Letters of Madam Guyon Part 3

SECRET OF DIVINE OPERATIONS UPON THE SOUL.

Do not suppose, Dear Sir, that you are to be purified by great trials and extraordinary events. All is accomplished in you by the suppleness of your will,--by the state of infancy. It must be so on account of the pride of your natural reason. G.o.d conducts the soul in a way opposed to human philosophy. Hence the necessity of being reduced to the state of infancy, and to the subjection of the will. What we call the _death_ of the _will_, is the pa.s.sage of our will into the will of G.o.d. This change implies not only a change in externals, but the inward subjection of the desires and sentiments of the heart. Here most persons, who commence the religious life, stop short. They cannot submit to the interior crucifixion, which lays prostrate the whole of the natural carnal life, and consequently there follows a mingling of the spirit of the flesh with grace, and it is this which produces such monsters in the religious world. Do we not read in Scripture, that in consequence of the alliance of the sons of G.o.d with the daughters of men, giants were born, who so filled the earth with wickedness, they drew down a deluge of wrath upon the world? It is from this abominable alliance of the flesh with the spirit, that all those who appear in the world, as "mighty men, men of renown," are produced and sustained. One may be full of the natural life, while apparently dead to the external things of the world. Thus they are dead to inferior things, and alive in the most essential points--dead in name, but not in reality.

By an authority as gentle as efficacious, G.o.d accomplishes his will in us, when we have surrendered our souls to him. The consent we give to his operations, and our relish of them, is sweet and sustaining, in proportion to the perfection of our abandonment. G.o.d does not arrest the soul with violence. He adjusts all things in such a manner, that we follow him happily, even across dangerous precipices. So good is this Divine Master, so well does he understand the methods of conducting the soul, that it runs after him, and makes haste to walk in the path he orders.

Suppleness of soul is, therefore, of vital consequence to its progress.

It is the work of G.o.d to effect this. Happy are the souls, who yield to his discipline. G.o.d renders the soul, in the commencement, supple to follow illuminated reason; afterwards to follow the way of faith.

He then conducts the soul by unknown steps, causing it to enter into the wisdom of Jesus Christ which is so different from all its former experience, that without the testimony of divine filiation, which remains in the soul in a manner hidden, and the ease and liberty the soul finds in this unknown way, it would consider itself as being separated continually from G.o.d, being left, as it were, to act of itself. Human wisdom being here lost, and the powers of the soul controlled by the wisdom of Jesus Christ, born in the soul, it increases in its proportions, even unto the stature of a perfect man in Christ Jesus.

The soul, having now pa.s.sed into G.o.d, is in its proper place, and will be happy, provided it remains fixed and separate from its former manner of acting.

Reason may at times oppose with all its strength, and cause some fears, some hesitations; but, being fixed in G.o.d, it is impossible for the soul to change its course; and, after the experience of many useless sufferings, having their origin in self, it suffers itself to be drawn in the current of love. There is now no more of violence to nature.

The soul is in its natural state. The ease and naturalness of this state causes, at times, some fear, some anxiety. It is as much the nature of man, originally, and in his new creation in the likeness of Christ, to be in G.o.d, and to be there in perfect enlargement, simplicity, and innocence, as it is the nature of water to flow in its channel. When man is as he should be, his state is one of infinite ease and without limitations, because he is created sovereign, or master of himself, and cannot be subjected by anything created, although he is subjected to G.o.d, if that may be called subjection, which brings the soul into affinity with G.o.d, and makes it partaker of his nature.

Be therefore persuaded, that G.o.d uses no violence in dealing with the soul. This commotion in the soul, arises from the resistance of man's will to divine operations. When the soul is disenfranchised of all that is opposed to the will of G.o.d; when it is not arrested either by desires or repugnancies, it runs without stopping or weariness in the way. This is what is called death,--death to self; but the soul was never so much alive; it now lives the true life, the life of G.o.d.

When the soul becomes one with G.o.d by the loss of its own will and life, it has purposes, and it is important to follow them; but they are purposes in G.o.d, and have in them nothing of self. All that has rapport to self is no more, and G.o.d is all. Being pa.s.sed into G.o.d, the soul is changed and transformed in him. This is what the mystics call _Resurrection_. But the word used in this way, does not bear its usual signification. To resuscitate is to revive the former life. But in this case, the will, or natural life is consumed, and gives place to the will or life of G.o.d. Thus the Holy Spirit operates effectively in the soul, transforming it into the likeness of the Son of G.o.d.

Now the soul partic.i.p.ates in the qualities of G.o.d, one of which qualities, is that of communicating itself to other souls. Or rather, it is as a stream, which, being lost in a large river, follows the course of the river, communicating itself where the river communicates, watering where it waters, drawing into itself all the smaller rivers, which are destined alike to lose themselves in the great ocean of Love.

These streams have no independent life, but proceed from, and flow back into their origin. Here is the consummation of souls in oneness, as Jesus Christ has expressed it,--"_One in us_."

There is divine reality in this truth. Blessed are those who comprehend it! How many walk side by side along these rivers, and yet never mingle their waters! And many there are, also, who haste with eagerness, to precipitate themselves into this divine stream, and flow together, as the souls of the celestial ones, in the fulness of divine love.

This is not a chimera of the fancy; it is the wonderful economy of divinity. It is the end and object of the creation of the soul--the end and compa.s.s of all the efforts of G.o.d, regarding his creatures.

Here is consummated all the glory, G.o.d derives from their existence.

All beside are only the means approaching this final end, this glorious termination, and absorption of the soul in Deity. Here is the light which ravishes the soul. A light which does not precede, but follows the soul in its progress; unfolding more and more, as a man in a dark cavern, discovers the concealed places, only when he has remained in it for some time.

This is the pure Theology in which G.o.d instructs the angels and the saints. It is the Theology of Experience, that G.o.d teaches only to his children, who having abandoned their own wisdom, he has himself become their wisdom and their life. This is the law of wisdom, my friend, for us,--the way of the Lord in us. In him we are one.

NO UNION WITH SELFISH SOULS.

There are some souls which cause me great suffering. These are selfish souls, full of compromises, speculations and human arrangements, and desiring others to accommodate themselves to their humors and inclinations. I find myself unable to administer in the least degree to their self-love; and when I would be a little complaisant, a Master, more powerful than myself, restrains me. I cannot give such persons any other place in my heart, than G.o.d gives them. I cannot adapt myself to their superficial state, neither respond to their professions of friendship; these are very repulsive to my feelings.

The love which dwells in my heart, is not a natural love, but arises from a depth which rejects, what is not in correspondence with it, or rather what is not in unison with the heart of G.o.d. I cannot be with a child without caressing it, nor with a child-like soul without a tender attachment. I do not regard the exterior, but the state of the soul; its affinity and oneness with G.o.d. The only perfect union, is the union of souls in G.o.d; such as exists in heaven, and on earth after the resurrection, life takes effect in the soul.

NEVER YIELD TO DISCOURAGEMENT.

Do not be disheartened, my friend, on account of your slow progress. A long martyrdom is sometimes necessary, in order to purify our souls from the concealed faults of self-love--faults interwoven in our nature, and strengthened by long indulgence. As you cannot control at once the agitations of nature, arm yourself with patience, to accomplish the task little by little; not in the way of direct effort, but rather by ceasing from effort, remaining quiet, permitting neither gestures nor words to betray your feelings.

Could we enter into the highest state of grace, as we enter into a room, it might be easily accomplished. But alas! the door is straight, and there are many deaths to pa.s.s; in a word, death to self. It is this long martyrdom, or dying of the old man of sin, which causes all the pains of the interior life. It is rare to find persons, who are willing to die entirely to self, and therefore few reach the highest state of grace.

Have good courage. It is a great work to draw a large ship from her moorings, but when she is in the waters, how easily she rolls! What happiness, when by perseverance, you have triumphed over nature, to find yourself in the abundant waters of grace! I pray G.o.d to put his own hand to the work. He will.

In Him, devotedly yours.

WEAKNESS AND IMPERFECTION.

I reciprocate your friendship, madam, with all my heart. Our divine Master knows how happy I am to serve you in any possible way. Oh!

madam, it is better to be feeble, when G.o.d leaves us in our weakness, than to have a strength which is our own. I once thought, that the pure soul was free from all faults, but I now see otherwise. G.o.d clothes his children with frailties, that they may be humble in their own eyes, and be concealed from the eyes of the world. The Tabernacle was covered with the skins of the beasts, while the Temple of Herod was ornamented with gold. Let us not afflict ourselves on account of our littleness and infirmities, since G.o.d so orders it, but become as little children. When a little child falls, it cannot raise itself, but lets another do for it all that it needs.

It does not depend on ourselves to make the presence of G.o.d more or less sensible. Let the desire for a lively sense of this presence, be crucified to the will of G.o.d. Take what is given you. Be as the little child, who eats and sleeps and grows. G.o.d gives you the best nourishment, although not always the sweetest to the taste. Adieu! my heart sympathises with you.

ADVANCEMENT.

During the process of the soul's purification and advancement, it loses sight not only of itself, but of all things else; except G.o.d; and even of the distinct apprehension of our Lord, in his humanity. That is, there are no longer distinct, bounded views and perceptions of Christ, the soul becoming identical with Christ. This is necessary in order to draw the soul into oneness with G.o.d. Let all go in the divine order.

When the soul has returned to its end and origin, and is lost in G.o.d, it finds all it lost, without going out from G.o.d.

When the soul is yet in itself, it draws all things to itself, and sees G.o.d and all creatures in itself. But when the soul is in oneness with G.o.d, it carries all creatures with it in G.o.d, and sees nothing separate from G.o.d. Seeing all in G.o.d, it sees all things in the true light, as with the eye of G.o.d. This is what David calls, "Seeing light in thy light."

May G.o.d give you understanding of what I say, and docility and acquiescence in the truths, which he causes to penetrate your soul. I make no reserves, but express freely all my thoughts. The least reserve for self, is as a strong breath against a mirror, it obstructs the view of G.o.d. My soul, it seems to me, is clear and transparent, reflecting only what the Master presents; and the execution of his will renders the soul always increasingly pure and transparent. May G.o.d be all in all to you.

GREATNESS OF SPIRITUAL POVERTY.

Do not measure yourself by others, who may not be led as you are. G.o.d chooses to enrich some souls with brilliant gifts, but he has chosen you, stripped of all, in the depths of spiritual poverty. This is the perfect self-renouncement, without which, one cannot be the disciple of the Lord Jesus. All other states, however elevated they may be, are inferior to this pure, naked state of the soul. It is a state, which despoils the lover of all he possesses in favor of his Beloved. It is a state in which the soul is shielded from all inroads of the enemy; who can reach only what remains of self in the creature, and not what is enclosed in G.o.d.

G.o.d has chosen you for himself alone. You are the sanctuary, which is open only to the high priest, in which is contained the ark of the covenant--the essential, will of G.o.d--the sacred place, encompa.s.sed by the clouds, where the glory of G.o.d appears. Oh! blessed poverty of spirit, in which state the soul is enriched with the best gifts a G.o.d can bestow!

Measure not your advancement by relation to the road pa.s.sed over, but by rapport to the end. There yet remains a great road to pa.s.s over, since G.o.d himself is the way.

The more fully you enter into his designs, the more I love you.

a.s.sISTANCE RENDERED BY ONE SOUL TO ANOTHER.

The interest I feel in your spiritual welfare, my dear F., is very great--so deeply absorbing, that I slept but little during the past night, presenting you in prayer before our Lord. I have an inward conviction, that G.o.d is enriching your heart by my humble instrumentality; thus, while he elevates you on one side, he debases you on the other, by communicating his grace through so unworthy a channel as myself. The Spirit has revealed to me your state, when I have received no intelligence from you. G.o.d has thus ordered it, for his own glory; and when many years hence, this method of G.o.d's operations will be better known--the a.s.sistance rendered by one soul to another, without the mediation of the body--the use he has made of this feeble instrument to communicate to you his grace, will serve to substantiate this divine truth and heavenly mode of operation.

There is therefore for you, a means of interior advancement, which no distance of place can interrupt. It will be only from lack of correspondence on your part, that it will be diverted. G.o.d desires it, at least for a time, until your soul is entirely in union with himself.