Choice experiences of the kind dealings of God before, in, and after conversion laid down in six general heads : together with some brief observations upon the same : whereunto is added a description of true experience / by J. Turner.

The Conclusion.

HAving thus far writtenof my Experience in several general heads, which do include many particular Ex∣periments, I had some thoughts to have written of many other things, but my Book being almost full, I shall conclude with a few lines as to Experience it self, what it is, how, and by what means it is attained.

There be various things about which persons may be exercised in way of Experi∣ence, yet all may be divided

under one of these two heads, its either in relation to the world, or in relation to God; as to that of the World, its all but vanity and vexation of spirit, Eccl. 1. 14. and he that uncreaseth knowledge in those things, increaseth sorrow, verse 18. and though there may be something of that nature convenient for Saints to know upon a natural or civil account, its but perishing at best, and therefore too low for them to spend much of their precious time and thoughts about: Its their pri∣vilege to have inlarged ex∣perience in the great things

of God, things that are last∣ing and durable to eternity; and as godly persons may have experience in some things of the world, so car∣nal persons may have experi∣ence of the dealings of God in some things, as to ma∣ny outward blessings and deliverances by a common hand of providence, in which they do many times so bless themselves, as if they were highly in fa∣vour with God, when the Lord knows it is no such thing, but it may be they have their portion in this life, and are delivered

from a lesser, to be reserved to a greater destruction.

But as to Experience from a truesanctified knowledge, or special work of the Spi∣rit of God, they are altoge∣ther strangers to it, 1 Cor. 2. 14. its only the privilege of Saints to be eminent in that; and indeed its a privilege so great, that I desire for ever to bless the Lord that he hath made me, who am so unwor∣thy, in any measure to par∣take of it; for things meerly historical or traditional will vanish and come to nothing, and so far as we partake of truth, not onely in its princi∣ples

as to the understanding of it from Scripture rule, but also in its experience as to the effects and operations of it in our hearts, so far it will stand us instead, and so far do we attain true wisdome, and no farther; and indeed as to the effects and opera∣tions of it in the heart, it is the very life of Christianity; yet as to rule for the recei∣ving of any principle one word of Scripture is more worth than all our experi∣ence, and as to the avoid∣ing of evil its better to learn that any way, than by the experience of it, for so its the school of fools; yet wise

men have so learned in some things; now according to my understanding, experi∣ence is more than a bare knowledge, it is either a be∣getter, or an effect of know∣ledge, and hath alwaies re∣lation to some rule, whether it be in natural or spiritual things; if in natural things, it must answer a rule of na∣ture, if in spiritual, it must answer a spiritual rule, and the holy Scripture is that rule, by which all Christi∣an experience must be tried, according to the Lords own appointment, Esa. 8. 20. and all must answer some rule

therein exprest or implyed; by rule in this sense I mean the Scriptures, declaring the same thing; and as it must answer a rule in it self, so an∣swerable to that knowledge and understanding which persons have in the rule, so is the measure of their experi∣ence: For though some per∣sons have much knowledge as to principles, and but lit∣tle experience, yet none can have experience of that they do not understand, either in a principle before they had that experience, or else they have learned that principle by experience; for (as I said

before) all experience is ei∣ther an effect of knowledge, or by it we learn knowledge, otherwise it cannot be expe∣rience; this I mind the ra∣ther, because some persons do please themselves with a conceited experience, though ignorant in the principles of truth, when there cannot be such a thing. I must con∣fess I have been grieved to hear such persons speak of their experience, when it doth appear to me, as it is said of some that would be Preachers of the Law, 1 Tim. 1. 7. they know not what they say, nor whereof they

affirm, and these are two sorts of persons, first, such as through ignorance of the Scriptures do imagine that to be Christian experience, which doth not answer a rule of Scripture, but is con∣trary thereto. 2. Such as from corrupt principles will set up their experience above or equal to the authority of Scripture, as to give a being to institutions, or to make it a rule to judge and try all things, yea the very Scrip∣ture it self, when both it and they must be judged therby Rom. 2. 16. There is much corrupt experience in the world, and persons have been

as much mistaken in their ex∣perience, especially in these daies, as in any thing I know, and no marvel, when they leave the Scriptures as to rule & walk by the uncertain rule of their own experience, which many times is nothing but the vision of their own brains; yet notwithstanding the great mistakes of many through corrupt experience, yet true Christian experience is as ex∣cellent as ever, and that as I said before is more than a bare knowledge, it is truth brought home to the heart with life and power, by the Spirit of God conforming the soul in all things to the will

of God, being united to Christ by faith, and so by it we learn many things; First, by expe∣rience we find the word of God daily accomplished in us, and are confirmed in our faith and hope, for experience worketh hope, Rom. 5. 4. by it we come to be acquainted with our own hearts, and are not so easily deceived by them; by experience we learn how to use our spiritual armor, Eph. 6. 12, 13, 14. for offence and defence against the wiles of the devil, not being igno∣rant of his devises, 2 Cor. 2. 11. by it we learn wisdom as to the exercise of all spiritual

gifts, and do know what we have received, and what we want in a measure, and what will help or hinder a graci∣ous frame in us; also by it we learn wisdom as to the profiting by all conditions, and as to the answering of all relations, and in all these persons do many times do that for want of experience, which after they have more, they are ashamed of what they have done; and accor∣ding to that measure of it which through grace I have attain'd, I have often thought that a large experienced Christian doth as far excell

and differ from such as have but little experience, as a man differs from a child, and may say as Iob did, I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eyes see thee, Job 42. 5. and because experience is a thing so excellent, every one would be eminent in it, or at least they would be thought to be so, when the truth is there are but few that do take a right course to at∣tain it. Now for the way and means by which it is attain∣ed, I shall give my thoughts, 1. I conceive its the fruit of much Christian labour after long continuance in the truth and being 〈…〉〈…〉

various conditions. But 2. and chiefly I apprehend it is at∣tained by serious observation and meditation: for though persons may have much knowledge as to the princi∣ples of truth, and may conti∣nue long in the profession of it, and may be exercised un∣der many changes, yet if they are not serious in their obser∣vations, but things come and go with them, and they not regard it, they will never at∣tain to much experience; whereas it may be some that are more serious and observ∣ing, that have not bin so long in the truth, or so exercised, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have more 〈◊〉〈◊〉

than they, as some children will learn more in a moneth than others in a year, but this is not ordinary; for though persons may be long in the truth, and have but little ex∣perience, yet such as are new∣ly come to the faith cannot have much, though never so observing; for which cause young Christians are not to be chosen Church-officers, being subject to be soon o∣vercome by temptations; al∣so let young Christians espe∣cially, Be swift to hear, and slow to speak, Iam. 1. 19. and be more swift to hear than to offer the sa∣crifice of fools, Eccle. 5. 1. Seeing it is so that Christian 〈…〉〈…〉

in its place is a thing so excel∣lent, and that the means by which its attained is by seri∣ous observation, I desire with all Saints to give up my self to a serious observation of the dealings of God with us in all conditions, that we may not receive mercies in vain, but that we may treasure them up in our Christian experience, ha∣ving in our treasury things new and old, that we may be ready upon all occasions to bring it forth, Mat. 13. 52. to the glory and praise of God, & to the pro∣fit & comfort of our selves and others, as its our duty so to do, till the comming of our Lord, to 〈…〉〈…〉 and glory for e∣〈…〉〈…〉