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CHAPTER XI.

ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE.

RELIGION, like everything else that is valuable, has its counterfeit. There are errors nearly resembling the truth, doctrines that are apparently deduced from the sacred Scriptures, but which are in reality the doctrines of devils; precepts which some would have us believe to be of God, but which, in fact, are only the inventions of men. So likewise there may be an experience, so called, which pretends to be of a divine and gracious kind, but which, when properly investigated, will be found to savor not of God, but of corrupt nature. It is, then, of importance that we examine ourselves, lest we should be deceived; and "that we should see the difference between the holy and the profane, and discern between the unclean and the clean." Ezek. xliv. 23. We are commanded, also, to prove all things, and to hold fast that which is good. 1 Thess. v. 24. It is my intention, therefore, in this chapter, to give some advice respecting this important subject; premising, however, that nothing is intended to discourage the weak, or reflect upon the ignorant, but rather to expose the hypocrite, and detect the

enthusiast, whose conduct and spirit so often grieve and injure the minds of the truly serious.

First Advice: Endeavor to distinguish between counterfeit and genuine experience. A false experience may arise from several causes. Some have substituted the reveries of their own imagination for gracious experience. They have talked of extraordinary impressions and revelations; they have imagined, because they have comfortable frames, that their sins were pardoned, and have been confident they should go to heaven, while at the same time there has been little or no proof of their ever having been made new creatures in Christ Jesus. We know, also, how busy Satan is in deceiving mankind. By his insinuations he can make men believe that they are real Christians, when they are not. He can make presumption appear as strong faith, forwardness as zeal, or the fear of man as prudence.

He cares not for men making a profession, attending a place of worship, or even confessing their sins, as long as they do not forsake them. They may talk of religion, believe in some of its doctrines, and attend to the performance of some duties, and yet be strangers to a vital change. Yea, this great enemy may puff them up with an idea of extensive knowledge, and such an experience which is beyond every other person's, so that they may imagine they stand high in the church; when, alas! their minds have never been savingly enlightened in the knowledge of divine things.

Mere natural impressions may sometimes be taken for the work of the Spirit of God. Sublime descriptions, awful denunciations, delightful representations of the heavenly world, the tone of the voice, the powers of eloquence, may greatly affect the mind, and cause people to imagine that they are actually converted, when their own conduct testifies to the contrary. Thus it is said that Ezekiel "was unto the people as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and could play well on an instrument: they heard his words, but they did them not." Ezek. xxxiii. 32. And it is to be feared there are too many who have their favorite ministers, their particular places, on this account. There is something pleasing or striking in the manner of the preacher, something agreeable in the place or the people, that attaches them; and, thus pleased, they are too apt to suppose all is well, while these very people can not, with any degree of propriety, render a reason of the hope that is in them.

There have been many, also, who have made pretenses to extraordinary communications with the Deity; prophets and prophetesses, who, according to their own account, have dreamed dreams, seen visions, heard voices, and pretend to predict future events, as if inspired of God for that purpose. They have set themselves up as oracles, as the peculiar favorites of heaven; while, alas! nothing has been more clearly proved than that they were deceived

by their own imaginations, or carried away by vanity or self-conceit. Some people, not, indeed, so infatuated as these, have talked of great spiritual discoveries: they have had lively ideas of the form of Christ's person; have heard, or thought they have heard, him speaking to them; have had singular dreams, by which they have been imprudently. guided, and yet boasted that they were under divine direction.

Some good people, also, have been deceived. A weak temperament of body, nervous disorders, and a strong fancy, have led them to imagine strange things. Sometimes, when depressed in spirit, they have been ready to think God was about to leave them; or, when circumstances have transpired different to what they expected, then they thought that Providence was fighting against them. So, on the other hand, when their comfort has increased, and they have felt themselves stronger in body, and their spirits better, then they have talked of the light of God's countenance being lifted upon them. Not but what there may be occasional joys and griefs, according as God is pleased to manifest or withdraw himself from his people. But I am confident that a great deal of what is called distressing experience, arises from a weak frame of body. If such would pay attention to their health, live less upon their frames, and more upon the promises, it would be abundantly better for them, both as to body and soul.

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Others have been guided too much by impulses, or sudden thoughts darting into their minds, without properly examining the tendency, and without recollecting that Satan can inject Scripture, or that passages may be brought to our recollection by the occasion of some circumstance or object remotely connected with it. This may or may not be of God; and therefore extreme caution should be used. A supernatural influence, no doubt, is felt by all God's people; but this influence does not in general impel us to do an action precipitately, or without thought. They, too, I think, act improperly, who open their Bibles to choose a text, and are determined to be guided according to the passage they shall first set their eyes on. Nothing can be more inconsistent. It may lead either to presumption or despair. sense of Scripture can not be obtained in this manner, except it be a detached passage, which are very few, compared with the Bible at large. In this way, Scripture may be made to speak anything; and for people to talk of their experience, and of God's directing them, when they adopt such a practice as this, is really absurd, and can not but excite our pity for those who are thus deluded.

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I have just hinted at these things, that we might see how men may be deceived as to religious experience. And when we consider, as one observes, "that we can see but a little way into the depths of man's heart; that there are so many ways whereby persons may be affected without any supernatural

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