Nerf. 20. the Epiffle to the Romans. 473 Interpret, S 1. L. It is let as contrary to high mindedneffe,. and fagnifies humble re- verence of God, or reverence of God joyned with humility ; for as pride and prefumption of heart ftirred up by Gods gifts, hach for companion carnal! fecurity, which is the greateft enemy to grace and faith : So humility arifing from the fight of our great unworthi- neffe and manifold infirmities, is ever coupled with a reverent awe of Gods difpleafure,which is a fpeciall conferver of faith,or ofa Chriftian in the eftate of faith. T 1 M. But how agreeth .thir precept of Paul[6útfear] with that commandement of Moles, Exod.2o.2o.Fear not;and with that of Chrift, Luke 12.4. Alf that of John, 1 Joh. 4. 18. Charity caffeth out fear? Saltation. S 1 L The fear forbid in thefe places is either the immoderate fear of mighty men driving others to forfake true reli- gion and their duty to God, or elfe a flavith fear of Gods terrible juflice and vengeance becaufe of fin, driving men tv perplexity of minde,and defpair of Gods mercies. Both thefe kindes of fear be evil] in their own nature,howfoever the latter is oftentimes occafion of good to Gods children , through the wit-dome and mercy of their heavenly Father, making it a meanes to prepare their foules for grace; like as a needle or a briftle makes way for the thread to en- ter and goe through, and then the briftle is cafe away : fo is this fervill fear expelled where faith and charity towards God bath once found en- trance. T 1 M. What [fear] then is it which is here commanded ? S I L. An ingenuous, godly, and humble fear, breeding continuall care not to offend God by any finne, as touch and as far as frailty will fuffer; And to deferve to lofe his favour, and to be deprived of our faith, and other his graces bellowed on us. Such a fear as uPth to be in good children to- wards their parents,whomthey arevery loath to difpleafc for their love and kindnefie (hewed unto them : So this filiali fear of God, caufeth the faithful! Doubt. to avoyd the offence of God,. not fo much for punilhment, as becaufe of his mercies and goodneffe,and for love of righteonfneffe. Oderunt peccare mali firmidine Oderunt peccare boni virtutis amore. An example to illuffrate thefe two forts of fear , good and bad, may be this, in the Son of a Judge, and a ma- lefattor, both at once Standing in the Judges pretence, fitting on the feat of luflice, they both are afraid : the ma- lefa &or hating the Judge frareth him, becaufe he hash a fword and power, to punifh him : the child out of a love of his Father, doth reverence his pretence, and dare not by any mil- behaviour provoke his Father to wrath. Of this latter fear, Paul fpeaketh here ; and alto all other texts which containe com- mendation of fear, are thus to be under- flood , as Exod. 20. 20. Derat. 6. i 3. Pfal. 112. I. lob 1.1. 417.10. 2. 35. Pfa1.25.14 _ T 1 M. Whence arifeth this good and child - like fear, whereby the breach of the law is more feared then the curie? S 1 L. From a particular and due knowledge of our own natural] weak - neffe and proneneffe to fall into fin, Matt. 26.41.The flefb is weak. As young children through feeling their owne weaknelfe, and ,readineffe to Rumble, re afraid and become more' careful! to. get them a flay ; fo it fareth with Gods hildren. Secondly, from the malice nd ftrength of Satan, who as a roaring yon, goeth about feeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5.8. Therefore we ave great need to be lober and watch - ull ; as many fear him too much, fo we may do it too little. Thirdly; from he often and carnal confideration of ods pretence, whole eye is ever ever s. Alto of his great power, being able o kill body and foùl, and to raft them nto hell, Luke 12. 5, and of his matt errible wrath and upright juffice, jud- ing and chaftening linnet's, without e- peer of perlons, r Pet. 1. 17. Laftly, otn fenfe of Gods Tweet mercies in hrift. Pfal. 13a, 4. T What reafons are there to en- Sf a c a L h f t G u t g fr C fonce
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