454 Chap. 23. An Bxpofstion upon the BookofJ OB. Verf. i 5. ner.beye afraid ;that is, be not burdened and opprefl'with that fervile and flavifh fear which you are fubje& to.Chrift fpake it to his own Difciples, for even at that time deepe impreffions ofthat feare were upon them, doubting much what would becomeof them, when he fhould (of which Eie had told them ) leave the world, and be gone from them.And befides that fpecialI reafon which the Difciples then had to fear at that time.This fe r ufually arifeth from two reafons, inothers, at all times. Firft, From the Confideration of their owne weaknef a and faylings. Secondly, From the Confiderationofthe Ms;efty and great- nes of God,when they Confider thefe things they are afraid.And thoughBeleevers are freed from the prrcdominancy of flavifh fear, and are indued with infufions oftrue filial feare,yet they are often taken with this mixt feare, as in reference to their owne weakncffe, fo refpe&ing the Ma efty ofGod, with whom they have to doe. when I confider Iamafraid ofhim. Obferve. That the Majeffy andpower ofGodduely Confsdered, are tet'Ä rible even to hie ownpeople. Many menhave flight thoughts ofthe great God, they tremâ Me not, they feare not ; what's the reafon ? they Confider not; they arecarelefr, and therefore theyare fearelef fe, they are ignorant, and therefore sky are confident. There are none fo bold as they whoare thus blind. Who ie the Lord(laid Hard-hearted Tharoab) that I /hould obey hie voice, to let Ifraelgoe ? I know not the Lords neither will ¡let ¡Pad goe. Tha's a fadConfidence that proceeds from ignorance, anda fad fearelefneffe that hash no ground but carelefneffe. I remember what the anfwer was of a very Godly man uponhis death -bed ; who havingmuch trembling upon his fpirit at theapprthenfion of the greatnefft,M.Rjetty, and gloryof God,it was laid to him by a Godly friend that cameto vifit him;e Sir, you saveknown God, andbeen longacquai ,,ted wish born, why are you artsfull offeare and trembling ? O, 'ritt he, if1knew God more,l fbould tremble mere Ifwe were but more accjuainted with, and-did more Confider of the Infinite grearnes ofGc d,and ofour owne diftance from him as creatures, touch more as (inners; how Mould we be fwallowed up with divine anlazetnencs 5 fo that we muff
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