The Third of May.THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD --- John 4:42."They said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." --- John 4:42. "If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." --- 1 Peter 2:3. It is an important thing to know assuredly that the Scripture has such a witness as experience, and that there is a real correspondence between the saints and the word, between the believer and Christ. This matter lieth out of the common road of the world. Sinners not awakened can have no experience of this kind, and therefore it is often ridiculed by them. But, oh, what an empty thing would religion be without experience and heart-felt knowledge of the truth! Experience is the sure and secret mark whereby the Christain knoweth the Scripture is of God, and feeleth his own interest in Christ; he has often been helped out of a dark plunge by the sealing of the word in his heart. Oh, wht an excellent interpreter is experience; taste and see; for thus the serious Christian getteth a view of the Scripture and spiritual things, which the most subtle and piercing eye of unsanctified schoolmen cannot reach. Psalm 34:8; 116:10; 2 Timothy 1:12.; Galatians 2:16; Hebrews 4:2. This cannot be found in books; men will not meet it in a throng of the choicest notions; it confoundeth the wise and disputer of this world, while the meanest and most simple Christian understands it well, to the satisfaction of his soul. Reader, press after experience; live not by hearsay, and upon the comforts of others, but seek to the Lord, that he would give thee this inward testimony; it will help thee in future trials; it will remove many of the fears, make thy passage through life easy, and comfortable, and be as a pledge of thy future glory.
'Tis well to hear and read the word, |