You enquire, how one who desires to follow the movements of God's
spirit, may distinguish these movements, from the natural operations of
the mind. There is not, at all times, a positive certainty regarding
divine movements. If it were so, we should become infallible as the
angels; that is, if we were as pure in our intentions. We must walk
with God, in entire abandonment and uncertainty, at the risk of
sometimes making mistakes, which in the infancy of experience is
unavoidable. He who wishes for a particular inspiration, or direction
in common matters, which his own reason and judgment can determine, is
liable to deception.
A pure soul acts in simplicity, and without certainty, being persuaded
that what is good comes from God, and what is not good from self. The
greater the simplicity,--the more separate from the mingling of
self-activity--the purer are these operations; because the soul in this
state is only a simple instrument, that the Word, which is in her,
moves, so that it is the Word which speaks and not herself. This
manner of speaking, relates to matters of importance, and not to the
minute concerns of every-day life. The divine Word, _in all
exigencies_, is found in the soul, that is wholly consecrated to
Christ. "When they bring you before magistrates and kings, etc., it
shall be given you in _that hour_ what ye shall speak." This method of
divine leading--by the hour and by the moment--leaves the soul always
free and unencumbered, and ready for the slightest breath of the Lord.
This breath, in the pure soul, is as the gentle zephyr, and not as the
whirlwind, which shakes the earth. Do not then expect to have
anticipated movements, or movements beforehand from God. I have an
experience of many years, that God often makes known his will, only in
the time of action.
If a pure soul, wholly sacrificed to God, should undertake something
contrary to the will of God, it would feel a slight repugnance, and
desist at once. If one does not feel this repugnance, let the act be
performed in simplicity. A mother who holds her child by a
leading-string, loosens it, that it may walk; but if about to make a
mis-step, she draws the string. The repugnance which a holy soul feels
to do a thing, is as when the mother draws the leading-string.