272 Spiritual Perfec ion. !hotter in the account of its nature., and cleanfing Vertue here. Fear introduces ferious Religion, preferves and improves it : 'Tis the Principle of Converfion to God, and knocksat the door of the Soul, that Divine Love may have admiffion into it : It arifes from the convi&ion of Guilt , and the apprehenfion of Judg- ment that follows. When Paul difcour- fed of R ighteoufnef,, and Temperance, and yudgment to come, Felix trembled : The Prifoner, with the aftfiance of Confci- ence, made the Judge tremble. This Fear has more torment than reverence. According to the greatnefs and nearnefs of an Evil, and the apprehenfions of it, the f}ronger is the Fear. In the turning of Sinners, the impreffons of it are dif- fèrent : Stronger degrees are requifite to route the obdurate, and to make them fly from the Wrath to come. The Jay- Ior furprifed with Terrors , eryes out , Sirs, what Mall I do to be faved ? 'Tis faid, The Lord open'd the heart of Lydia, as withan oyl'd Key but anEarthquake was neceffary to open the jaylors. Till there is felt fomething more tormenting Ian carnal Tweets are pleating , Men will not mortifie their Lufis. One will not fuffer a part of his Body to be cut off, unlefs an incureable Gangrene threatens fpeedy Death. The World is prefent and fenfible
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