Chap. 28. f3n. Expojition upot.tbe Book, of J o B. Verf. 28, 3g5 tranfgrefonof the w=ckeellaitb in my heart (that is, I beholding their crantgreiflon am as fully perfwaded of ir, as if they fpake is out and told me fo in fomany words) there is no fearof God before their eyes. Dura any mockGod with flourishes and formalities inRoigion, if they fearedhim ? Dura any provoke God to his face by real and open wickednefhes, if they feared him ? ,Durff any fin with the judgements of God frefh bleeding before their eyes, it they feared the Lord and his wrath ? Dura they fin with herpes ofprecious mercy before their eyes,if they feared the Lord and his goodnefs :r Dura any flatter either others or themfelves with hopes of impunity in their fin, if they feared the Lord and his truth ? Dura any flight their own promifes, profefflons, pro- ceflations, oaths, or defigne the entangling of others by them, rather then the binding of themfelves, did they fear the Lord and his faithfulnefs,even the Lord who keepeth covenant and pro- mife for ever ? All thefe and many more tranfg-eflions ofthe wic- ed (all thefeways of tranfgrefflon are found among the wicked, it were well if none of them were found among thofe who have a Dame of Godlinefs, (I fay) all thefe tranfgreflions of the wick- ktd) f.y, there isno fear of God before their eyes. Yea, doe not thefe fay with the fool in their hearts (P/al. 14.1. ) There is noGod tobe feared, or no God but whom foolifh fear hath made. S:condfy, This fear of the Lord which is our wifdom, cloth arm and antidote the foul againa the power and poyfon of all other fears, cira, againff the fear of fuffering evil; fecondlyr, againa fear in doing good. Thefe two feares fall ofren into one, feting one reafon why many forbear to do the good which God commands, is for fear of fuffering thofe evills which either men threaten c,r they furpe&will enCue.But as he that feares the-Lord feareth to'doe evil; fo he that feareth to doe finful evils, cloth not fear the fuffering of any penal evil. He neither troublech himreif afnrehand with the fearful thoughts of that evil which he may fuf#ergnor is hemuch troubled (if at all) with the fence of thofe evils whitch he doth fuffer. Thewickedfire (faith Scie- mon,Prov.28. t.) whenno man purfneth, (they are afraid of con- ceited dangers) But the righteous are bold ar n_ Lion, they are not afraid of real! dangers. They are bold as a Lyon ; not fira, with a natural boldnefsas a Lyon ; nor fecondiy, with a proud bold- D d d nefs
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