9. Those who are thus by faith _born of God_, have also _strong consolation through hope_. This is the next thing which the _circumcision of the heart_ implies; even the testimony of their own spirit, with the Spirit which witnesses in their hearts, that they are the children of God. Indeed it is the same Spirit who works in them that clear and chearful confidence, that their heart is upright toward God; that good assurance, that they now do, through his grace, the things which are acceptable in his sight; that they are now in the path which leadeth to life, and shall, by the mercy of God endure therein to the end. It is he who giveth them a lively expectation of receiving all good things at God’s hand; a joyous prospect of that _crown of glory, which is reserved in heaven_ for them. By this anchor a Christian is kept steady in the midst of the waves of this troublesome world, and preserved from striking upon either of those fatal rocks, presumption or despair. He is neither discouraged by the misconceived severity of his Lord, nor does he _♦despise the riches of his goodness_. He neither apprehends the difficulties of the race set before him to be greater than he has strength to conquer, nor expects them to be so little as to yield him the conquest, ’till he has put forth all his strength. The experience he already has in the Christian warfare, as it assures him, his _labour is not in vain_, if _whatever his hand findeth to do_, he _doth it with his might_; so it forbids his entertaining so vain a thought, as that he can otherwise gain any advantage, as that any virtue can be shewn, any praise attained, by _faint hearts and feeble hands_: or indeed by any but those who pursue the same course with the great apostle of the Gentiles, _I_, says he, _so run, not as uncertainly, so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away._
10. By the same discipline is every good soldier of _Christ_, to _inure himself to endure hardship_. Confirmed and strengthened by this, he will be able not only to renounce the _works of darkness_, but every appetite too and every affection, which is not subject to the law of God. For _every one_, saith St. _John, who hath this hope, purifieth himself even as he is pure_. It is his daily care, by the grace of God in _Christ_, and thro’ the blood of the covenant, to purge the inmost recesses of his soul, from the lusts that before possest and defiled it; from uncleanness, and envy, and malice, and wrath, from every passion and temper, that is _after the flesh_, that either springs from, or cherishes, his native corruption: as well knowing, that he whose very _body is the temple of_ God, ought to admit into it nothing common or unclean; and that _holiness becometh_ that _house for ever_, where the Spirit of holiness vouchsafes to dwell.
11. Yet lackest thou one thing, whosoever thou art, that to a deep humility, and a stedfast faith, hast joined a lively hope, and thereby in a good measure cleansed thy heart from its inbred pollution. If thou wilt be perfect, add to all these charity; add love, and thou hast the _circumcision of the heart. Love is the fulfilling of the law, the end of the commandment._ Very excellent things are spoken of love; it is the essence, the spirit, the life of all virtue. It is not only the first and great command, but it is all the commandments in one. Whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are amiable or honourable; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, they are all comprized in this one word, love. In this is perfection and glory and happiness: the royal law of heaven and earth is this, _Thou shalt love the_ Lord _thy_ God _with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength_.