2So Spiritual Perfecion. I iJdom ; the principal part of it. Wif- dom is not imployed about trivial things, but affairs of moment. Now what is there of fuch confequence in the World, as the direaing the Soul to Eternal Blef- fednefs ? How to efcape the molt immi- nent and dcftruaive Evil, and to obtain the molt defirable Good. Indeed the Pafíion ofFear, when ex- orbitant and overwhelming , caufes a wretched neglea of the means of Salva- tion. If a Ship fprings a leak, and the Waters pour falter into it, than the Ma- riners can pump it out, and they fee no- thing but the Sea ready to (wallow them up, their Hearts and Hands faint, and they give over all labour. If Men are defperate, they will be difobedient : But we can never raire our Fears of God too high, if we retain a firm belief of his Mercy that rejoices over Yadgment. This will not infringe our Liberty , but in- large it ; for 'tis the molt ignominious flavery to be under the dominion of Sin, and the juft apprehenfions of its terrible Confequences. The Fear of God ingages him to be our Friend, and refcues us from all the perplexities to which we are lyable in this open flare. Many Sins are commit - ted for the fear of the Anger of Men, ,4nd prefìmption of the Mercy of God ; but
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