Experimental Preaching. 7

As we have said above, considerable allowance must be made (in our calculation and consideration) of what is termed the "accidentals" of life, though of course there are no accidents in a world where everything has been ordained by God. Those reared in a godly home, and who have sat under sound preaching from earliest days, can hardly expect the Spirit's application of the Word to produce so drastic a conscious change—as those who were comparative strangers of the Truth when God first meets with them.

The same thing is true of the experiences which follow conversion. Some long retain their newborn peace and joy, while others quickly come under a cloud and are shut up for years in "doubting castle." It is often due to the lopsided and deficient teaching they sit under, for there are some preachers who, if they do not plainly say so, at least convey the impression that it is sinful for anyone to be joyful in this world. There is a class of spiritual dyspeptics who are never happy unless they are miserable, and the influence of such is very chilling upon those who are still enjoying their "first love." But more generally the blame for losing his assurance lies at the young convert's own door—failure to separate from worldly companions will grieve the Spirit and cause Him to withhold His witness; while neglect of private prayer and daily feeding on the Word will give the Enemy an advantage which he will be quick to seize.

But even where there is a complete break from ungodly companions, and where the means of grace are diligently used—the joy of conversion is usually short-lived. Nor is this surprising, for deeper discoveries of our depravity must sober those with the most exuberant spirits, and cause groans to mingle with their songs. At conversion, sin is only stunned, and not killed—and sooner or later it revives and seeks to recover its lost ground, and gain complete mastery again over the heart. This presents a painful problem to the babe in Christ, for unless he has been previously instructed, he naturally thought he was completely done with sin when he gave himself to the Lord. It was his sincere and deep desire to henceforth live a holy life, and the sight he now obtains of his corruptions, his weakness in the face of temptations, the sad falls he encounters, awaken serious doubts in his heart, and Satan promptly assures him that he has been deceived, that his conversion was not a genuine one after all.

It is at this stage, that the distressed and fearing young saint is in need of real help. Alas, only too often he is hindered and stumbles. Some will laugh at his fears and say "to the winds with your doubts." The absurdity of such a course may be exposed by drawing an analogy. What good would it do to jeer at one who has a splitting headache or a raging toothache? Would it afford him any relief to say, You are foolish to harbor the thought that all is not well with you? Or to tell the poor sufferer that he is simply heeding the Devil's suggestions? "Physicians of no value" are all such Job's comforters. They do not understand the malady, nor can they prescribe the remedy; and if we yield ourselves to their guidance, being blind themselves, they can but lead us into "the ditch." Beware, my reader, of those who mock at souls in despair.

"Prepare a way for the people! Build up the highway; clear away the stones!" (Isaiah 62:10). This word to God's servant is most pertinent to the case we are now considering. To "clear away the stones" from the path of experience of a tried saint, is a great part of the minister's work. Now that which is stumbling our young convert is the discovery of his (unsuspected) inward corruptions, the power which sin still has over him, and the fact that earnest prayer seems to produce no change for the better.

Only one who has himself known these stumbling stones in his own soul is qualified to take them out of the way of others; in fact the preacher knows nothing in reality of any branch of the Truth, except as he has felt its necessity, suitableness and power in his own experience. We must ourselves be helped by God—before we can be of service to His needy people.

It is the preacher's business to point out that corruptions are no evidence of grace—yet that grace manifests corruptions, causes its recipient to strive against them, and groan beneath them. The sighs of a wounded spirit, the cries for deliverance from the ragings of indwelling sin, the sinkings of soul amidst the turbulent waves of depravity—are evidences of spiritual life, and he who sneers at such is a Pharisee, despises a poor publican.

Many of God's people are greatly harassed with temptations, frequently buffeted by Satan, and deeply exercised over the workings of sin in their hearts; and for them to learn that this is the common experience of the regenerate, strengthens their hope and moves them to renew their struggles against their spiritual foes. It means much to a sorely tried and deeply perplexed Christian, to learn that his minister is "also his brother and companion in tribulation" (Rev. 1:9).

Much wisdom and grace are needed here, if the preacher is to be both faithful and helpful. On the one hand, he must not lower God's standard to his own poor attainments, nor must he give any countenance to failure. Sin in the believer—is as vile in God's sight as sin in the unbeliever, and the allowance of it doubly reprehensible, for in the case of a believer it is against more light, fuller knowledge, greater privilege, deeper obligations. Unbelief is not to be pitied, doubtings are not to be condoned, falls are not to be excused. Sin must be frankly confessed to God, failures penitently acknowledged, all that is of the flesh condemned by us.

On the other hand, the minister must be much on his guard lest by unnecessary roughness, the bruised reed is broken and the smoking flax is quenched. Feeble knees are to be strengthened and not ignored; and the hands which hang down are to be lifted up. Patience, too, must be exercised, for as old heads do not grow on young shoulders, neither are raw recruits as well versed in spiritual warfare as the veterans of Christ's army.

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