793.]
[Here they can point out, as in a map, the country which they themselves have travelled over. They have been con- vinced of sin ; they have seen the refuges of lies which they fled to in succession, one after another, till God sent home the law in all its spirituality to their hearts. They have thus been made to despair of saving themselves, and have, like the wounded Israelites, looked simply to him that was lifted up upon the cross. And though there is a great variety in the experience of different persons with respect to these things, yet these are the general outlines in which all true Christians are agreed ; and therefore they can speak of them with truth and certainty.]
4. On the nature of the spiritual warfare —
[They are daily engaged in maintaining a conflict with sin and Satan. They have within them the two principles of flesh and spirit, which are continually struggling, as fire and water, to subdue each other '\ They know the discouragements and fears with which the Christian is assailed, and the consolations and joys with which he is revived. Nor are they " ignorant of Satan's devices," having often " withstood his wiles," and " repelled his fiery darts." On these subjects their mouth is taught, and learning is added to their lips.]
The world are often struck with this fact, and ask with amazement,
III. Whence it is that they have attained this know- ledge ?
Experience, under God, is the best teacher; and it is from experience that they know these things —
[They derive not their knowledge from books : for many either cannot read, or never have studied the writings of men upon those subjects. Nor have they received their instructions from man : for though God taught them by man, yet God alone made the word effectual to open their eyes ; and the very truths, perhaps, which they had heard frequently before without any profit, are suddenly applied to their souls, and made the power of God to their conviction and salvation. In short, it is not merely in their heads, but in their hearts that they know these things : and in speaking of them they can say with the apostle, " What our eyes have seen, and our ears have heard, and our hands have handled of the word of life, the same declare we unto you. "]
Hence it is that their knowledge of these things is so superior to that of others —
h Gal. V. 17.