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.