We apprehend then that the genuine experience of com- munion with Christ may be distinguished from enthusiastic pretensions to it, both by its rise, and its operation on the mind. Enthusiasts found their pretensions on some visions, or dreams, or on the word of God coming in a peculiar manner to their minds : and they are filled with pride, and conceit, and an unhallowed presumptuous confidence, which are certain indications of spiritual delusion. The true child of God, on the contrary, is humbled in the dust by the favours vouchsafed to his soul : he prostrates himself like Abraham and Moses e, and covers his face with his mantle, as Elijah d, and abhors himself, like Job, in dust and ashes e. Nor is he hasty to talk of these manifestations : he will strive indeed to bring others to similar enjoyments; but he will not be forward to boast of his own : and the confidence which they create within him renders him tenfold more watchful against every occasion of sin. By such marks as these it will not be difficult for an humble person to judge; but such is the blinding efficacy of pride and vanity, that it is little less than a miracle if an enthusiast be ever brought to try himself by them.]
c Gen. xvii. 3. Exod. xxxiv. 8. d 1 Kings xix. 18.
e Job xl. 4. and xlii. 5, 6.
3. How to improve it ?
[We know of no better advice than that of St. Paul, " Grieve not the Holy Spirit, whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption." God is a jealous God. There are no bounds to his love to those who truly honour him and walk circum- spectly before him ; " He will rejoice over them to do them good :" but if we presume upon his favour, and give way to any sin, we may soon provoke him to withdraw from us. What God himself then said to his people respecting the Angel of the Covenant, whom he sent to bring them into the land of Canaan, I would say to you; " Beware of him, and obey his voice ; provoke him not : for he will not pardon your trans- gressionsf." Merciful as he is towards repenting sinners, he will not endure any secret abomination in the hearts of his believing people ; and if he behold any, he will hide his face from them till it be put away. If then he has made you new creatures, and sealed you for his own, be careful to " glorify him in your body and in your spirit, which are his."]
f Exod. xxiii. 20, 21.