370 Chap. 28. an Expofstion*pon the Bao{¿, of J o a. Verf. 28 God, concluded concerning there, Adorers of Idols, or dunghil gods, as he did in fomewhat a like cafe again{{ his ancient people turning to Idolatry (lfa.6.6.4. )1 alfo have have c.bfen their dell's- flans, andhave brought rbcir fearea cs pon them. Now as the beft of thefe fearts, hitherto toucht upon, is but natural,fome finful,andothersdiaholical,and ïo at furtbefl difiance from chat fear of the Lord, in the text, which is our wi fdom; So Fourthly, We maygoe one Rep further in the negative, to Chew that there is a fear of the Lord, which is not ourwifdotaa, the wifdom intended here by Sob. For though God be the ob- je&of ir, though it may be called a fear of God, yet 'cianot fuch a fear as God calls his people co, or a fear purely according, to the mind of God. But what is this fear, or how may we diflinguifh it from tha fear of the Lord which is our wifdom ? I anfwer, 'Tis that fear of the Lord, I mean, which is comó monly called flavifhfear ; whenwe fear God only Its a judge,and as a revenger, fuch a fear of the Lord is not firisaly our wifdom, though poffibly,it may be ameanes,or at lea(i an occafion to lead us to that whichis. Ot this fear the Apoftle fpeakes Rom. 8. 5.) Te have not received the fpirit of bondalé eigacs'to fear ; that is,to fear like {laves or malefaecors,asformerly ye did. And again,( 70/1.4 18.)There is nofear in love,bset perfen lorecafieth our fear. What fear dotb perfe& love cat+otat ? the next words refolve us; Becaufefear bath torment.He that fares God flavifhä ly,is tormented in every duty he performer toGod. When he prayes he is tormented,wben he helms he is torrnented,whenhe doth but thinkof God he is tormented. And that firft, in the very as of the duty, he bath no fuiteableaefs to it, no comfort in it. Secondly, as to the iffue of the duty, hedoubts whether ever he (hall havean anfwer, or any benefit by it. But the fear of the text (which is our wisdom) is in love, love mingles with it, and is connatural to it. The more we love the Lord as his children, the more we fear himCod he more we fear him, themorewe love him ; there is not only a reciprocation but an increafe be- tween there two. Love bath much holy fear with it, but it bath no ferv_ile" or tormenting fear in it none find more love from God then they that fearhim molt. And where the pure love of Cod
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=