pascal's coat

(this note was found sewn into the lining of Pascal's coat - and discovered only after his death)

The year of grace 1654
Monday, 23 November, feast of Saint Clememt, pope and martyr
From about half past ten in the evening until half past midnight.
FIRE
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - not of philosophers and scholars.
Certainty, heartfelt, joy, peace.
The God of Jesus Christ.
My God and your God.
Thy God shall be my God.
The world forgotten - everything except God.
He can only be found by the way taught in the Gospels.
O Righteous Father, the world has not known Thee, but I have known Thee.
Joy, joy, tears of joy.
i have cut myself off from him.
They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters.
My God, wilt thou forsake me?
Let me not be cut off from Him forever.
This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.
Jesus Christ
I have cut myself off from Him, shunned Him, denied Him, crucified Him ... Let me never be cut off from Him!
He can only be kept by the way taught in the Gospels.
Sweet and total renunciation.
Total submission to Jesus Christ.
Everlasting joy in return for one day's effort on earth.
I will not forget Thy Word.
Amen

(ht - James Sire, Why Should Anyone Believe Anything At All?)