The experiences of the heart occupy a large place in the thoughts of Christians. It is nevertheless important always to judge them by the Word of God.
62
It is not necessary here to speak of the experiences of an unconverted person, although such an one is nevertheless not without experiences. It is true that he does not know God, but, in a certain sense, he enjoys His goodness in nature; his conscience can blame him, he can be weary of sin, and alarmed at the thought of judgment. He can forget the latter in the enjoyment of his family and society in a life naturally amiable; but he can do no more.
There is a great variety in the experience of men in whom the Spirit of God is working. This difference arises, on the one hand, from the relation in which we stand to God, and on the other, from our conduct in the same relations.
63
I am under law as long as I make my acceptance with God to depend on my faithfulness to God, that is, on the fulfillment of my duties.
64
As long as the awakened soul remains under the law, it has sad experiences, it feels that it is guilty according to the law, and that it has no power to keep it.
64
The flesh has no relations with God; and the flesh is ever in us.
66
The experiences of a soul that walks with God are far more simple than the experiences of an unfaithful soul; and, nevertheless, the knowledge of God and of the heart of man will be far deeper in the former case.
67
Abraham himself failed in faith on some occasions; but, in general, his life was a walk of faith with God. This is the reason why his experiences are of another nature, far more intimate with God, and more simple, than those of Jacob. His history is short, not rich in incidents; while the communications of God to this patriarch are numerous and frequent. In his history there is much about God and little about man.
69
Lot is the type of a worldly believer.
71
Lot, the worldly believer, is overcome by the princes of the world.
71
It was necessary that Abraham should again experience, in the case of Ishmael, that the law produces sadness and anguish; and at the court of Abimelech he learned to know, that when unbelief is in action, it only produces troubles and anguish.
72
The variety of his (Jacob’s) experience is a proof of unfaithfulness.
74
One does not get rid of the difficulties of the path of faith by trying to avoid them; one must surmount them by the power of God.
75
No possible experiences can ever have the effect which the experience of God produces on a soul. Such experiences are useful to humble us, they are a means of stripping us of ourselves.
79
Jacob is a warning to us; but Abraham is an example.
80
The experiences of Jacob are the experiences of what the hearts of men are. The experiences of Abraham are the experiences of the heart of God.
81
May God give us grace to dwell near Him, to walk with Him, that our experiences may have for their end the growing knowledge of His love and of His nature. (Col. 3:9-129Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (Colossians 3:9‑12))