Caryl - Houston-Packer Collection BS1415 .C37 v8

388 Chap. 28. An Ezpofrtion upQnithe Book of J o B. Verf. 28 its own proper ad enlarge the heart, yet as confidered with its train and concomitants it Both. A man furprized with carnal fear, is made lefs then he was in all his abilities, and he feldom, in Cher fir, bath the ufe of any, but of thofe which difcover his weakness. The fear of man (that is either a meer humane fear, or the fear of moor humane things, faith Solomon, pro. 29. 2 S. dringetha pare; and a fnare bringeth a man into (traits. What can a man doe that is in a fare ? In that Cafe he is not matter of Idmfelf, and therefore muff ad ar a lower and leffer rate then himfelf ; but Godly fear bringeth a man out of all creature - fnares, and therefore maketh himmore thenhe was for God,and for all good purpofes. Thus I have given a act of forceof the eifcdsof this noble fear, by which we may difcover where it is; and if any fhould enquire, which was The fecond point propofed, whence it is, that this fear is fo little, and workes fo little in the heart and hand of mane; . I thall aniwer it in three things. Pita, The fear of the Lord is raft off upona prefumption of the'mercyof the Lord. As the want of faith is alwayes followed with carnal and dillruflful fear ; fo the abounding of prefamption will nor admit nor receive holy fear. As believers plead mercy to f}rengthen their hearts in this bleffed affurance, that their fins committed ¡hall bepardoned,fo prefumers plead mercy to harden their heats in this curfed affurance, that though they commit fin they (hall not be punifhed. Thus the prefumptuous perfon is def.- cribed,even while he is bearing theword of the-curfe(Dcu.29.z 6.) blejfi bimfelf in hie heart, and Paying, 1fhaß have peace though 1 walk in the imagination of_mine heart , to add drunkennefi to thirfi. Which may be underflood either fpecially for immoderate or exceffive drinking ; force when they are thirfiy, never think they have drunk enough, till they have drunk too much, nor arc they ever fttisfied (nor thenneither) till they arc overwhel- med and drowned in drink ; or we may expound that fpecch of adding drwnkennefr to thirfi generally, as fignifying the eager purfuit ofany fin. D-fire is the thirf} of the foul ; and as a god - iy man is faid to hanger and thirfi after righ teoufs:eft (Mat. 5.64 becaufe thee s the delire of his foul ; fo the ungodly thira after wickednefs, and when they have done it aboundantly, may well be laid roadd drssnkenw afr to th r, fi, 5e.

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