Knowledge acquired by long use without a teacher. It consists in the ideas of things we have seen or read, which the judgment has reflected on, to form for itself a rule or method. Christian experience is that religious knowledge which is acquired by any exercises, enjoyments, or sufferings, either of body or mind. Nothing is more common than to ridicule and despise what is called religious experience as mere enthusiasm. But if religion consist in feeling, we would ask, how it can possibly exist without experience? We are convinced of, and admit the propriety of the term, when applied to those branches of science which are not founded on speculation or conjecture, but on sensible trial. Why, then, should it be rejected when applied to religion? It is evident that, however beautiful religion may be in name, its excellency and energy are only truly known and displayed as experienced. A system believed, or a mind merely informed, will produce little good, except the heart be affected, and we feel its influence.

To experience, then, the religion of Christ, we must not only be acquainted with its theory, but enjoy its power; subduing our corruptions, animating our affections, and exciting us to duty. Hence the Scripture calls experience tasting, Psalms 34:8 . feeling, &c. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 , &c. That our experience is always absolutely pure in the present state cannot be expected. "The best experience, " says a good writer, "may be mixed with natural affections and passions, impressions on the imagination, self- righteousness, or spiritual pride;" but this is no reason that all experience is to be rejected, for upon this ground nothing could be received, is, however, to be lamented, that while the best of men have a mixture in their experience, there are others whose experience (so called)is entirely counterfeit. They have been alarmed, have changed the ground of their confidence, have had their imaginations heated and delighted by impressions and visionary representations; they have recollected the promises of the Gospel, as if spoken to them with peculiar appropriation, to certify them that their sins were forgiven; and having seen and heard such wonderful things, they think they must doubt no more of their adoption into the family of God.

They have also frequently heard all experience profanely ridiculed as enthusiasm; and this betrays them into the opposite extreme, so that they are emboldened to despise every caution as the result of emnity to internal religion, and to act as if there were no delusive or counterfeit experience. But the event too plainly shows their awful mistake, and that they grounded their expectations upon the account given of the extraordinary operation of the Holy Spirit on the mind of prophets, rather than on the promises of his renewing influences in the hearts of believers. When, therefore, they lose the impressions with which they once were elated, they relapse nearly into their old course of life, their creed and confidence alone excepted." Christian experience may be considered as genuine,

1. When it accords with the revelation of God's mind and will, or what he has revealed in his word. Any thing contrary to this, however pleasing, cannot be sound, or produced by divine agency.

2. When its tendency is to promote humility in its tendency is to promote humility in us: that experience, by which we learn our own weakness, and subdues pride, must be good.

3. When it teaches us to bear with others, and to do them good.

4. When it operates so as to excite us to be ardent in our devotion, and sincere in our regard to God. A powerful experience of the divine favour will lead us to acknowledge the same, and to manifest our gratitude both by constant praise and genuine piety. Christian experience, however, may be abused.

There are some good people who certainly have felt and enjoyed the power of religion, and yet have not always acted with prudence as to their experience.

1. Some boast of their experiences, or talk of them as if they were they acquainted with others, they would find it not so. That a man may make mention of his experience, is no way improper, but often useful; but to hear persons always talking of themselves, seems to indicate a spirit of pride, and that their experience cannot be very deep.

2. Another abuse of experience is, dependence on it. We ought certainly to take encouragement from past circumstances, if we can: but if we are so dependent on past experience as to preclude present exertions, or always expect to have exactly the same assistance in every state, trial, or ordinance, we shall be disappointed. God has wisely ordered it, that though he never will leave his people, yet he will suspend or bestow comfort in his own time; for this very reason, that we may rely on him, and not on the circumstance or ordinance.

3. It is an abuse of experience, when introduced at improper times, and before improper persons. It is true, we ought never to be ashamed of our profession; but to be always talking to irreligious people respecting experience, which they know nothing of, is, as our Saviour says, casting pearls before swine. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress; Buck's Treatise on Experience; Gornall's Christian Armour; Dr. Owen on Psalm cxxx; Edwards on the Affections, and his Thoughts on the Revival of Religion in New England; Dorney's Contemplations.

Bibliography Information
Buck, Charles. Entry for 'Experience'. Charles Buck Theological Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/cbd/e/experience.html. 1802.

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Charles Buck Theological Dictionary

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Experience