I experienced recently, a marked perception of your state, as one in
which God took delight, and upon which he had infinite designs,
regarding himself and his glory. I saw clearly the state to which God
desired to bring you--the means to be used, and the obstacles in the
way--the mutual sympathy and confidence he required between us--and the
openness and freedom of communication necessary for our mutual benefit,
and that we should not hesitate to speak freely of each other's faults.
The peculiarity you remark in my experience, needs some explanation.
You say I do not seem to be wounded, nor blame myself when reproved for
a fault. To which I reply simply, there is no more of self remaining
in me to be wounded. This indifferent state you notice in me, arises
from the state of innocency and infancy in which I find myself. Our
Lord holds me so far removed from myself, or from my natural state,
that it is impossible for me to take a painful view of myself. When a
fault is committed by me, it leaves no traces on the soul; it is as
something external, which is easily removed. Do not infer that I am
blind to my faults. The light of truth is so subtle and penetrating,
that it discovers the slightest fault. Souls which are in the natural
life, have real faults, as a paper written over with ink is strongly
marked, therefore they see and feel them. But souls, transformed into
God, have faults, as a writing traced on sand when the wind is high,
the wind defacing it as soon as it is traced. This is the economy of
divine wisdom, relating to souls in union and harmony with God. Oh!
the greatness and simplicity of the way of Truth! How unlike the
world's apprehension of it!