HOLY FortTivunt, [SHAM. Our blessed Lord joins frequently in the same probi k bition of a slavish fear; Mat. x. 2t3. " Fear not them which can kill the body, but are, not able to kill the soul; but fear him rather, who can destroy body and soul in hell." And Peter, who once wanted courage, and de- nied his Lord, in his elder and better days, grew bolder for the name'of Christ, and he forbids us " to be afraid -or troubled at the terror of men," 1 Pet. iii. 14. He repeats the charge Of the prophet. Isaiah, sanctify the Lordof hosts in your heart; Is. viii. 13. the Lord of hosts alone is the proper object of our supreme fear, This will over-rule and abolish all other fears, as the little noises of earth are lost in the thunders of heaven. The fear of God in a sublime degree will be an effectual cure of our sinful fear of creatures. Ít is true, the principle of fear is a natural affection, it is rooted in flesh and blood, it grows high and domi- neers, especially in some constitutions, and when the natural spirits are enfeebled, it . still gains the greater ascendancy over us : But if it be indulged and encou- raged, it soon} becomes sinful, for it seems to stand op- posite to the graceof faith, and too often prevails over it. Therefore Christ chides his disciples, when they were affrighted in the storm while he was in the ship ; "Why are ye so fearful ? How is it that ye have no faith?' Mark iv. 40. And even when. Peter was walking upon the water, and Christ was near him, he saith, " O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?' Mat. xiv. 31. Fora Christian to give himself up to thewild tyranny of his fears, is contrary to the very spirit and design of the gospel of Christ; Rom. viii. 15. " Ye have not re- ceived the spirit' of bondage to fear, but,,the spirit of adoption. The spirit of power and love," 2Tim. i. 7. Remember thenyou are the sons and daughters of God: It is below the dignity of your character to yield to this slavery, and. your Father himself reproves, and your Redeemer forbids it IX. Think of the Many advantages that arise froth a hholy.fortitud'e of spirit in the midst of dangers. This divine temper of mind will establish your feet on a rock in the midst. df storms, it will animate you to practise ;every duty, and to prevent Many of the mischiefs you fear. This will preserve the soûl in a sacred serenity and
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