MARCH 22
But sometimes this excellent quality, tenderness of conscience, is carried to an extreme. We find some who fear where no fear is; who are continually condemning themselves without cause; imagining some things to be sinful, which the Scripture nowhere condemns; and supposing other things to be their duty, which the Scripture nowhere enjoins. This is properly termed a scrupulous conscience, and is a sore evil. It is highly expedient to yield to it as little as possible; rather is should be a matter of earnest prayer that you may be delivered from this sore evil, and may recover a sound mind.
Conscience
I see abundantly more than I feel. I want to feel more love and zeal for God.
Letter, 24th February, 1786
