[Despise it not : the fears and terrors with which he has filled your minds, may be introductory to your final liberty, and your complete salvation. It is thus that the Spirit usually, if not invariably, works in those who are " translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son." He first wounds, and then heals, the soul: he " convinces us first of sin," and then " of righteousness and of judgment:" he causes us to feel ourselves lost, and makes use of that feeling to lead us to Him who came into the world to seek and save us. " Despise not then the day of small things:" for " then shall you know if you follow on to know the Lord."
On the other hand, we must say, Do not rest in it. The spirit of bondage will generate fear ; but it will not produce either love or holiness, both of which are necessary to your everlasting salvation. If we have no better principle than slavish fear to make us obedient to our God, what are we better than the heathen? The Christian must regard God, not merely as a Judge, but as a Father. He must obey, not through fear of the lash, but from a real love to his name, and an unfeigned delight in his holy will. The truth, if it enter into our hearts, will make us free: and it will " deliver us from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of God."]
3. Have you received the Spirit as a Spirit of adoption 9
[Then be thankful for it, and adore your God for the exceeding riches of his grace towards you. But take care that you do not deceive your own souls respecting it. It is possible to mistake in this matter, and to refer to God's agency the delusions of Satan and of your own hearts. Many indulge a very unhallowed confidence in God. But, though it is our privilege to put away slavish fear, it is our duty to cherish to the uttermost & filial fear of offending God. We must " walk in the fear of the Lord all the day long." If we are on our guard in this particular, then our confidence cannot be too strong ; since there is nothing which a loving father can bestow on his obedient child, which our God will not confer on us. Know then your privilege, and rejoice in it ; and with all the confidence which the repetition of the word implies, go into the presence of your God from time to time, crying, " Abba, Father." But take care that you do not lose it. Take care that you " grieve not the Holy Spirit of promise, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption"1." Watch over your every action, word, and thought; endeavouring to walk
m Eph. iv. 30.
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" as obedient children," yea, " as dear children," worthy of the relation in which you stand to God ; " being holy, as He who hath called you is holy11."]
11 1 Pet. i. 14, 15.