GUYON, JEANNE BOUVIER DE LA :HOWIE, well known in connection with the Quietist ern roversy (see QUIETISM), was b. at Montargis, in France, April 13, 1648. She had destined herself for the cloister, but at the earnest solicitation of her family married, at the age of 14, M. Guyon, the son of a rich contractor of public works. Being left a' widow at 25, and still retaining her early religious leanings, she transferred her three children to the care of guardians, settling on them almost all her property. Being thus entirely withdrawn from secular affairs, she attracted much notice by the high tone of spirituality which her conversation breathed, and was invited by M. d'Arenthon, bishop of Geneva, to settle in his diocese, where she formed the acquaintance of a Barnabite, Pere Lacombe, then in much repute as a director of souls. The mystic doctrines which she learned from this ecclesiastic, and which involved such a degree of self-abnegation as to suppose that the truly Christian soul must become indifferent not only to life and death, but even to its own salvation or perdition, having come to the knowledge of the bishop, lie withdrew his protection from Madame Guyon. In consequence she left Geneva, and accompanied by Pere Lacombe, went to various cities of Italy and France, and eventually to Paris, where they diew about them a number of followers. The reputed extravagances of Madame Guyon led to her being shut up by a royal order in tile convent of the Visitation, from which, however, she was set free, at the instance of Madame de Maiutenon, and through this lady obtained entrance into the highest circles of Paris and Versailles. It was now that she formed the acquaintance of Fenelon, who
was completely won by her evidently s,neere piety, and captivated by the earnestness and lofty spirituality of her views. He failed to see the evil consequences which they involved; and the confiding zeal with which lie defended her not only against the mis representations with which she was assailed, but even against the too well founded imputations which her principles had drawn upon her, was the cause of his unhappy rupture with Bossuet. See FENELON. Madame Guyon having submitted her writings to Bossuet and other members of a royal commission, subscribed 34 articles which were drawn up by them, and promised to abstain from all further speculation on these sub jects. But she failed to keep her promise, and not Only drew again upon herself the hostility of the court, but also became the object of much scandal On account of her intimacy with Pere Lacombe. That the latter imputation was a calumny, it is impos sible to doubt; but:Mananie Guyon was' again put under arrest, and imprisoned first at Vincennes and Vaugirard, and ultiMately in the &stile. She was liberated in 1701, and nenceforward lived in comparative privacy till her death, which took place at Blois in 1717. She is the author of several works, the chief of which are Torrents Spirituels, Hoyen Court de Faire Oraison, and Le Cuntique des Cantiques interpret selon is se as mystique, together with an autobiography and letters, as also some spiritual poetry.