3. Such are more swayed by Love than Fear: Weak Christians are most obedient, when most in fear of Hell; but the more we love the Lord our God with all our Hearts, the more we advance towards our final Estate. At first our Pride and Sensuality beareth sway and rule in us, and have no resistance, but now and then some frightnings and uneffectual checks from the fears of Hell, such they are not converted yet. And if the sense of Religion do more prevail upon us, yet our Condition is more troublous than comfortable, and all our business is, to escape the everlasting Misery which we fear, and so we may forsake the practice of those grosser Sins which breed our Fears, or perform some Duties that may best fortify us against them; but this Religion is animated by Fear alone, without the Love of God, and Holiness, that's only preparative to Religion, near the Kingdom of ⟨p. 180⟩God: But when really converted, we have the Spirit of his Son inclining us to God as a Father, Gal. 4. 6. But as yet the Spirit of Adoption produceth but weak Effects, we differ little from a Servant; 'Tis perfect Love casteth out Fear, 1 John 4. 18. When the Soul loveth God, mindeth God, and is inclined to the Ways of God, delighteth in them as they lead to God; then we are in a better progress, and more prepared for our final Estate: His great Motive is Love, his great End is perfect Love. For the present, he would serve him better, because he delighteth in his ways. O how I love thy Law! Psalm. 119. 97. and vers. 140. Thy Word is very pure; therefore thy Servant loveth it. They are willing and ready for God, these are throughly settled in a Christian Course.
3. Such are more swayed by Love than Fear: Weak Christians are most obedient, when most in fear of Hell; but the more we love the Lord our God with all our Hearts, the more we advance towards our final Estate. At first our Pride and Sensuality beareth sway and rule in us, and have no resistance, but now and then some frightnings and uneffectual checks from the fears of Hell, such they are not converted yet. And if the sense of Religion do more prevail upon us, yet our Condition is more troublous than comfortable, and all our business is, to escape the everlasting Misery which we fear, and so we may forsake the practice of those grosser Sins which breed our Fears, or perform some Duties that may best fortify us against them; but this Religion is animated by Fear alone, without the Love of God, and Holiness, that's only preparative to Religion, near the Kingdom of ⟨p. 180⟩God: But when really converted, we have the Spirit of his Son inclining us to God as a Father, Gal. 4. 6. But as yet the Spirit of Adoption produceth but weak Effects, we differ little from a Servant; 'Tis perfect Love casteth out Fear, 1 John 4. 18. When the Soul loveth God, mindeth God, and is inclined to the Ways of God, delighteth in them as they lead to God; then we are in a better progress, and more prepared for our final Estate: His great Motive is Love, his great End is perfect Love. For the present, he would serve him better, because he delighteth in his ways. O how I love thy Law! Psalm. 119. 97. and vers. 140. Thy Word is very pure; therefore thy Servant loveth it. They are willing and ready for God, these are throughly setled in a Christian Course.
