But afterwards Matilda felt herself led to write “more of that which God had shown her,” although she had prayed that she might now lay down her pen and cease from her labours.[10]
In the last years of her life she was obliged to write by dictation, her eyes and hands having failed her. The following extracts from the last two books will show an advance in the knowledge of Him she loved, and for whom she laboured to the last.
The Labour of the Lord.
The Lord showed me in a parable that which He has ever done, and will ever do, to fulfil to me the meaning thereof.
I saw a poor man rise up from the ground where he was sitting. He was dressed like a workman, in common linen clothing, and he had a crowbar in his hand, which he thrust under a heavy burden that was as large as the earth.
I said to him, “Good man, what is it you are lifting?”
“I am going to lift and carry your sorrows,” said he. “Try it thyself,” he said; “with all thy might, lift and carry.”
Then did I answer Him, for I knew Him, “Lord, I am so poor, I have no strength.”
And He answered me, “So did I teach My disciples. I said, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit.’”
And my soul spake to Him, and I said, “O Lord, it is Thyself. Turn Thou Thy face to me that I may know Thee.”