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The Providence of God among the Churches seems to call to the present time
for further light upon the subject of a higher experience than that usually
attained by the members of our Christian societies. Among the teachers who have
been from time to time anointed for this work, Fenelon and Madame Guyon are
justly held in high estimation. While some, perhaps, have had a more interior
experience, few, if any, have so joined to the deepest devotion, a power of
spiritual analysis that eminently fitted them for the office of instructors.
The
extracts from Fenelon here given under the title of “Christian Counsel” have
been translated from the “Avis Chretiens” contained in the fourth
volume of the Paris edition of his works in 10 vols. 12 mo, 1810.
The
Spiritual Letters are from the same source.
The
translation of the “Method of Prayer” is that which commonly passes under
the name of Thomas Digby Brooke. It has been carefully compared and corrected by
the Editions of the “Opuscules” published at Cologne 1704, and Paris
1790. The “Concise View” and “Spiritual Maxims” which follow, have been
translated from the Paris edition of 1790.
It
was at first proposed to have prefixed to the selections an account of the lives
of the authors, but the design was subsequently abandoned. The very
unsatisfactory character of a mere sketch, the space that would be demanded by
anything like a fitting biography, and the very accessible form in which the
materials have been lately placed by Professor Upham, are some of the reasons
that contributed to the change.
As
this little work is intended to be simply devotional, matter of a purely
sectarian or controversial character has been as far as possible omitted.
And
now, beloved reader, one word in conclusion, from the love of God to you. God
has led you, in his Providence, to open this book that He may do you good. If
through his infinite mercy you have had a personal experience of the matters
herein written, your heart will be filled with thanksgiving and praise as you
read. What hath God wrought! If not, you will find many things strange, and it
would not be surprising if you should be ready to pronounce some untrue. But ah!
beware of being wise in your own conceit! The Spirit of God that searcheth the
deep things of God, alone can decide.
Do
not distrust the reports of these spies whom God has sent before you into the
promised land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey; true, the children of
Anak are there, in whose sight we are but as grasshoppers, but they are bread
for us. The Lord God, He it is that shall fight for us, and He will surely bring
us into that exceeding good land.
The
natural man receiveth not the things of God, for they are foolishness unto him;
neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. If, then, you
have not experienced the things that follow, think it not strange that they
should seem foolish and false; in God’s own time they shall be perceived, if
you follow on to know.
If
you will be advised by one who knows nothing, and who is least in the household
of faith, you will deny nothing—reject nothing—despise nothing, lest
haply you be found fighting against God: you will receive nothing but what is
accompanied by the Amen of the Spirit of God in your heart; all else
shall be as the idle wind. Reading thus, in absolute dependence, not upon
man’s wisdom or teaching, but upon the utterances of the blessed Spirit
within, you shall infallibly be guided into all Truth. Such is the promise of
Him who cannot lie. And may His blessing rest upon you!
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