2. If you have not the practical experimental knowledge of Christ, how will you be able to carry on the spiritual life with any delight, seriousness, and success ? This appeareth by a serious view of that context which you have, 1 John v. 3-10. In the 3d verse he saith, ' This is love, to keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous.' In the 10th verse, ' He that believeth on the Son hath the witness in himself.' How do we bring these together ? I answer — By these propositions, all which are clear when you come to view that scripture. That the readiness of our obedience dependeth upon the fervency of our love, and the fervency of our love dependeth on the strength of our faith, which overcometh the world, the great impediment of obedience. The strength of our faith dependeth on the evidence of the object of our faith, which is, that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, the true Messiah and head of the church. The evidence of this dependeth on a double testimony — without us, from heaven, and by somewhat within us, which is the testimony of water, blood, and Spirit ; and this testimony every sound and true believer hath in himself, and so loveth God and keepeth his command- ments. Now judge you whether it doth not concern you to get an experimental knowledge of Christ, and whether you can carry on the spiritual life against the world, the devil, and the flesh, without it. Either you must suppose to meet with no temptations, or else that temptations will be vanquished by the evidence without us, without any experience of Christ in our own souls. The former is not likely ; why else are we warned of enemies and assaults ? Not the latter, because our temptations to unbelief are many and strong ; for a guilty
56 SERMONS UPON PHILIPPIANS III. [SER. VI.
conscience is not easily settled, nor a man soon brought to trust one whom he hath wronged : sinning Adam is shy of God. Besides, the way of our deliverance is so strange and supernatural, that God should not spare his own Son, hut give him up to die for us. Again, the main of our blessings lie in another world, and nature cannot easily look afar off; and for the present we are afflicted, and seemingly forsaken ; and the duties of Christianity are so opposite to a carnal heart, which would fain be pleased with what is grateful to present sense ; besides, we have an opposition to that future and invisible felicity till grace doth overcome it. These and many more things which may be alleged wrould weaken our hands in duty, if we have not, besides the principles of faith and external confirmations, some experience in our own souls, to assure us that Christ is the Son of God, by his changing us into the divine nature. Surely that doctrine is of God which maketh poor creatures like unto God. This is more sensible and more affecting, as being more at hand. A soul that hath felt this power, findeth the wisdom, power, and goodness of God in it, whilst his conscience is quieted, heart changed, affections raised to heavenly things : you have a confirmation and testimony within you.
3. Without this experimental knowledge of Christ you can have no assurance of your own interest. Though Christ died for sinners, yet many perish for ever. Our certainty and assurance ariseth from a work of the Spirit upon our own hearts, if we have felt the power of his resurrection, if we be risen with Christ. Our sincerity is a far more questionable thing than the truths of the gospel. The stamp of God upon the gospel is more plainly to be seen, whatever thoughts we have of it ; but our own case is more hard to be understood. But if Christ hath left his mark and impression upon us, if we be planted into the likeness of his death and life : Kom. vi. 4, 5, ' Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.' If we be such in the world as he was in the world, we may have boldness : 1 John iv. 17, ' Herein our love is made perfect, that we may have bold- ness in the day of judgment ; because as he is, so are we in the world;' 1 John ii. 6, ' He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk even as he walked.' In short, if Christ hath taken us into the communion of his life and Spirit, there is no scruple to be made of our condition. The more you feel the power of his resurrection, you will have not only some doubtful and slight conjectures, but may assure your hearts before him that he hath loved you, and will be and is your Lord and Saviour.
4. You will not honour Christianity, and cannot propagate it to others with such effect, as when you yourselves have had an experimental knowledge of Christ, of his graces and comforts. You cannot propa- gate it either by word or deed.