A Request Withdrawn & A Court Case

Reflections on
the Life of
Madame Jeanne de la Mothe Guyon.

---

Writes to a person of distinction and merit for his advice. Withdraws her request. Result, and remarks upon this incident. Marks of distinction between the wholly and the partially sanctified mind. Lawsuit. Her conduct  in  connection with it. Remarks.

---

Another incident, which seems to me to indicate her progress in inward sanctification, may properly be introduced here. 

"One day," she says, "laden with sorrow, and not knowing what to do, I wished to have some conversation with an individual of distinction and merit, who often came into our vicinity, and was regarded as a person deeply religious. I wrote him a letter, in which I requested the favor of a personal interview, for the purpose of receiving from him some instruction and advice. But reflecting on the subject, after I had written the letter, it seemed to me that I had done wrong. The Spirit of God seemed to utter itself in my heart, and to say, 'What l dost thou seek for ease? Art thou unwilling to bear the Lord's hand, which is thus imposed upon you? Is it necessary to be so hasty in throwing off the yoke, grievous though it be? ' 

On Acting With a Single Eye to God's Glory

Reflections on
the Life of
Madame Jeanne de la Mothe Guyon.

---

Her second visit to the city of Orleans. Interview and conversation with a' Jesuit. Remarks upon it. Comments on undue spiritual earnestness or spiritual impetuosity.

---

I will here mention an incident of a religious nature, which seems to be worth noticing. In the latter part of the year 1763, she visited the city of Orleans a second time, for the purpose of being present at the marriage of her brother. While there, she became acquainted with an individual of the society of the Jesuits, who exhibited some interest in hearing the details of her religious experience. She corresponded to this desire, with much vivacity and very fully. The effort to relate her feelings reacted upon herself, and gave a high degree of sensible satisfaction, in distinction from that satisfaction which results solely from the discharge of duty, — so that she was led to speak of her views and feelings at much length. This conversation, which to most persons, would have appeared commendable rather than otherwise, caused her considerable regret afterwards. She began to see, that, in the progress of religion, it is not only necessary to do the right thing, but to do it  in the right spirit. The source of her sorrow was, that she found on reflection that she had spoken from the life of nature, not excluding a degree of self-gratulation, which she probably did not perceive at the time, — and not wholly from a single eye to God's glory.

The Supremacy of Love.

Take to thyself celestial wings;
Go, where thou pleasest, mighty Love;
In thee are life's eternal springs;
Thou art the true, the heavenly Dove.

If there are hidden depths below.
If heights and pinnacles in heaven;
The heavenly heights 'tis thine to know,
To Thee the lowest depths are given.

If lines could bound Thee, life would die;
If bars could hold Thee, heaven would cease;
For heaven doth live with Love's supply;
And life goes out with Love's release.

Go, where Thou pleasest, heavenly Dove!
And angels, from their thrones of light,
In depths below and heights above.
Shall guard, but never bound thy flight.