Invisibles, realities, demonstrated in the holy life and triumphant death of Mr. John Janeway,…

And where shall we find a Christian that is got any higher than this, yea that doth in good earnest strive to get any higher! Now there are higher attainments to be reached after; there is a having our conversation in Heaven while we are upon Earth, neither doth this consist in ⟨p. 11⟩some weak discourses about God, Heaven and the things of Religion, it consists not in the mere praying twice a day, and in keeping the Sabbath in an usual manner▪ in its order, it consists not in a few thoughts of Religious objects coming into the mind in a common way and as easily got as lost. But true Religion raiseth the soul to longings, hungrings and thirstings not without some enjoyments. Religion in power is to act for God with strength, vigour, earnestness, intenseness, delight, cheerfulness, serenity and calmness of mind. The fruits of the spirit are joy in the Holy Ghost and Peace: fear, disquiet and terrors are usually the introduction to a better state, but they are not of the essentials of Religion; yea the contrary frame of spirit is to be striven for. To speak yet more plainly and to tell you, Honoured Sir, what fears and jealousies are, with reverence to your self, and tender affection to all your family, I fear that you your self are subject to too many desponding melancholy thoughts. The causes whereof give me leave with submission to guess at. The first I think may be your reflecting on your entering upon the ministry without that reverence, care, holy zeal for God, love to Christ and compassion to souls, which is required of every one that undertakes that holy office; it may be there was rather a respect to your own living in the world than of living to God in the world, be it thus, be it not as bad, or be it worse; the remedy is the same. These have a wondering ⟨p. 12⟩power in them, which will be felt to be grievous, when felt as they are in themselves, but continual sorrow and sad thoughts do keep this wound open too long, and are not available to the having of it cured. Wounds indeed must be first opened that they may be cleansed, they must be opened, that their filth may be discovered in reference to a purging and healing; but no longer than the balm of Gilead is to be applied, that they may be healed. And when Christ is made use of aright he leaveth joy and comfort, yet a constant humility of spirit is no way inconsistent with this peace of God.