MARY, OUR MOTHER

THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Title: The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life
Creator(s): Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691)
(Translator and Editor)
Print Basis:
Rights: Public Domain
CCEL Subjects: All; Classic; Mysticism; Proofed
LC Call no: BX2349 .H42
LC Subjects:

Christian Denominations

Roman Catholic Church

Practical religion. Christian life
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   The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life

being Conversations and Letters of Brother Lawrence

Good when He gives,

supremely good;

Nor less when He denies: Afflictions,

from His sovereign hand, Are blessings in disguise.

AUTHENTIC EDITION

LONDON

THE EPWORTH PRESS

   (Edgar C Barton)

   25-35 City Road, E.C.1
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                               PREFACE

“I believe in the ... communion of saints.”

SURELY if additional proof of its reality were needed, it might be found in
the universal oneness of experimental Christianity in all ages and in all
lands. The experiences of Thomas á Kempis, of Tauler and of Madame Guyon, of
John Woolman and Hester Ann Rogers, how marvellously they agree, and how
perfectly they harmonize! And Nicholas Herman, of Lorraine, whose letters
and converse are here given, testifies to the same truth! In communion with
Rome, a lay brother among the Carmelites, for several years a soldier, in an
irreligious age, amid a sceptical people, yet in him the practice of the
presence of GOD was as much a reality as the “watch” of the early Friends,
and the “holy seed” in him and others was the “stock” (Isa. vi. 16) from
which grew the household and evangelistic piety of the eighteenth century,
of Epworth and of Moorfields.

“When unadorned, adorned the most” is the line which deters from any
interpolations or interpretations other than the few “contents” headings
which are given. May the “Christ in you” be the “hope of glory” to all who
read.