God puts his fear into our hearts —
[While unconverted, we " have no fear of God before our eyes :" we all walk after the imagination of our own hearts, seeking happiness in various ways, according as we are led by our different inclinations or situations in life. But in conver- sion, God " gives us one heart and one way." By these words we do not so much understand, an unity of affection and pur- suit, in opposition to the multiplicity of desires with which every carnal mind is distracted (though doubtless that idea is included in them) as, that oneness of sentiment and action that pervades all who are the subjects of divine grace. As on the day of Pentecost, so, in every age and place, Christians, as far as they are taught of God, are of one heart and mind. The prejudices of education do indeed make a difference between them with respect to some matters of less importance ; and an undue stress laid upon these things too often prevents that close union and communion that should subsist between all the members of Christ's mystical body : but, with respect to the grand point of fearing God, there is no difference among them: all, without exception, have " one heart and one way," in that they desire above all things, and earnestly endeavour, to walk in the fear of God all the day long ]
This is to the unspeakable benefit of ourselves, and of all connected with us —
[Too often are men dissuaded from entertaining this fear, lest it should prove injurious to them; but none ever received it into their hearts without looking back upon all their former life with shame and sorrow : yea, they have ever considered the season of their first submission to it as the most blessed era of their lives; and, instead of regretting that they ever yielded to its influence, they invariably wish to have their whole souls subjected to its dominion. And as they find it thus for their own good, inasmuch as it enlivens their hopes, and purifies their hearts, so is it for the good of their children, yea, and of all connected with them. It makes them better in every station and relation of life, whether as parents or children, masters or servants, rulers or subjects : it leads them to fill up their various duties to the honour of God ; and to communicate, to the utmost of their power, the same blessed disposition to all around them.]
The same divine agency, that first converted us, proves afterwards,
II. The source of our perseverance —
" It is not in man to direct his own steps : " our progress in the way of duty depends on,
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