The Autobiography of Madame GuyonGuyon, Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Motte
Religion
The Autobiography of Madame Guyon
Guyon, Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Motte
Catholics -- France -- Biography; Guyon, Jeanne Marie Bouvier de La Motte, 1648-1717
About three or four days before Easter he came again, with the doctor,
and a verbal process was drawn up against me for rebelling, in not
giving up papers. Copies of my writings were then put into their hands;
for I had not the originals. I know not where those who got them from
me have put them; but I am firm in the faith that they will all be
preserved, in spite of the storm. The prioress asked the official how
my affair went. He said, very well, and that I should soon be
discharged; this became the common talk; but I had a presentiment of
the contrary.
I had an inexpressible satisfaction and joy in suffering, and being a
prisoner. The confinement of my body made me better relish the freedom
of my mind. St. Joseph's day was to me a memorable day; for then my
state had more of Heaven than of earth beyond what any expression can
reach. This was followed, as it were, with a suspension of every favor
then enjoyed, a dispensation of new sufferings. I was obliged to
sacrifice myself anew, and to drink the very dregs of the bitter
draught.
I never had any resentment against my persecutors, though I well knew
them, their spirit and their actions. Jesus Christ and the saints saw
their persecutors, and at the same time saw that they could have no
power except it were given them from above. John 19:11.
Loving the strokes which God gives, one cannot hate the hand which He
makes use of to strike with.
A few days after, the official came, and told me he gave me the liberty
of the cloister, that is, to go and come in the house. They were now
very industrious in urging my daughter to consent to a marriage, which
had it taken place, would have been her ruin. To succeed herein, they
had placed her with a relation of the gentleman whom they wanted her to
marry. All my confidence was in God, that He would not permit it to be
accomplished, as the man had no tincture of Christianity, being
abandoned both in his principles and morals.
To induce me to give up my daughter they promised me an immediate
release from prison and from every charge under which I labored. But if
I refused, they threatened me with imprisonment for life and with death
on the scaffold. In spite of all their promises and threatenings, I
persistently refused.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account