errors of those who have appeared to be the subjects or zealous
in different respects and degrees — alas! what could make it enter into the hearts of worms of the dust, that it is fitting and suitable for them to do so?
Thus I have considered the first two of those three causes of error in conduct that were mentioned. I now come to the third.
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3. Ignorance of Satan's Devices. The third and last cause of the errors of those who have appeared to be the subjects or zealous promoters of this work, is being ignorant or unobservant of some particular things, by which the devil has a special advantage. Here I would particularly take notice of:
(1) some things with respect to the inward experiences of Christians themselves; and, (2) something with regard to the external effects of experiences.
(1) There are three things I would take notice of with regard to the
INWARD EXPERIENCES of Christians, by which the devil has many advantages against us.
1. The first thing is the mixture often found in the experiences of true Christians. When they have truly gracious experiences, and divine and spiritual revelations and exercises, they also have something else mixed with them, besides what is spiritual. There is a mixture of that which is natural and corrupt, with that which is divine. This is what Christians are liable to in the present exceedingly imperfect state: the great imperfection of grace, the feebleness and infancy of the new nature, and the great remains of corruption, together with our circumstances in this world, where we are surrounded by what tends to pollute us. Indeed, it is not to be supposed that Christians ever have any experiences in this world that are wholly pure, or entirely spiritual, without any mixture of what is natural and carnal. The beam of light, as it comes from the fountain of light upon our hearts, is pure; but as it is reflected from there, it is mixed. The seed, as sent from heaven and planted in the heart, is pure; but as it springs up out of the heart, it is impure.