As the dispensations of God towards His children are exceedingly diverse in different ages; likewise His dealings with individual believers who live at the same time are very different. Why it is so we cannot tell; but we are sure that He has wise reasons for all that He does. In some cases pious people appear to pass through life with scarcely a touch from His rod; while others, who to us do not appear to need more chastisement than those, are held the greater part of their life under the heavy pressure of affliction, with scarcely any intermission.

Where two opposite principles exist in the same soul, there must be a perpetual conflict between them, until "the weaker dies". But as the "old man", though crucified, never becomes extinct in this life, this warfare between the flesh and the spirit never ceases until death. As these opposite moral principles operate through the same natural faculties and affections, it is a matter of course, that as the one gains strength the other must be proportionately weakened; and experience teaches that the most effectual way to subdue the power of sin is to nourish and exercise the principle of holiness.

From Thoughts on Religious Experience - 1841

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details:

Title: A Prayer From A Saint On The Borders Of Another World

Subtitle: The Narrated Puritan - T M S

Speaker: Archibald Alexander

Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan

Event: Audiobook

Date: 11/28/2022

Length: 11 min.

From the book Thoughts on Religious Experience - 1841

Life of Archibald Alexander: My services as a reader (such is his own account) were frequently in requisition, not only to save the eyes of old Mrs. Tyler but on Sundays for the benefit of the whole family. On one of these Sabbath evenings, I was requested to read out of John Flavel. The part on which I had been regularly engaged was the ' Method of Grace; ' but now, by some means, I was led to select one of the sermons on Revelation iii. 20, "Behold I stand at the door and knock," &c. The discourse was upon the patience, forbearance, and kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ to impenitent and obstinate sinners. As I proceeded to read aloud, the truth took effect on my feelings, and every word I read seemed applicable to my own case. Before I finished the discourse, these emotions became too strong for restraint, and my voice began to falter. I laid down the book, rose hastily, went out with a full heart, and hastened to my place of retirement. No sooner had I reached the spot than I dropped to my knees, and attempted to pour out my feelings in prayer; but I had not continued many minutes in this exercise before I was overwhelmed with a flood of joy. It was transport such as I had never known before, and seldom since." Life of A Alexander by James Waddel Alexander.

I have derived much satisfaction and, I hope, profit from the account which Thomas Halyburton, 1674-1712, gives of his religious experience; especially, because the account was given when the writer was advanced in years, and when his judgment was fully matured. Many youthful narratives of pious exercises are very fervent—but they are frothy, and marked with that kind of ignorance and self-confidence which arise from inexperience.