474 An Expofition upon Chap. n. i, force this exhortation, and to perfvadeCbrifli- ans to have God alwayesin fear? 'S t L. Very many and {bong reafons : ,Fiat the commandement of God, very often enjoyning us to fear him ; as here, fo in many other places. Secondly , the great pralle which God irimielt giveth to this grace, as that it is the beginning of wifdome, Prov.9. 10. and 1.7. The well-fpring of life, Prov. 14.27 Our Treafure, The infiru&ion of wiatonae, Prov. 55. 33. See Prov. 14. 26. and 16.'6. and.9.23. and 28. 14. Thirdly, the precious promifes made to them which fear to finne againft God, That they (hall be bleffed, that they (hall be preferved. See Pial. 512. 1, 2, 3, &c. Allo 11a/me 128, 1, 2, 3, &c. Fourthly,. (itch alit) are pleafang and ac- cepted of God, Ali. 1o. 3E. Fíftly, ;rear profit comes by the fear of God, itconftraincth to good, it reflraineth from evil!: example in jofeph, Gm. 39. 9. and the Midwives, Exod. 1. 13. Al- ib by means of this fear, Chriflians stand in the, faith, efcape breaking off and deftru &ion; whereas proud and fetore Chriftians lofe that faith which they have and their other graces, and at length the happihef e. For from him which hash not, (fill be taken away eten that which he Lath. Such as live awfully, and in lowly reverence of God, do maintaìne theirtaith, and preferve themfelves un- to celeftiall ble(fedneffe, as Paul here not obfcurely telleth the Romans, that uuleffe they did far, they (hould be broken off (which indeed is conic fo paffe) as all the world now perceiveth) as the Jews for their proud contempt of Grace. T r ta. But teeing Gods Children are bold Lyons, Prov. 28. r. and blefed with confi- dence through Faith Ephef. 3. 12. How is it full thoughts and carnali infirmity,put- ting the godly in dread and trembling, which yet is fubdued by the ftrength of faith. For, as a little child which is let aloft on horfeback behind or before his father, when he looks towards the ground and remembreth his owne weak neffe, is made afraid of falling; but yet he overcometh this fear, and is in good heart, when he thinks that his loving father hath him fall tied to him by a Towell, or holdeth him in his hands : Or as a man fet on the top of an high Tower, whiles his minde rúnneth upon nothing but the height of the To- wer , or what a deep way he may fall, and that his tall will be with certaine danger of death, it is not poffible but his minde being upon these things,muft be fmitten with horror. But when his eyes are turned towards the barres and battlements which firmely flayeth him; then he takes fpirit to him, and puts away fear : even fo likewilè the true Beleevers', when they confider with themfelves how weake they aré, being very prone to evil!; and alío doe thinke upon the naughtineffe of their bad works, and the imperfe&ion of their belt workes, and the feverity of Gods Law, requiring their urtermoft obedience, threatning deflru &ion to the lean difobedience; finally how un- refiftible thepower, and horrible wrath of God is againfl fin i thefe confidera- tions being vehement, cannot but de- je& the minde, and call it down with frane. But on the other fide, when they raft their eyes upon the mercies and exceeding clemency of God, his moil confiant promifes , and the in- finite merites of Chrifi, communi- cated with them by faith ; then their fear is eitheir laid afide or leffened, and that they fear ? I they are much comforted and wax bold S 1 L. Gods faithfull children con- in God. lift of a fpirituall regenerate part, and of a carnal]unregenerate part.In the inward regenerate part, there is good confidence, by reafon of Gods good - nelfe in Chrift apprehended by Faith, yet the flefh or unregenerate part, fug - gefleth continually doubtfull or fear- T I M. But feeing a true faith brings urish it *ranee , and an infallible perfwafion of Gods love; and it beeing once had, can never bee lof{ opine , in refpetï of Gods power, and Clarifit in- terceffion , how is there any place for feare at all in the faithful!? Or, if beleevers Doubt.
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