Experimental knowledge
No, this is not another post about science and faith, but a quotation from Puritan Thomas Brooks about the importance of what these days we might call ‘experiential’ knowledge of Christian truth:-
A man that hath that experimental knowledge that accompanies salvation, will from experience tell you, that sin is the greatest evil in the world, for he hath found it so, Rom. 7; that Christ is the one thing necessary, for he hath found Him so, Ps 27:4; that the favor of God is better than life, for he hath found it so, Ps 63:3; that only pardoning mercy makes a man happy, for he hath found it so, Ps 32:1,2; that a wounded spirit is such a burden that none can bear, for he hath found it so, Pr 28:14; that an humble and broken heart is an acceptable sacrifice to God, for he hath found it so, Ps 51:17; that the promises are precious pearls, for he hath found them so, 2 Pet 1:4; that the smiles of God will make up the want of any outward mercy, for he hath found it so, Ps 4:5-8; that only communion with God can make a heaven in a believer’s heart, for he hath found it so, Ps 48:10; that if the Spirit be pleased and obeyed, He will be a Comforter to the soul, for he hath found it so, Jn 15:1-14. Well! souls, remember this, that knowledge that is not experimental will never turn to your account, it will only increase your guilt and torment, as it did the Scribes and Pharisees.