1. A thorough mizture of the promises with faith. This I shall not enlarge upon, because I have spoken unto it expressly in the second verse of the fourth chapter. In brief, it is that lively acting of faith which the Scripture expresseth by “tasting,” “eating,” “drink- ing;” which gives a real incorporation of the things we are made partakers of. When faith is assiduously acted upon the promises of God, so as that the mind or soul is filled with the matters of them, and virtue goes forth from them in all its actings, as they will be influenced by every object that it is filled withal, then the foundation is laid of their experience. This the apostle intends, Eph. iu. 17, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.”. Faith, by its frequent lively actings on Christ, brings him, as it were, to make a constant residence in the heart, where he always puts forth his power, and the efficacy of his grace.
2. In a spiritual sense of the excellency of the things believed, wherewith the affections are touched and filled. This is our taste, how that the Lord is gracious. And hence are we said to be “filled with joy in believing,” as also to have the “love of God shed abroad in our hearts;”’ which, with sundry things of the same nature, belong unto this experience. And no tongue can express that satisfaction
596 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. V.
which the soul receives in the gracious communication of a sense of divine goodness, grace, and love unto it in Christ, whence it “re- joiceth with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” And this is different from the evanid joys of hypocrites. They are all from without, occasional, depending merely on something peculiar in the dispensa- tion of the word, and on some circumstances of their own condition which they are commensurate unto; not engaging the heart unto greater love and more firm adherence unto God, but issuing absolutely in the present satisfaction of the affections. But that love, delight, and joy, which are a part or effect of spiritual experience, have their root within,—namely, in those actings of faith we before described. They are the fruits and flowers of it, which may be excited by ex- ternal occasions, but proceed not from them; and therefore are they abiding, though liable to depressions and interruptions. But to be sure they always increase our love of, and strengthen our adherence unto God.
3. In experiments of the power of the word, on all occasions, especially as it is a word of righteousness. Sundry useful instances might here be insisted on; I shall mention two only:—
(1.) There is in it a sense of the power of the word in giving peace with God. This is the difficultest thing in the world to be impressed on the mind of a man really and seriously convinced of the guilt of sin. Many ways such an one cannot but try, to find some rest and satisfaction; but all, after some vain promises, do issue in disappointments. But when the soul doth really close with that way which it is directed unto by the gospel,—that is, when it mixeth it with faith as a word of righteousness,—the authority of the word in the conscience doth secure it that its peace is firm and stable. This it is to have an experiment of the word, when we find our souls satisfied and fortified by the authority of it, against all oppositions, that through Christ we are accepted of God, and are at peace with him.
(2.) In satisfying the heart to choose and prefer spiritual, invisible, and eternal things, before those that are present, and offer us the security of their immediate enjoyment. When we are satisfied that it is good for us, that it is best for us, to forego present earthly things, which we see and handle, and know full well the comfort, benefit, and advantage of, for those things which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor can they by any reasonings of our own take place in the conceptions of our hearts, merely on the authority of the word, testifying to the excellency and certainty of these invisible things, then have we an experiment of the power of the word. Now, as the experience intended consists in these things, so it is easy to discern of how great importance it is, and how much it is our duty to endeavour it.
VER. 12-14.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 597.
_ In the 14th verse, which completes the antithesis proposed, and wherein the apostle issues his-discourse on this matter, four things are expressed :—1. The subject concerning whom he speaks, in op- position unto them whom he called vr, or “ babes;” and these are o/ rAeso, “ those that are of full age.” 2. The food that is proper for them, in opposition to the milk of babes; and that is oreped rpopa, —*‘strong meat,” or sound, solid nourishment. 3. A description of them, giving an account of what is said concerning the meetness of strong meat unto them; and that is, because they are such as have aiclnripia yeyuuvaouéva,— their senses exercised to discern good and evil:” which belongs unto the description of the subject of the pro- position, “those of full age.” 4, The means whereby they came into