[307]. Ibid. ch. xvii. and liv. III. ch. xii.
[308]. What a scope for the indignant eloquence of Bossuet, had Fénélon proclaimed as possible such a sudden equipment with all imaginable virtues as this:—Quelques-unes de ces connaissances et de ces touches intérieures que Dieu répand dans l’âme l’enrichissent de telle sorte qu’une seule suffit, non-seulement pour la délivrer tout d’un coup des imperfections qu’elle n’avait pu vaincre durant tout le cours de sa vie, mais aussi pour l’orner des vertus chrétiennes et des dons divins.—Montée du Carmel, liv. II. ch. xxvi. p. 484.
[309]. In the chapter just cited, John says expressly, ‘Elle ne saurait cependant s’élever à ces connaissances et à ces touches divines par sa co-opération,’ and describes these gifts as coming from God, ‘subitement et sans attendre le consentement de la volonté.’—P. 485. So again, quite as strongly, liv. II. chap. xi. p. 445. He discountenances the attempt to seek perfection by the ‘voies surnaturelles,’ yet his books are an introduction to the mystical evening, and a guide through the mystical midnight.
[310]. La Nuit Obscure, liv. II. ch. ix.; especially the passage cited in note on p. [195].
[311]. This night occupies the third book of the Montée du Carmel.
[312]. See [Note] on p. [196].
[313]. See second [Note] on p. [196].
[314]. See the life of the saint in Alban Butler, Nov. 24.
[315]. See the first six chapters of her Autobiography. This life was published posthumously at Cologne, in 1720. I have used an anonymous English translation, published at Bristol, in 1772.