~ Chap.1,2. ~ CHAP. I. Jer·$·24· The Natur.e of the Fear of God. 1. po R the Firft of .thefe, The FeAr. of God in Scripture is fometimes taken more generally, and fa it imports the whole Circle of Divine Duties, and of Religious Worfhip. Thus it is faid, Eccl. 12. q. F..r God andk1ep hu Commandments, for thu z! the ovhole Duty of Man. And the Reafon why Fear is thus tal<en, is partly becaufe the Fear of God bath an Influx upon all the Duties of Godlinefs, it being (if I may fo fpeak) the Pr4pofttus that guides and orders them, and therefore it may well be put for the whole Se_rvice that we owe to our Creatour; and partly, becaufe the Fear of God IS an emment ptece of 'Godlmefs, one of the prime parts of God's Service. As an Artificer receives his Title from that Work about '7'hich he is mort converfant. Upon thisaccount it is, you lhall find in Scripture, fometimes a Godly Man IS defcnbed by hts Fear. Job was a Man fearing God; and fa B!effed u the Man that jeareth God, which is the Defcription of a Gracious Perfon. 2. Secondly, This Fear of God is tal<en in a more rell:rained and limited Sence, and [o the Fear ofGod imports, That fanB:ified AffeB:ion and CanCtifying Grace, whereby the Soul doth folemnly and reverently rcfleB: upon -God's PerfeCtion;, and from thence is moved in all things to promote God's Honour. CH A P. II. The ObjeEls of the Fear, of God: NOW this Fear will be further opened to you, .if you. ~ontider its ObjeCts; which are the PerfeB:wns of God; and thoCe I. fhal!. preCent to you in this Order. t. The Majell:y of God, which appears in the Works of Nature and Providence. There is a Beam of God's Glorious Eifence, which lhines forth in all the parts 6f the Creation, that ihould draw forth our Fear. The Firmament ov~r our Heads .isfo great a Body, that the Earth is but a Prick or a Pain~, if compared 'vith it; yet that vaft Heaven, nay the Heaven of Heavens, cannot contain God. · .::rhis Difcovery of his Majelly, and of his Immenfity, fl10u ld draw forth our Fear, Who would not fear thee thou l(ing of Nations? When you look down and confider that vall ColleB:ion of Waters that is in the Sea; and that God by one Word, doth bound the raging Seas, that he f\vaths them with a Girdle of Sand, as a Nurfedoth a little Infant ; this lhould fill the Soul with a Religious Awe. The Thunder is God's Voice, whereby he fummons the World to dreaa and reverence him; nay (as little as you th ink of it) the very Clouds, which are the Water-Pots of Heaven, when they defcend upon the Earth, fhou!d move our Fear ' Fcir God faith by the Prophet, Will JOU not fiar me, thdt fend the former and the l•ter Rain? All t he Works of the Creation lhould draw forth this Grace. And certainly he that !hall but confider with himfelf that Expreffion of Scripture, that Man i.s hut a worm, and the lnhabi. ;,i~reot; \~:t~;;:~ ~~cPs 0 {t{f:hj:rs;n~cM~~~s ~~~nan~~j~a;l~~';:' ~:';o~~ ~~d fe~~ God, he aB:eth below his Duty. 2. Secondf], The Purity of God is the ObjeCt of our Fea'r. This (which is revealed in it s Glory in Heaven) caufeth the Holy Angels, and Glorify'd Saints, to pay the Tnbure of Reverence to God for ever, !fa. 6. , , 2, ;. There you !hall find tl1e Prophets ViGon of the Lord fitting upon a Throne high, and his Train lifted up, filling the Temple. The Seraphims ll:ood about him, and they cried out and laid, · Ho!J,
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