I am deeply afflicted that so many, at the present day, and even some
good persons, allow themselves to be openly seduced by the Evil One.
Has not our Lord warned us against "false prophets, and the lying
wonders of the _last days_?" All true prophets have spoken in the name
of the Lord--"_Thus saith the Lord._" Nothing gives the enemy greater
advantage than the love of extraordinary manifestations. I believe
these external movements are a device of the evil one, to draw away
souls from the Word of God, and from the interior tranquil way of faith.
The tendency of all communications from God, is to make the soul die to
self. An eminent saint remarks, that she had often experienced
illuminations from the angel of darkness, more pleasing, more enticing,
than those that came from God. Those delusory manifestations, however,
leave the soul in a disturbed state, while those that come from God
humble, tranquilise and establish the soul in Him. The most dangerous
seductions are those, which assume the garb of religion and have the
semblance of truth.
Elias appeared alone among four hundred prophets of Baal. These
prophets were much agitated, attracting great attention, "crying
aloud," etc.
When Elias was told by the angel, that he would see the Lord in Mount
Horeb, he _hid himself_ in a cave. He saw a great trembling of the
earth. God was not there. There came a great whirlwind. God was not
there. Then there came a little zephyr. _God was in the still small
voice_.
The only true and safe revelation, is the internal revelation of the
Lord Jesus Christ in the soul. "My sheep hear my voice." This
involves no disturbance of our freedom, of the natural operations of
the mind; but produces a beautiful harmonious action of all the powers
of the soul. I beseech you, my friend, in the name of the Lord, to
separate yourself from all these delusions of the adversary.