much need of instruction ; and, since he would not be at the pains of it himself, he prayed him not to hinder one that would. This did not satisfy him at all ; but he came four daj r s together to drive out M. De Renty, interrupting him as soon as he began. But he still received him with the same spirit, and at length over- came evil with good. One day he visited a person, who, upon a groundless suspicion, had cruelly used his wife ; who, understanding his business, en- tertained him very coarsely, — using much His Zeal for Salvation. 105 opprobrious language, lifting up his hand to strike him, and offering to thrust him out of doors. M. De Renty replied not one word, but, after some time, drew near again, em- braced him, and accosted him with such soft language, that he was persuaded at length to go to confession (which he had not done in twelve years before), and to be fully reconciled to his wife ; insomuch that he lived and died a good Christian. Another time, visiting a poor old man who was sick, he began, as usual, to speak of spiritual things ; but the old man, instead of listening, fell into a passion, telling him he understood those things better than he. M. De Renty replied that he would be glad to be instructed ; and after a great deal of patience and attention, taking advantage from somo things in the weak discourse, to convince, and inform him better, he pro- ceeded so happily, that the rest of his days he led a truly Christian life. His patience in bearing with the faults and 106 Monsieur Be Renty. imperfections of others, as it was truly ex- emplary, so it never took away or weakened his desire to correct them, for which he only waited a proper occasion. When he intended to reprove another, he commonly commenced by first accusing himself in order to prepare them by his example. Having such an intention, he began a dis- course on the frankness with which Chris- tians ought to tell one another the truth, for want of which we grow gray in our vices, and often carry them with us to our graves, saying, he should hold himself extremely obliged to any who would show him that kindness. His friend, finding his heart exceedingly softened, besought him to deal freely and plainly with him in telling him whatsoever he saw amiss in him; which thing he then did. But his patience did not in the least diminish that fortitude which is so requisite in the things of God for the good of our neighbor and for the proper preserving of His Zeal for Salvation. 107 our just authority. He knew that severity must be used sometimes, especially when we have to do with stubborn offenders, and accordingly advised a friend concerning a third person, " Take heed of humbling your- self before that man : the abasing yourself in this case would both prejudice him and the cause of God. Reprove him severely and roundly." And not in these instances only, but in all others, his zeal was accompanied with both freedom and prudence ; for though his humility often concealed many of his inward graces and outward actions, yet many of these did his zeal bring to light, where he judged it necessary for the glory of God or the good of his neighbor. Writing to a virtuous lady, he says, — " Give me leave to speak my thoughts of that liberty we ought to use in communicat- ing freely the gifts of God bestowed upon us to such persons as may reap fruit from them ; not stifling them in ourselves, where- 108 Monsieur Be Renty. by we obstruct a second fruit, which God expects from his graces. We should con- sider ourselves set in the world as a crystal, which, placed in the middle of the universe, would give free passage to all the light which it receives from above : so ought we to impart all the talents we receive, and this without disguise, or the least claim of pro- priety. " Further : as the crystal, if several torches were set under it, would transmit the beams of them all towards heaven, so whatever honors or commendations we receive from below should freely pass through us iip to God ; for God hath therefore bestowed upon us such things as are praiseworthy ; not that the praise thereof should rest upon us, but that it may pass through us to him, that he may be blessed and praised in all things." Yet his zeal, though free, was not so indis- creet as to be its own herald upon every appearance of doing good, but was very circumspect in weighing all circumstances. His Zeal for Salvation. 109 Accordingly, in the same letter, he gives this wise advice touching the order and measure which are necessary to be observed in this communication. " To some we must lay open our hearts freely and exactly ; to others more reserved- ly ; to others we should be altogether locked up, concealing from them what we see no disposition in them to make a good use of." Zeal, indeed, should be always attended with prudence, to consider things well, and execute them in the best manner ; to prevent mischiefs, or redress them with as much of sweetness and as little acrimony as possible ; and in desperate cases, or where the cure would prove worse than the disease, to suffer and pass them over : some souls hav- ing defects, as it were, incorrigible, which God permits to perfect them by humility, and others, likewise, that have an intercourse with them, by patience and charity. One great point of prudence requisite in a zealous man is neither to hurt his body by 110 Monsieur De Renty. too much labor, nor his mind with too much business. As to the latter of these, M. De Renty took especial care so to manage all his works of charity, that his piety might not be hindered, but advanced thereby, indis- pensably performing all his exercises of devotion ; and, while he conversed most with his neighbor, he reserved a considerable part, both of the day and night, for convers- ing with God. As to the other, he thus ex- pressed himself to a clergyman who had impaired his health by extreme labor : — " Give me leave, sir, to tell you plainly, that you should not impose too much upon yourself, lest, for want of moderation, you render yourself altogether unserviceable. The enemy usually takes no small advantage of such free and well-disposed natures. You are not your own, but a debtor to all men. Preserve yourself, therefore, not by indulging your body, but by laying upon it no more than it is able to bear." Being at Citry in the latter end of the His Zeal for Salvation. Ill year 1642, he had a strong impression upon his mind, that, at his return to Paris, he should find a new employment among the poor, and be much occupied therein. Ac- cordingly, two days after his return thither, some persons came to advise with him about a plan for relieving all such poor in the city as were ashamed to beg. He under- took to visit a fourth part of them, and to assist them according to their necessities, — an employment sufficient to take up the whole time of one man, which yet he per- formed, notwithstanding the multitude of his other occupations ; so that we must say, without special assistance he could not have done and suffered what he did. But God, who hath limited our strength of body, can increase it when and how he pleaseth. Sometimes he received beforehand only a present impulse of something to be clone, without any particular discovery of what it was, — as when he was much pressed in spirit to go to Pontois, without understand- 112 Monsieur De Renty. ing any reason for it ; yet, believing it to be the call of God, he immediately undertook the journey, where, unexpectedly, he met with a nobleman of great quality, who had come from a far-distant province on purpose to be instructed by M. De Renty how to serve God ; which he had, till then, little known, and less practised. Though this humble servant of God had a remarkable faculty for assisting all, yet was he more eminently useful to some particular persons for the healing their souls, and lead- ing them on in the narrow way of perfection. I shall mention only one, — the Countess of Chatres, who being a remarkably worldly person (as are most young ladies of her quality), it pleased God to inspire her with a desire to ask advice of M. De Renty. This he gave her with such happy success, that he himself was astonished at the result. In less than a year, she was so perfectly disen- gaged from all those little conveniences and accommodations which ladies frequently per- His Zeal for Salvation. 113 suacle themselves are absolutely necessary, that one offering her something of this kind, which she was formerly fond of, she an- swered, " I thank God I have quitted this, and many more things, for the love of God, and yet find no want at all." God gave him light to discern her proper way how to renounce herself, and advance in the paths of solid virtue, and to support her in great inward afflictions ; and she, on her part, resigned herself under God to his guidance, and forced herself to put his ad- vice in execution, — a thing very essential in those who would make use of the instruc- tions of others to good purpose. Though this happy intercourse, accom- panied with such signal blessings, had con- tracted a strict and perfect friendship between them, yet Le was very wary and reserved in his conversation with her ; visiting her only when the work of God required it, and neither speaking nor staying with 4 her any longer than was strictly necessary. This she 8 114 Monsieur Be Renty. thought a little harsh, and complained of it to a friend whom she knew to have some in- fluence with him ; saying, " M. De Kenty ex- tremely mortifies me with his civilities and reservedness. I have great need to see him often, and yet cannot obtain it. Nay, when we are together, he will not sit down, except when I am sick, or not able to stand any longer, and always with his hat in his hand. I beg you xo tell him what, out of respect, I dare not, what inquietude I suffer to see his behavior such toward me who ought to be continually under his feet." The person acquainting him with this, he answered, " I proceed in this manner because my duty to God and to the Countess of Chatres requires it. My Saviour obliges me to converse with her ; but I must do no more than what is necessary, and so retire, for which this posture is most convenient. If we sat down, we should forget ourselves, and talk more than is necessary, and, perhaps, pass on to things unprofitable : therefore we ought both to stand upon our guard." Hi$ Zeal for Salvation. 115 Those who undertake the conduct of souls ought seriously to consider this an- swer, and to be fully persuaded that the business does not consist in speaking much to them, but in disposing them to speak to God, and in making them fit for God to speak to them. In the year 1647, having visited one afflicted with great pains, he thus writes to his director : — " I have been with the person you know of, and have told her what I thought suitable to her condition. I acquainted her how we ought to lay this sure foundation ; that we are nothing but weakness and misery itself ; and that God, from this insufficiency of our- selves to all good, means to extract humility and diffidence of ourselves, obliging us there- by to fly to his Son to find strength in him, and a remedy for all our miseries. " As concerning myself, I have not much to say ; only I find within myself, by the mercy of God, a great tranquillity in his 116 Monsieur Be Benty. presence, through the spirit of Jesus Christ, and such an inward experience of eternal life as I am not able to express. Yet I find myself so naked and barren, that I wonder at the condition I am in, and by which I discourse. In my converse with this person, I begun my speech, not knowing how to pursue it. After the second sentence, I had not the least foresight of what should be the third ; and so of the rest. Not but that I seem to have a perfect knowledge of the things I speak, in such a manner as I am capable of it. But I only utter what is given me ; and, in the same way as it is com- municated, I communicate it to others." CHAPTER IX. HIS OUTWAKD BEHAVIOR AND BUSINESS CONDUCT. DE RENTY, being sensible that even our outward behavior is of great con- sequence in the service of our neigh- bor (being that which makes the first impression upon them), did whatever he could for the regulation of his manner ; keeping his gestures, motions, looks, and all parts of his conversation, in such harmony as he judged fittest to draw his neighbor to God. He was very modest, always calm, and in- violably uniform. " Among all the things I observed in M. De Renty," says one of his 117 118 Monsieur Be Renty. intimate friends, " and what first affected me, was his rare modesty and great evenness of behavior. There was something in his looks which carried so much reverence in it, one might easily judge he was always actu- ally in the presence of God." In every condition or employment he was the same in his looks, gestures, words, and actions, — whether alone or in company, with rich or poor, strangers or friends, before his children or servants, yea, even before his footman, in the country or town, at the table, and everywhere. And such constant equality was the more observable, because of his natural disposition, which was not slow, heavy, and phlegmatic, but choleric, hot, and active. But the grace of God, and the exact and perpetual care he had over himself, had wholly inverted his nature, and brought him to a behavior, as well as temper, directly opposite to those which he naturally possessed. Another of his friends writes of him thus : — His Outward Behavior. 119 " That which pleased me most in him was his great recollection and intimate union with God, attended with such a wonderful peace of mind as shone forth in his countenance, and begot a kind of devotion in his beholders. This union, methought, was ever the same, without any sign of distraction or levity, or any word not necessary ; no complaisance or human regard ever forcing him to scatter his spirit. Not but that he was full of civility, but still so as to look more within himself than without." And indeed this continual presence of God so wholly absorbed his spirit, that no unusual accident or object, or any thing rare or extraordinary, could divert him. I never saw him admire any thing in the world, nor fix his eyes upon any curiosity whatever. And his gait in the streets was so recollected, modest, and equal, without gazing on any thing, that a man might see that Jesus Christ was his way, his employment, and his all. In his speech, by choice as well as by 120 Monsieur De Renty. nature, he was very explicit. In whatever company it concerned him to speak, he did so in his course, with a composed demeanor, and words few, but material. He was never known forward or eager to speak, or, in speaking, to do it with a higher tone than ordinary. If he gave an account of any business, he did it so briefly, and in words so pertinent, that it was a very hard matter to find one that spoke better, and yet less, than he. Things that were unprofitable, or the news of the times, were never the subject of his discourse, but always something pertaining to the kingdom of God. And, when the conversation was diverted to worldly things, he either took leave of the company, or stole away quietly. And, when he talked even of good things, it was with care and moderation, saying, " There is much need of sparingness and sobriety when we speak even of the things of God, lest it turn to no good account ; " and His Outward Behavior. 121 that it was a great trouble to him, when among serious persons, to hear them often spend precious time in talking of virtue at large, and to find them departing from such conferences with dry, empty, and dissipated spirits. As to his business-conduct, his method was seriously to consider things before any resolution was formed ; and if, after his own opinion was given, he found another's to be better, he readily yielded his own. After he had resolved, he was prompt, firm, and con- stant in the execution of it. But some- times, when he had gone through the diffi- culties of a design, he left it to a friend to finish ; not out of inconstancy, but to gain time for undertaking more, as well as to avoid the honor of it. In all affairs that concerned the service of God, he had an immovable constancy ; and, besides the force of his words, there ap- peared in his face an extraordinary assur- ance (though his ordinary deportment was 122 Monsieur De Renty. always sweet and quiet) which particularly- appeared in all meetings, whereby he mani- fested such a spirit, that those who beheld him felt themselves struck with awful regard. His proposals generally carried so much light and force in them, that all were constrained to acquiesce in his determina- tion. But, if any disputed his reasons, he knew how to enforce them; and if they chanced to make another reply (a thing which very rarely happened), he said noth- ing more : but his very silence, and the steadiness of his countenance, restrained any further dispute. At the close of the meet- ing, he would go to the person with whom he differed, and ask his pardon, assuring him that what he aimed at was not to make good his opinion, but to advance the cause of God : in all other things he was ready to yield to every one. But of all things he was careful not to overcharge himself with business, to the prejudice of his piety. He knew that out- His Outward Behavior. 123 ward employments, even the most holy, may be hinclerances to inward holiness : where- fore he was careful not to overburden him- self with them, and very vigilant that they should not distract and dissipate his mind, nor secularize his soul, but serve only as means to elevate, and unite him more to God. And God so blessed him therein, that, in the multitude of business, he was still in a continual recollection. A familiar friend asking him, whether, in his multiplicity of employments, he observed his usual two hours of prayer, he answered, " When I can, I keep three hours, sometimes four or five : but, when occasion offers to serve my neighbor, I easily quit them ; for God of his mercy hath given me the grace to be insepa- rably with him, even in the crowd of busi- ness." To the same purpose he wrote to his director, " I continue my devotion out of the time and place of prayer, even in the midst of converse and business ; and I tell 124 Monsieur Be Benty. you sincerely, though I perform every thing so ill, yet I find little difference of times for prayer, being recollected continually." And the same might be gathered (as was observed before) from his modesty and composed countenance, clearly evidencing that •his soul was wholly and constantly in application to God, from whom he drew light and strength for the conduct of all his business ; of which he thus wrote to his director, " My recollec- tion hinders no business at all, but furthers it. Without it, I should have a solicitous desire of doing all myself : whereas I now act in a most calm way, in which I have no share ; for it is our Lord that doth all." In another letter he writes thus, " Finding myself one day much burthened with variety of busi- nesses, I had a desire to draw off my mind wholly ; and at the same instant it was done. Since that time, they create me no trouble ; and I despatch them more readily without thinking of them. This grace hath been often renewed in me (although in several His Outward Behavior. 125 manners), winch. I acknowledge to be very great, because it preserves me disengaged, even in the multiplicity of business." If, after he had done his part, any design failed, he rested well satisfied. On such an occasion he thus wrote to a friend : " We may take up good designs, and God often inspires them; yet, when he is pleased to permit a contrary event, we must adore his secret will, which brings more of mercy in the crossing of them than if they had suc- ceeded. We should always be jealous over our spirit, that it fix not upon any thing." And again : " Our Lord has his designs, which he effects by such means as we would not at all make choice of. The reason is, because he would break our wills, and abate our dependences upon earth : therefore he often crosses our best undertakings, being more jealous of the sacrifice of our hearts than any thing else, how specious so ever." I cannot better conclude this chapter than with a letter written to his director on this subject : — 126 Monsieur De Eenty. " For these three or four months I have been, as it were, continually employed in out- ward works; as removing from place to place, new building a church, taking care of the sick, reconciling differences, conferring with all sorts of people* Yesterday hearing those words of the gospel read, ' Thou art troubled about many things,' it was said to my heart, ' Thou art not troubled about many things,' giving me to understand that the things we are employed upon according to the will of God do not create us that trouble, and that Martha was not reproved for doing the work, but for doing it too soli- citously ; our Saviour intimating to her that no business should be done with inordinate agitation of spirit: since our great business is to hear the eternal word, and act nothing with disturbance, but all in peace by his Spirit. " I received hereby a great support in the performance of these petty exterior offices, and made no difficulty at all to yield myself His Outward Behavior. 127 up to this holily-disordered divine order. At the same time I enjoyed such a sensible impression of God, yet excelling all sense, that, if I had been thrown like a bowl, I could never have lost the sight of my God. Our Lord turns this bowl in a strange man- ner, even as it pleaseth him. And these several turnings are all for the soul's advan- tage, whereby she is fashioned for every occasion, that she may do nothing for or by herself, but all for God, and according to him. " I see, likewise, that one whom God em- ploys in these low affairs, if he follow them with the same fidelity, is as acceptable to God as one that is employed in the most noble functions. Will nothing please you but to convert worlds ? You shall be content to carry stones, and sometimes to sit still and do nothing. You are then to offer the sacrifice of patience ; and I believe it is a thousand times more rare to find a soul thus faithful in patience, and content to do no 128 Monsieur De Renty. more than God would have him, than faithful in actions that appear abroad. " I have one word more to tell you, which is, that I am really ashamed and confounded that I do no more for God ; which, indeed, with the sense of my unfitness for any thing that is good, would work me much torment, did I not consider he is all-sufficient, and does with us as he pleaseth." CHAPTER X. OF HIS DEATH, [N the 11th of April, 1649, he found himself very ill, and, having concealed his sickness five days, was then con- strained to take his bed. He endured great pains in every part of his body. His mind also became so much affected, that he declared, if God had not assisted him against the ravings of his imagination, he should have spoken more extravagantly than any madman. There was much, he said, in such a condition to humble him ; but it was the duty of a sinner to honor God in all con- ditions wherein he should place him. 9 129 130 Monsieur De Renty. During these severe pains and torments, and during the whole course of his sickness, it is said his ordinary employment consist- ed in affectionate elevations of his soul to God, in thoughts and words of blessing, praise, and submission to whatsoever was laid upon him, and of meekness, and per- fect obedience to all that attended and had the care of him, with such a humble and contented spirit, that he thought all well done, though sometimes it was otherwise. His patience never gave way to any com- plaint. And when his attendant — who was of the hospital of charity, with whom he had visited so many poor and sick — implored him to declare his pain, " O sister ! " he said, " how does the love of God wipe away all pain ! The servants of God suffer nothing." Another friend asking if his pain was not great, he answered, " No." The other replied, he thought it was. "It is true," said he, " that I am much clogged with my disease ; but I feel it not, because I do not think of it." Of his Death. 131 Being urged to take some sweet things, lie refused, saying, " These make little for life, or for death." Yet he refused not medicine, but took it with a cheerful countenance, though it was very bitter, and he had great difficulty in swallowing. Indeed, when one told him of another medicine which had done great cures, he answered, " Patience is a sovereign remedy ; " intimating his unwill- ingness to try it. Yet, when it was brought, he took it without any reluctance. His sickness increased more and more, yet he never called for any thing to refresh him ; and when they had forced clean sheets and a pillow upon his bed, which he had before refused, he said, " Lo ! here lies a gentleman at his ease." Feeling some joy arise in him upon the sight of a person of his acquaintance with whom he had held a strict correspondence in spiritual things, who came out of the coun- try on purpose to visit him, he immediately repeated thrice over, with great fervor, " I desire nothing more but God." 132 Monsieur De Benty. Reflecting on the poor, — the constant ob- jects of his tenderest care, he said to his wife, " I recommend the poor to you. Will not you have a great care of them ? You will perform it better than I. Fear nothing ; for what you give to them will not lessen the rest." The greater part of the first week of his illness, and some part of the second likewise, was spent by him in works of mercy, ap- pointing of alms, and giving orders for letters to be written into several provinces, about business of charity with which he stood charged, and of which he gave an exact account. Many persons of quality coming to visit him., he received them with much civility, but not without some concern, because most of these visits were attended with discourse of worldly things. " They come hither," said he, " to talk philosophy, of which I have no need." At another time he said, " A Chris- tian should talk little." Of Ms Death. 133 A lady of great piety coming to visit him said, " Sir, I would with all my heart lay down my life to save yours." He replied with a cheerful look, and eyes uplifted to heaven, " To die is not to be lost. Our con- versation and union will hereafter be more near and intimate." She said, " But, sir, if it pleased God to restore your health, and continue you longer with us, do not you desire it? St. Martin desired to live upon these terms." He answered, " O madam ! there is no comparison between a saint and a sinner. The will of God be done." The third day of his sickness he desired that his director might be sent for. And, being asked if he found himself worse, he answered, " No ; but, in a business of this consequence, it is not safe to delay for fear of a surprisal, the judgment and memory being both so subject to decay." The next day he made his confession ; the day after he confessed again, and almost every day till his death. 134 Monsieur Be Benty. The pastor of his parish having adminis- tered to him the holy communion, and ob- serving his deep silence (not speaking one word, but only with profound humility, " My God, my God, pardon me ; I am a great sinner ! ") he asked him the reason why he spake so little, and did not apply himself to those who were well pleased to hear him. " It is not fitting, 9 ' said he, " to speak in the presence of him whom I have received, nor take up any room in those hearts which ought to be filled only with God." He added, " My spirit is now applied to that joy which a creature ought to have to see himself upon the point of being re- united to his first principle and his last end." The same day, after dinner, one said to him, it was fit to use some diversion from his seri- ous thoughts ; the physicians judging his dis- ease to have much of melancholy in it. To whom he replied, " I never had any joy com- parable to that I have felt this day." Being asked for what cause, " To think," said he, Of Us Death. 135 "that I am going to be united with, my God." Then adding earnestly, " I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. ' The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And he that thirsteth, let him come. Behold I come quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus ! ? " About noon he desired his window might be set open, that he might behold the bright- ness of the day ; which being done, he cried out, " O bright day of eternity ! How this sunshine cheers me, helping me to medi- tate on that day which shall never have night ! " As his sickness increased, he strove the more to unite himself to God by prayer, thus imitating his Master, who, in the depth of his agony, prayed the more earnestly. And when the violence of his disease so oppressed him that he had need of greater effort to keep his mind fixed upon God, he cried out, " Courage, courage ! Eternity is at hand." 136 Monsieur Be Eenty. Many similar utterances fell from his lips with incredible fervor, though he could not pronounce them distinctly by reason of the extreme dryness of his throat, occasioned by the fever. At last, without speaking, he fixed his eyes steadfastly on heaven for at least a quarter of an hour together, with a heavenly smile, and full of reverence, as if he saw some extraordinary sight; after which, gathering all his strength, he sat up in his bed, took off his cap, and, holding it in his hand, said, with words half stifled in his throat, as well by the ardor of his spirit as the weakness of his body, " I adore you, I adore you ! " The curate — having used the service of the church, to which he attended with great devotion, answering to every prayer — asked him if he would not give a blessing to his children. He answered, " How so, good sir ? Shall I presume to give a blessing in your presence ? I should be happy to receive one from you." But being urged thereto, and Of his Death. 137 told the church allowed it, he lifted up his hands and eyes to heaven, saying, — " May it please God to bless you and to preserve you by his grace from the malignity of the world, that you may have no part therein. ! And above all, my children, may you live in the fear and love of God, and yield due obedience to your mother ! " On Saturday, about half-past ten in the forenoon, having just recovered from a vio- lent convulsion, fixing his eyes on those pres- ent, he made signs with his hands, head, and eyes, for an intimate friend to come near him. Which being done, he said, — " Sir, I have one word to say to you before I die." Then, pausing a little to recover his strength, he testified his affection to him, but in words that could not distinctly be under- stood. Ax length, raising his voice, and speaking more distinctly, he said, " The per- fection of a Christian life is to be united to God by faith. Let us not entangle ourselves in novelties. Let us adore his conduct over 138 Monsieur Da Benty. us, and continue faithful to him unto the end. Let us adhere to that one God, crucified for our salvation. Let us unite all our actions, and all that is in us, to his merits ; hoping, that, if we continue faithful to him, by his grace we shall be partakers of the glory of his Father. I hope we shall there see one another one day which shall never have an end." Some time after, raising his eyes to heaven, he said, " The holy Jesus, where is he ? " They brought him his picture, which he affec- tionately kissed. Then turning himself, he presently entered into his last agony, which lasted about a quarter of an hour, the greater part of which he spent in pronouncing the name of Jesus, making, as well as he could, acts of resignation, and commending his spirit to God. After which he expired sweetly, and his holy soul departed to its eternal rest. Thus lived and died M. De Renty, one of the most glorious lights with which God has Of his Death. 139 favored his church in- any age. He died at Paris, April 24, 1649, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. We must admire, though we cannot explain, the secret designs of God, in taking out of the world, in the flower of his age, a man so well qualified to advance the honor of God and the good of his neigh- bor. This he has done in many instances in the history of his church. In this he is pleased to let us know that he hath no need of us for the advancing of his glory; and that, when he does use us as instruments therein, we ought to conduct ourselves with all humility in his presence. He translates us to another state, where we may glorify his majesty with greater perfection ; and where we may unite in loving God the Father,- God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, to all eternity ! iiif m LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 017 446 994 5