Miscellaneous Works of the REV. Charles Buck Volume 1; Containing the Young Christian's Guide a Treatise on Religious Experience Together with Anecdotes (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1808 Excerpt: ... Every thing in nature is full of wonder, and he who sets about the task of accounting for everything, will find, in the end, that he has accounted for nothing. As in the natural, so in the moral and spiritual world there are difficulties, which do not appear merely to such minds as yours, but to those who have obtained the most extensive knowledge. Go on, however, in humble enquiry after divine truths. Though some of them are so bright and radiant, that, like the sun, they cannot be beheld without dazzling the sight, yet you may walk in their light, and rejoice in their influence. Be thankful that every thing essential to salvation and happiness is clearly revealed. Admire that grace that has directed you into the way of truth; and though you cannot know all, encourage yourself with the thought, "that the path of the just is as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." CHAP. II. Religion not speculative. Experience explained and de fended. Particular experiences. How abused. Not to be depended on. To be reviewed. Admiration of God's goodness. Real religion does not consist merely inknowledge and the belief of doctrines. There may be a speculative acquaintance with truth, without any feeling of its influence. Some are brought up in the habit of constantly hearing the gospel; others are led to study the scriptures as critics, and seem to be conversant in religious truths as their profession; and all this maybe without any saving understanding of divine things. Indeed, many ridicule the idea of experience in religion as fanatical. They will allow the propriety and necessity of it in almost every thing beside, but here they consider it as a mark of a weak and enthusiastic mind. But it is evident such do not know what we mean by exper...