Blaise Pascal (1623-62)

Pascal is said to have been involved in an accident at the Neuilly-sur-Seine bridge where the horses plunged over the parapet and the carriage nearly followed them. Fortunately, the reins broke and the coach hung halfway over the edge. Pascal and his friends emerged unscathed, but the sensitive philosopher, terrified by the nearness of death, fainted away and remained unconscious for some time. Upon recovering fifteen days later, between 10:30 and 12:30 at night, Pascal had an intense religious vision and immediately recorded the experience in a brief note to himself which began: “Fire. God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of the philosophers and the scholars…” and concluded by quoting Psalm 119:16: “I will not forget thy word. Amen.” He seems to have carefully sewn this document into his coat and always transferred it when he changed clothes; a servant discovered it only by chance after his death. Here is the quote in full:

God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of the philosophers and savants.
Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace.
God of Jesus Christ.
My God and thy God
‘Thy God shall be my God’
Forgetfulness of the world and of everything except God.
He is to be found only in the ways taught in the Gospel.
Grandeur of the human soul.
Righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee, but I have known Thee.
Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy. I have fallen from Him.
‘They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters
‘My God wilt Thou forsake me?’
May I not fall from Him for ever.
This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
I have fallen away: I have fled from Him, denied Him, crucified Him.
May I not fall from Him for ever.
We hold Him only by the ways taught in the Gospel.
Renunciation, total and sweet
Total submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.
Eternally in joy for a day’s exercise on earth.
I will not forget thy word. Amen.