it is, though many
have found it in experience and left it on record to others, there is so
slender belief of the reality and certainly of it, and so slack pursuit of
it, as if we did not believe it at all. Truly, my beloved, there is a
great mistake in this, and it is general too. All men apprehend other
things more feasible and attainable than personal holiness and happiness
in it, but truly, I conceive there is nothing in the world so practicable
as this,--nothing made so easy, so certain to a soul that really minds it.

Let us take it so then, the fault is not religion's, that those who
profess it are subject to so much fear and care, and disquieted with so
much sorrow. It is rather because Christianity doth not sink into the
hearts and souls of men, but only puts a tincture on their outside, or
because the faith of divine truths is so superficial, and the
consideration of them so slight, that they cannot have much efficacy and
influence on the heart, to quiet and compose it. Is it any wonder that
some souls be subject again to the bondage of fear and terror when they do
not stand in awe to sin? Much liberty to sin will certainly embondage the
spirit of a Christian to fear. Suppose a believer in Jesus Christ be
exempted from the hazard of condemnation, yet he is the greatest fool in
the world that would, on that account, venture on satisfaction to his
lusts. For though it be true that he be not in danger of eternal wrath,
yet he may find so much present wrath in his conscience as may make him
think it was a foolish bargain. He may lose so much of the sweetness of
the peace and joy of God as all the pleasures of sin cannot compense.
Therefore to the end that you whose souls are once pacified by the blood
of Christ, and composed by his word of promise, may enjoy that constant
rest and tranquillity as not to be enthralled again to your old fears and
terrors, I would advise and recommend to you these two things:--One is,
that you would be much in the study of that allowance which the promises
of Christ afford. Be much in the serious apprehension of the gospel, and
certainly your doubts and fears would evanish at one puff of such a rooted
and established meditation. Think what you are called to, not "to fear"
again, but to love rather, and honour him as a Father. And, then, take
heed to walk suitably and preserve your seal of adoption unblotted,
unrusted. You would study so to walk as you may not cast dirt upon it, or
op