should be labouring daily to increase more and more ; having more of a Spirit of love ; and more of that " Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."]
Of its precise measure we may judge, by the remains of fear abiding in us —
[Examine with what feelings you contemplate God : ex- amine what it is that chiefly operates to keep you from offending him, and what it is that chiefly stimulates you to duty: examine what your views are of death and judgment ; whether they be dreaded as objects of fear, or desired as completing and con- summating your bliss.
As for that horror to which some persons are subject at the sight of a reptile or an insect, it has nothing to do with the present subject : it is a mere constitutional weakness, to which a child of God may be exposed as well as others. Love will not produce much effect on that, except as it will habituate the mind to confide in God, and to commit every thing to him. But in all things that are the proper objects of faith, love has full scope for exercise ; and will present them to the mind in so favourable a view, as to cast out all fear in relation to them.
Behold then, I say, the two emotions are like the scales of a balance : where fear preponderates, love will be found but light : but where love abounds, fear will in vain strive for an ascendant. To judge of love by its own direct workings, may not be easy ; because the warmth of our feelings towards God may depend, in a measure, on the constitutional temperament of our minds : but by its influence in dissipating and dispelling our fears, we may attain a correct judgment respecting it : if it be " perfect, it will cast out our fears ;" but " if we fear, we are not yet made perfect in love."]
Address —
1. Those who have neither love nor fear —
[We have before said, that there may be persons of this character, who have so hardened their hearts, and seared their consciences as to have contracted an insensibility to God and eternal things. And I am constrained to acknowledge, that many are found in this state even in a dying hour. But if they be deaf to the voice of conscience here, it will be heard at the instant of their departure hence. Could we but behold the obdurate sinner, or the scoffing infidel, on his first entrance into the presence of his God; does his boldness continue there? No : he cries to " the rocks to fall upon him, and the hills to cover him from the face of the Lamb," whose warnings he dis- regarded, and whose threatenings he despised. Yes, beloved ; though now more fearless than the devils (for they believe and tremble), you will then know what " a fearful thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God."