Письмо 71

I received your fourth letter yesterday, and I answer everything briefly, albeit briefly: a whole notebook was compiled from your letters, I cannot answer each item in detail; It's enough that you wrote. All incidents are fleeting and transitory, sent by the Providence of God to your temptation; and you must accept with self-reproach, patience and humility - not to seduce with them, not to complain to others and not to blame them, but to blame yourself for not bearing insults and reproaches. Your character and structure are dangerous: they certainly require temptations and sorrows. And when you cannot bear with humility and indifference (sorrows), which are sent from God, like doctors, to cure your illness, then it is your fault, your bad dispensation, and not people. But you reject them, you don’t want to be mentally healthy. On one point I’ll just tell you not to believe the imaginary Nicholas the Pleasant, and not the real one, who appeared to you as a messenger about receiving a letter from me. Think about it, are you worth it for him to appear to you? Apparently she's quite puffed up; through such phenomena the enemy wants to seduce you into a frenzy of mind; and no wonder this will happen when you believe them; from what may the Lord deliver you! Know about yourself: when you have faith, the Lord is able to send you benefits through someone unworthy, just try to fulfill what is written to you. You asked me to write a word for you, and I have already written a lot against your request. You also advise me not to write to you strictly, but I’m perplexed about what to do? When I scratch your scabs, they will become even stinkier and hurt, but you do not accept astringency. And when you do not accept reproachful words from me, not just for empty reasons, but for deeds that truly desire spiritual healing and salvation for you; then how will you receive spiritual healing from others through whom God’s Providence sends you spiritual healing? So you want to be incurable? Nor would they say of you, Babylon is whole, and is not healed (Jer. 51:9). Look, choose the best! Asking for you the peace and blessing of God, I remain the desire for your salvation. Multigr. Jer. Poppy. May 1, 1847. You might be interested in: