Poetical fragments heart-employment with God and it selfPoetical fragments heart-imployment with God and it self

Sinner. Would not the worst of men be saved from Hell? And in delight and endless pleasure dwell? But to be Holy I have no desire, But as a means to keep me from Hell fire. When I seem to do good, or ill forbear, It is not out of Love, but slavish fear. All my Religion is but from Self-love: I find no pleasure in the things above.

Sinner. Would not the worst of men be sav'd from Hell? And in delight and endless pleasure dwell? But to be Holy I have no desire, But as a means to keep me from Hell fire. When I seem to do good, or ill forbear, It is not out of Love, but slavish fear. All my Religion is but from Self-love: I find no pleasure in the things above.

Jesus. Natural Love of Self is the foundation Which Grace builds on, and useth for Salvation. He that loves not himself, loves not another: It's as thy Self that thou must love thy Brother. Thy own Salvation is the lawful end, Which Grace and Nature bind thee to intend. ⟨p. 111⟩Why was I made man, but for man's Salvation? I suffered Death to hinder thy Damnation. These are the ends for which thou must believe: Life through a Saviour's that thou must receive. •t's Carnal Self that wicked men do love: The Lawful Love of Self they'll not improve. They all prefer sin's pleasure for a season; Their fleshly appetite doth rule their Reason. Me and my healing Grace they will not have; They'll not endure that Mercy should them save. They hate the Light that would their sin display, And would direct them in the holy way: Though they fear Hell, they always fear much more The loss of honour, pleasure, health or store. No fear of Hell will take their Idol down, And make them seek first the Eternal Crown. The Fear of God is Wisdom's true beginning: It calls to Duty, and preserves from sinning: God must be feared, as one that can destroy The Soul, and shut it out of endless Joy. The Fear of God's the Just man's Character: They fear not God indeed that wished are. God would be feared as a consuming fire: This is no sin but what he doth require. Love may lie hidden as a covered seed; When Fear in troubling Passion doth exceed. If angry Parents make the Child afraid, He feels not Love, till Passion be allayed. Excessive Fear may hinder active Love, And yet the […] not […]: