But this will not be done without much experience, diligence, and
delight in Christ. For there is nothing that Satan more desires,
than that the law may abide in the conscience of an awakened
Christian, and there take up the place of Christ and faith; for he
knows if this may be obtained, the veil is presently drawn over the
face of the soul, and the heart darkened as to the knowledge of
Christ; and being darkened, the man is driven into despair of mercy,
or is put upon it to work for life. There is therefore much
diligence required of him that will keep these two in their places
assigned them of God; much diligent study of the word, diligent
prayer, with diligence to walk with God in the world.
When this law with its thundering threatenings doth attempt to lay
hold on thy conscience, shut it out with a promise of grace: cry,
The inn is taken up already; the Lord Jesus is here entertained, and
here is no room for the law. Indeed, if it will be content with
being my informer, and so lovingly leave off to judge me, I will be
content; it shall be in iny sight, I will also delight therein: but
otherwise, I being now made upright without it, and that too with
that righteousness which this law speaks well of and approveth, I
may not, will not, cannot, dare not make it my saviour and judge,
nor suffer it to set up its government in my conscience; for by so
doing I fall from grace, and Christ Jesus doth profit me nothing.
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