The power of true religion!

(Thomas Reade)

The power of true religion is so little felt by the bulk of professing Christians.

There are four evils which mark the decaying state of Christians in general:
  their love of the world;
  their love of ease;
  their fear of man;
  their distrust of God's providence.

The New Testament believers were just the reverse of all this:
they despised the world, and its flattering allurements;
they took up the cross, and denied themselves;
they boldly confessed Christ, and suffered for His sake;
they trusted God for all things, and so took joyfully the confiscation of their property.

And what was the blessed fruit?
They abounded in consolation;
they grew in grace;
they shone as lights in the world;
they felt joy and peace in believing.

But now we see professing Christians, even many of whom we charitably hope well . . .
  languid in their graces,
  timid in their confession,
  afraid of consequences,
  and fearful of trusting God.

Sad symptoms these, of spiritual decay!