286 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. perplexities arise, but still a comfortable persuasion is kept alive that there is a rest provided, which makes them cheerful in their most difficult duties. This pre- vails in them, that their labor in tke Lord, their watch- ing, praying, suffering, alms, fighting against tempta- tion, crucifying the flesh with its lusts, shall not be in. vain. This gives them such a delight in their most diffi- cult duties, as men have in a hard journey towards a desirable home or a place of rest. 2. It casts out tormenting fear, such as fills the soul with perplexing uncertainties, hard thoughts of God, and dreadful apprehensions of wrath to come. There are three things in that fear which are inconsistent with the assurance of forgiveness : 1. It proceeds from a spirit of bondage : " We have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear." Rom. 8 :.15. It, is not such a fear as makes an occasional incursion upon the mind, such as is occasioned by incidental darkness and temp- tation, such as the best and most assured persons are liable to; but it is such a fear as has a complete abiding principle in the soul, even a spirit of bondage, a pre- vailing frame constantly inclining it to fear, or dreadful . apprehensions of God and its own condition. 2. It tends to bondage, it brings the soul into bondage. .Heb. 2 : 14, 15. Christ died to deliver them., who, by fear of death, were in bondage all their days. Fear of death as penal, as it lips in the curse, which is that fear that proceeds from a spirit of bondage, brings the soul into bondage; that is, it adds to fear weariness, trouble, and anxiety of mind, and puts men upon all ways and means imagina- ble to seek for a remedy or relief. 3. It hath torment; " fear hath torment." 1 John, 4 : 18. It gives no rest,
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