ATreatiseontheFearofGod

byJohnBunyan

Showing,Whatitis,andhowdistinguishedfromthatwhichitisnotso.Also,Whenceitcomes;whohasit;whataretheeffects;andwhattheprivilegesofthosethathaveitintheirhearts.

"Andwhosoeverwill,lethimtakethewateroflifefreely."—Revelation22:17

LONDON,PrintedforN.Ponder,atthePeacockinthePoultry,overagainsttheStocksmarket:1679.

TableofContents

1.AdvertisementbytheEditor2.TheEpistleToTheReader3.ThisWordFearastakenforGodHimself4.OfthiswordFear,asitistakenfortheWordofGod5.OfSeveralsortsofFearofGodintheHeartoftheChildrenofMen6.OftheGraceofFearMoreImmediatelyIntendedintheText7.OfthePrivilegesofthemthatthusdoFeartheLord8.TheUseofthisDoctrine

ADVERTISEMENTBYTHEEDITOR.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain oflife"—the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the sourcefromwhence it emanates.Upon a principle so vastly important, all thesubtlemalignityofSatanhasbeendirected,ifpossibletomisleadtheveryelect; while the ungodly and impenitent fall under his devices. To themindenlightenedbyDivine truth, thedifferencebetweena filial fearofoffending God and the dread of punishment is very plain. Still, by thedevil's sophistry, some of themost pious Christians have been puzzled

andbewildered.BunyanwasnotignorantofSatan'sdevices,andhehasroused the energies of his powerful mind, guided by Divine truth, torender this importantdoctrine so clearandeasy tobeunderstood, thatthebelievermaynoterr.

This rare volume, first published in 1679, soon became so scarce thatChandler,Wilson,Whitefield,andothers,omitted it fromtheireditionsofBunyan'sworks.Atlengthitappearedinthemorecompletecollectionby Ryland and Mason, about 1780. Since then, it has been reprinted,somewhat modernized, by the Tract Society, from an original copy,discoveredby that ardent loverofBunyan, theRev. JosephBelcher.Ofthisedition,fourthousandcopieshavebeenprinted.

ThegreatlineofdistinctionthatBunyandrawsisbetweenthatterroranddreadofGod,astheinfinitelyHolyOne,beforewhomallsinmustincurthe intensity of punishment; and the love of God, as the Father ofmercies,andfountainofblessedness,inthegiftofhisSon,andasenseofadoption into his family; by the influences of which the soul fears tooffendhim.Thisfearispurelyevangelical;foriftheslightestdependenceisplaceduponanysupposedgoodworksofourown,thefilialfearofGodis swallowed up in dread and terror—for salvation depends upon theperfectionofholiness,withoutwhichnonecanenterheaven,andwhichcanonlybefoundinChrist.

Mr.Mason,onreadingthistreatise,thusexpressedhisfeelings—"WhenthefearoftheLordisapermanentprinciple,inwroughtinthesoulbytheDivineSpirit, it isanundoubtedtokenofelectionto lifeeternal; forthemostpreciouspromisesaremadetoGod'sfearers,eventheblessingsofthe everlasting covenant. Such are sure to be protected from everyenemy;tobeguidedbyunerringcounsel;andwhatwillcrownall,tobebeloved of God the Father, Son, andHoly Ghost; till, by almighty andeffectual grace, he will be translated to those mansions of glory andblessedness prepared for him, where he will sing the praises of hiscovenant-Godwhileeternityendures."

Maythisbetheblessedexperienceofallthosewhoprayerfullyreadthisimportanttreatise.

GeorgeOffor.

"BLESSED IS EVERY ONE THAT FEARETH THE LORD."—PSALM128:1

"FEARGOD."—REVELATION14:7

Thisexhortationisnotonlyfoundhereinthetext,butisinseveralotherplacesoftheScripturepressed,andthatwithmuchvehemency,uponthechildren of men, as in Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Peter 1:17, &c. I shall nottroubleyouwithalongpreamble,orforespeechtothematter,norshallIheresomuchasmeddlewiththecontext,butshallimmediatelyfalluponthewordsthemselves,andbrieflytreatof thefearofGod.Thetext,yousee,presentethuswithmatterofgreatestmoment,towit,withGod,andwiththefearofhim.

First they present us with God, the true and living God, maker of theworlds, and upholder of all things by the word of his power: thatincomprehensiblemajesty, in comparison of whom all nations are lessthanthedropofabucket,andthanthesmalldustofthebalance.Thisishe that fills heaven and earth, and is everywhere present with thechildrenofmen,beholdingtheevilandthegood;forhehathsethiseyesuponalltheirways.

Sothat,considering thatby the textwehavepresentedtooursouls theLord God andMaker of us all, who also will be either our Saviour orJudge,weareinreasonanddutyboundtogivethemoreearnestheedtothethingsthatshallbespoken,andbethemorecarefultoreceivethem,andputtheminpractice;for,asIsaid,astheypresentuswiththemightyGod, so they exhort us to the highest duty towards him; towit, to fearhim.Icallitthehighestduty,becauseitis,asImaycallit,notonlyadutyinitself,but,asitwere,thesaltthatseasonetheveryduty.ForthereisnodutyperformedbyusthatcanbyanymeansbeacceptedofGod,ifitbenot seasonedwithgodly fear.Wherefore theapostle saith, "Letushavegrace,wherebywemayserveGodacceptably,with reverenceandgodlyfear."Ofthisfear,Isay,Iwoulddiscourseatthistime;butbecausethis

word fear is variously taken in the Scripture, and because it may beprofitabletoustoseeitinitsvariety,Ishallthereforechoosethismethodfor themanaging ofmy discourse, even to show you the nature of theword in itsseveral,especiallyof thechiefest,acceptations.FIRST.Thenby this word fear we are to understand even God himself, who is theobjectofourfear.SECOND.BythiswordfearwearetounderstandtheWordofGod,theruleanddirectorofourfear.Nowtospeaktothiswordfear,asitisthustaken.

THISWORDFEARASTAKENFORGODHIMSELF.

FIRST.Ofthisword"fear,"ASITRESPECTETHGODHIMSELF,whoistheobjectofourfear.

Bythiswordfear,asIsaid,wearetounderstandGodhimself,whoistheobject of our fear: For the Divine majesty goeth often under this verynamehimself.ThisnameJacobcalledhimby,whenheandLabanchidtogether onMountGilead, after that Jacobhadmadehis escape to hisfather's house; "Except," said he, "the God of my father, the God ofAbraham,andthefearofIsaachadbeenwithme,surelythouhadstsentmeawaynowempty."Soagain,alittleafter,whenJacobandLabanagreetomake a covenant of peace each with other, though Laban, after thejumblingwayoftheheathenbyhisoath,putsthetrueGodandthefalsetogether,yet"JacobswarebythefearofhisfatherIsaac"(Gen31:42,53).[1]

Bythefear,thatis,bytheGodofhisfatherIsaac.And,indeed,Godmaywellbe called the fear of his people, not only because they have by hisgracemade him the object of their fear, but because of the dread andterriblemajestythatisinhim."HeisamightyGod,agreatandterrible,

andwithGod is terriblemajesty" (Dan7:28, 10:17;Neh1:5,4:14,9:32;Job37:22).Whoknowsthepowerofhisanger?"Themountainsquakeathim, the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, theworld,andallthatdwelltherein.Whocanstandbeforehisindignation?whocanabide inthefiercenessofhisanger?his fury ispouredout likefire,andtherocksarethrowndownbyhim"(Nahum1:5,6).Hispeopleknow him, and have his dread upon them, by virtue whereof there isbegot and maintained in them that godly awe and reverence of hismajestywhich isagreeable to theirprofessionofhim."Lethimbeyourfear,andlethimbeyourdread."Sethismajestybeforetheeyesofyoursouls,andlethisexcellencymakeyouafraidwithgodlyfear(Isa8:13).

TherearethesethingsthatmakeGodtobethefearofhispeople.

First.Hispresenceisdreadful,andthatnotonlyhispresenceincommon,buthisspecial,yea,hismostcomfortableandjoyouspresence.WhenGodcomes tobringasoulnewsofmercyandsalvation,even thatvisit, thatpresence of God, is fearful.When Jacob went from Beersheba towardsHaran, he met with God in the way by a dream, in the which heapprehendeda laddersetupontheearth,whosetopreachedtoheaven;now in this dream, from the top of this ladder, he saw the Lord, andheardhimspeakuntohim,notthreateningly;notashavinghisfurycomeupintohisface;butinthemostsweetandgraciousmanner,salutinghimwith promise of goodness after promise of goodness, to the number ofeight or nine; as will appear if you read the place. Yet I say, when heawoke,all thegracethatdiscovered itself in thisheavenlyvisiontohimcould not keep him from dread and fear of God'smajesty. "And Jacobawakedoutofhissleep,andhesaid,SurelytheLordisinthisplace,andIknewitnot;andhewasafraidandsaid,Howdreadfulisthisplace!thisisnone other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven" (Gen28:10-17).

Atanothertime,towit,whenJacobhadthatmemorablevisitfromGod,inwhichhegavehimpowerasaprincetoprevailwithhim;yea,andgavehimaname, thatbyhis remembering it hemight callGod's favour thebettertohismind;yeteventhenandtheresuchdreadofthemajestyofGod was upon him, that he went away wondering that his life waspreserved(Gen32:30).MancrumblestodustatthepresenceofGod;yea,

though he shows himself to us in his robes of salvation.We have readhow dreadful and how terrible even the presence of angels have beenunto men, and that when they have brought them good tidings fromheaven(Judg13:22;Matt28:4;Mark16:5,6).Now, ifangels,whicharebut creatures, are, through the glory that God has put upon them, sofearfulandterribleintheirappearancetomen,howmuchmoredreadfuland terrible must God himself be to us, who are but dust and ashes!WhenDanielhadthevisionofhissalvationsenthimfromheaven,forsoit was, "O Daniel," said the messenger, "a man greatly beloved" ; yetbeholdthedreadandterrorofthepersonspeakingfellwiththatweightuponthisgoodman'ssoul,thathecouldnotstand,norbearupunderit.Hestoodtrembling,andcriesout,"Omylord,bythevisionmysorrowsare turneduponme, and I have retainedno strength. For how can theservantofthismylordtalkwiththismylord?forasforme,straightwaythere remained no strength inme" (Dan 10:16-17). See you here if thepresence of God is not a dreadful and a fearful thing; yea, his mostgracious and merciful appearances; how much more then when heshoweth himself to us as one that disliketh our ways, as one that isoffendedwithusforoursins?

Andtherearethreethingsthatinaneminentmannermakehispresencedreadfultous.

1.ThefirstisGod'sowngreatnessandmajesty;thediscoveryofthis,orofhimself thus, even as no poor mortals are able to conceive of him, isaltogether unsupportable. The man dies to whom he thus discovershimself."AndwhenIsawhim,"saysJohn,"Ifellathisfeetasdead"(Rev1:17).Itwasthis,therefore,thatJobwouldhaveavoidedinthedaythathewouldhaveapproacheduntohim."Letnotthydread,"sayshe,"makemeafraid.Thencallthou,andIwillanswer;orletmespeak,andanswerthoume"(Job13:21,22).ButwhydothJobafterthismannerthusspeaktoGod?Why!itwasfromasensethathehadofthedreadfulmajestyofGod, even the great and dreadful God that keepeth covenant with hispeople.Thepresenceofakingisdreadfultothesubject,yea,thoughhecarries itnever so condescendingly; if then therebe somuchglory anddread in the presence of the king, what fear and dreadmust there be,thinkyou,inthepresenceoftheeternalGod?

2.WhenGodgivethhispresencetohispeople,thathispresencecauseththemtoappeartothemselvesmorewhattheyare,thanatothertimes,byallother light, theycansee."Omylord,"saidDaniel,"bythevisionmysorrowsareturneduponme";andwhywasthat,butbecausebythegloryofthatvision,hesawhisownvilenessmorethanatothertimes.Soagain:"Iwasleftalone,"sayshe,"andsawthisgreatvision";andwhatfollows?Why, "and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness wasturnedintocorruption,andIretainednostrength"(Dan10:8,16).Bythepresence of God, when we have it indeed, even our best things, ourcomeliness, our sanctity and righteousness, all do immediately turn tocorruption andpolluted rags. Thebrightness of his glory dims themastheclearlightoftheshiningsunputsoutthegloryofthefireorcandle,andcovers themwith theshadowofdeath.Seealso the truthof this inthatvisionoftheprophetIsaiah."Woisme,"saidhe,"forIamundone,becauseIamamanofuncleanlips,andIdwellinthemidstofapeopleofunclean lips."Why, what is thematter? how came the prophet by thissight?Why, sayshe, "mine eyeshave seen theKing, theLordof hosts"(Isa6:5).Butdoyouthinkthatthisoutcrywascausedbyunbelief?No;noryetbegottenbyslavishfear.ThiswastohimthevisionofhisSaviour,withwhomalsohehadcommunionbefore (vv2-5). Itwas thegloryofthatGodwithwhomhehadnowtodo,thatturned,aswasnotedbeforeofDaniel,his comeliness inhim into corruption,and thatgavehimyetgreatersenseofthedisproportionthatwasbetwixthisGodandhim,andsoagreatersightofhisdefiledandpollutednature.

3.AddtothistherevelationofGod'sgoodness,anditmustneedsmakehispresencedreadfultous;forwhenapoordefiledcreatureshallseethatthisgreatGodhath,notwithstandinghisgreatness,goodnessinhisheart,andmercy to bestow upon him: this makes his presence yet themoredreadful.They "shall fear theLord andhis goodness" (Hosea 3:5). Thegoodnessaswell as thegreatnessofGoddothbeget in theheart of hiselectanawfulreverenceofhismajesty."Fearyenotme?saiththeLord;willyenottrembleatmypresence?"Andthen,toengageusinoursoultotheduty,headdsoneofhiswonderfulmerciestotheworld,foramotive,"Fearyenotme?"Why,whoarethou?Heanswers,EvenI,"whichhave"set,or "placed the sand for theboundof the seabyaperpetualdecree,thatitcannotpassit;andthoughthewavesthereoftossthemselves,yet

cantheynotprevail;thoughtheyroar,yetcantheynotpassoverit?"(Jer5:22). Also,when Job hadGod presentwith him,makingmanifest thegoodnessofhisgreathearttohim,whatdothhesay?howdothhebehavehimselfinhispresence?"Ihaveheardofthee,"sayshe,"bythehearingofthe ear, but now mine eye seeth thee; wherefore I abhor myself, andrepentindustandashes"(Job42:5,6).

Andwhatmeanthetremblings, thetears, thosebreakingsandshakingsofheartthatattendthepeopleofGod,wheninaneminentmannertheyreceivethepronunciationoftheforgivenessofsinsathismouth,butthatthedreadof themajesty ofGod is in their sightmixed therewith?Godmust appear like himself, speak to the soul like himself; nor can thesinner,when under these glorious discoveries of his Lord and Saviour,keepoutthebeamsofhismajestyfromtheeyesofhisunderstanding."Iwill cleanse them," saithhe, "fromall their iniquity,whereby theyhavesinned against me, and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby theyhavesinned,andwherebytheyhavetransgressedagainstme."Andwhatthen?"Andtheyshallfearandtrembleforallthegoodness,andforalltheprosperitythatIprocureuntoit"(Jer33:8,9).Alas!thereisacompanyofpoor,light,frothyprofessorsintheworld,thatcarryitunderthatwhichthey call the presence of God, more like to antics, than sober sensibleChristians; yea,more like to a fool of a play, than those that have thepresenceofGod.Theywouldnotcarryitsointhepresenceofaking,noryetofthelordoftheirland,weretheybutreceiversofmercyathishand.Theycarryitevenintheirmosteminentseasons,asifthesenseandsightofGod,andhisblessedgracetotheirsouls inChrist,hadatendency inthemtomakemenwanton:butindeeditisthemosthumblingandheart-breakingsightintheworld;itisfearful.[2]

Object.Butwouldyounothaveus rejoice at the sight and senseof theforgivenessofoursins?

Answ. Yes; but yet I would have you, and indeed you shall, whenGodshalltellyouthatyoursinsarepardonedindeed,"rejoicewithtrembling"(Psa2:11).Forthenyouhavesolidandgodlyjoy;ajoyfulheart,andweteyes,inthiswillstandverywelltogether;anditwillbesomoreorless.ForifGodshallcometoyouindeed,andvisityouwiththeforgivenessofsins, that visit removeth the guilt, but increaseth the sense of thy filth,

andthesenseofthisthatGodhathforgivenafilthysinner,willmaketheebothrejoiceandtremble.O,theblessedconfusionthatwillthencoverthyfacewhilst thou, even thou, so vile awretch, shalt standbeforeGod toreceive at his hand thy pardon, and so the firstfruits of thy eternalsalvation—"That thoumayestremember,andbeconfounded,andneveropen thymouth anymore because of thy shame (thy filth),when I ampacifiedtowardtheeforallthatthouhastdone,saiththeLordGod"(Eze16:63).But,

Second. As the presence, so the name of God, is dreadful and fearful:wherefore his name doth rightly go under the same title, "That thoumayestfearthisgloriousandfearfulname,THELORDTHYGOD"(Deut28:58). The name of God, what is that, but that by which he isdistinguishedandknownfromallothers?Namesaretodistinguishby;somanisdistinguishedfrombeasts,andangelsfrommen;soheavenfromearth,anddarknessfromlight;especiallywhenbythename,thenatureofthethingissignifiedandexpressed;andsoitwasintheiroriginal,forthennamesexpressedthenatureofthethingsonamed.AndthereforeitisthatthenameofGodistheobjectofourfear,becausebyhisnamehisnature is expressed: "Holy and reverend is his name" (Psa 111:9). Andagain, he proclaimed the name of the Lord, "The Lord, the Lord God,merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness andtruth;keepingmercyforthousands,forgivinginiquity,andtransgression,andsin,andthatwillbynomeanscleartheguilty"(Exo34:6,7).

Alsohisname,Iam,Jah,Jehovah,withseveralothers,whatisbythemintendedbut his nature, as his power,wisdom, eternity, goodness, andomnipotency,&c.,mightbeexpressedanddeclared.ThenameofGodistherefore the object of a Christian's fear. David prayed to God that hewouldunitehisheart to fearhisname(Psa86:11). Indeed,thenameofGodisafearfulname,andshouldalwaysbereverencedbyhispeople:yeahis "name is to be feared for ever and ever," and that not only in hischurch, and among his saints, but even in the world and among theheathen—"Sotheheathenshall fearthenameoftheLord,andallkingsthyglory"(Psa102:15).Godtellsusthathisnameisdreadful,andthatheispleasedtoseemenbeafraidbeforehisname.Yea,onereasonwhyheexecutethsomanyjudgmentsuponmenashedoth,isthatothersmight

seeandfearhisname."SoshalltheyfearthenameoftheLordfromthewest,andhisgloryfromtherisingofthesun"(Isa59:19;Mal2:5).

Thenameofakingisanameoffear—"AndIamagreatking,saiththeLordofhosts"(Mal1:14).Thenameofmasterisanameoffear—"AndifIbeamaster,where ismyfear?saiththeLord"(v6).Yea,rightlytofeartheLord is a sign of a graciousheart.And again, "To you that fearmyname,"saithhe,"shalltheSunofrighteousnessarisewithhealinginhiswings"(Mal4:2).Yea,whenChristcomestojudgetheworld,hewillgiverewardtohisservantstheprophets,andtohissaints,"andtothemthatfearhisname,smallandgreat"(Rev11:18).Now,Isay,sincethenameofGodisthatbywhichhisnatureisexpressed,andsincehenaturallyissogloriousandincomprehensible,hisnamemustneedsbetheobjectofourfear,andweoughtalwaystohaveareverentaweofGoduponourheartsatwhattimesoeverwethinkof,orhearhisname,butmostofall,whenwe ourselves do take his holy and fearful name into our mouths,especially in a religiousmanner, that is, in preaching, praying, or holyconference. I do not by thus saying intend as if it was lawful tomakementionofhisnameinlightandvaindiscourses;forweoughtalwaystospeakofitwithreverenceandgodlyfear,butIspeakittoputChristiansinmindthattheyshouldnotinreligiousdutiesshowlightnessofmind,orbevainintheirwordswhenyettheyaremakingmentionofthenameoftheLord—"LeteveryonethatnameththenameofChristdepart frominiquity"(2Tim2:19).

MakementionthenofthenameoftheLordatalltimeswithgreatdreadofhismajestyuponourhearts,andingreatsobernessandtruth.Todootherwise is to profane the name of the Lord, and to take his name invain; and "theLordwill not hold himguiltless that takethhis name invain."Yea,Godsaiththathewillcutoffthemanthatdothit;sojealousisheofthehonourdueuntohisname(Exo20:7;Lev20:3).Thisthereforeshowethyou thedreadful stateof those that lightly, vainly, lyingly, andprofanelymakeuseofthename,thisfearfulnameofGod,eitherbytheirblasphemouscursingandoaths,orbytheirfraudulentdealingwiththeirneighbour;forsomemenhavenowaytoprevailwiththeirneighbourtobowunderacheat,butbycallingfalselyuponthenameoftheLordtobewitnessthatthewickednessisgoodandhonest;buthowthesemenwill

escape, when they shall be judged, devouring fire and everlastingburnings, fortheirprofaningandblasphemingof thenameofthe Lord,becomesthembetimestoconsiderof(Jer14:14,15;Eze20:39;Exo20:7).[3]

But,

Third.AsthepresenceandnameofGodaredreadfulandfearful in thechurch,so ishisworshipandservice.Isayhisworship,ortheworksofservicetowhichwearebyhimenjoinedwhileweare in thisworld,aredreadfulandfearfulthings.ThisDavidconceiveth,whenhesaith,"Butasforme,Iwillcomeintothyhouseinthemultitudeofthymercy,andinthyfearwillIworshiptowardthyholytemple"(Psa5:7).Andagain,saithhe,"ServetheLordwithfear."TopraiseGodisapartofhisworship.But,saysMoses,"WhoisaGodlikeuntothee,gloriousinholiness,fearfulinpraises,doingwonders?"(Exo15:11).Torejoicebeforehimisapartofhisworship;butDavidbidsus "rejoicewith trembling" (Psa2:11).Yea, thewholeofourservicetoGod,andeverypartthereof,oughttobedonebyuswithreverenceandgodlyfear.Andthereforeletus,asPaulsaithagain,"Cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfectingholinessinthefearofGod"(2Cor7:1;Heb12).

1.ThatwhichmakestheworshipofGodsofearfulathing,is,forthatitistheworshipofGOD:allmannerofservicecarriesmoreorlessdreadandfearalongwithit,accordingasthequalityorconditionofthepersonistowhom the worship and service is done. This is seen in the service ofsubjects to their princes, the service of servants to their lords, and theservice of children to their parents.Divineworship, then, being due toGod,foritisnowofDivineworshipwespeak,andthisGodsogreatanddreadful in himself and name, his worshipmust therefore be a fearfulthing.

2. Besides, this glorious Majesty is himself present to behold hisworshippers in their worshipping him. "When two or three of you aregatheredtogetherinmyname,Iamthere."Thatis,gatheredtogethertoworshiphim,"Iamthere,"sayshe.Andso,again,heissaidtowalk"inthe midst of the seven golden candlesticks" (Rev 1:13). That is, in thechurches,andthatwithacountenancelikethesun,withaheadandhair

aswhiteassnow,andwitheyeslikeaflameoffire.Thisputsdreadandfear into his service; and therefore his servants should serve himwithfear.

3.Aboveall things,God is jealousofhisworshipandservice. Inall thetenwords,hetellethusnotanythingofhisbeingajealousGod,butinthesecond, which respecteth his worship (Exo 20). Look to yourselvestherefore,bothas to thematterandmannerofyourworship; "for I theLord thy God," says he, "am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of thefathersupon the children."This thereforedoth also put dread and fearintotheworshipandserviceofGod.

4.ThejudgmentsthatsometimesGodhathexecuteduponmenfortheirwantofgodlyfear,whiletheyhavebeeninhisworshipandservice,putfearanddreaduponhisholyappointments. (1.)NadabandAbihuwereburned todeathwith fire fromheaven,because theyattempted toofferfalse fire upon God's altar, and the reason rendered why they were soserved,was,becauseGodwillbesanctified inthemthatcomenighhim(Lev10:1-3).Tosanctifyhisnameistolethimbethydreadandthyfear,andto donothing in hisworship butwhat iswell-pleasing to him.Butbecausethesemenhadnotgracetodothis,thereforetheydiedbeforetheLord. (2.)Eli's sons, forwant of this fear,when theyministered in theholy worship of God, were both slain in one day by the sword of theuncircumcisedPhilistines(see1Sam2).(3.)Uzzahwassmitten,anddiedbeforetheLord,forbutanunadvisedtouchingoftheark,whenthemenforsook it (1 Chron 13:9,10). (4.) Ananias and Sapphira his wife, fortellingalieinthechurch,whentheywerebeforeGod,werebothstrickendeadupon theplacebefore themall, because theywanted the fear anddreadofGod'smajesty,name,andservice,when theycamebeforehim(Acts5).

Thisthereforeshouldteachustoconclude,that,nexttoGod'snatureandname,hisservice,hisinstitutedworship,isthemostdreadfulthingunderheaven. His name is upon his ordinances, his eye is upon theworshippers,andhiswrathandjudgmentuponthosethatworshipnotinhisfear.ForthiscausesomeofthoseatCorinthwerebyGodhimselfcutoff,andtoothershehasgiventheback,andwillagainbewiththemnomore(1Cor11:27-32).[4]

Thisalsorebukeththreesortsofpeople.

[Threesortsofpeoplerebuked.]

1. Such as regard not to worship God at all; be sure they have noreverenceofhisservice,norfearofhismajestybeforetheireyes.Sinner,thoudostnotcomebefore theLord toworshiphim; thoudostnotbowbeforethehighGod;thouneitherworshippesthiminthyclosetnorinthecongregationofsaints.ThefuryoftheLordandhisindignationmustinshorttimebepouredoutuponthee,anduponthefamiliesthatcallnotuponhisname(Psa79:6;Jer10:25).

2.ThisrebukessuchascountitenoughtopresenttheirbodyintheplacewhereGod is worshipped, not minding with what heart, or with whatspirit they come thither. Some come into the worship of God to sleepthere;somecomethithertomeetwiththeirchapmen,andtogetintothewicked fellowshipof their vain companions.Somecome thither to feedtheirlustfulandadulterouseyeswiththeflatteringbeautyoftheirfellow-sinners. O what a sad account will these worshippers give, when theyshall count forall this,andbedamned for it,because theycomenot toworshiptheLordwiththatfearofhisnamethatbecamethemtocomein,whentheypresentedthemselvesbeforehim![5]

3. This also rebukes those that care not, so they worship, how theyworship;how,where, or afterwhatmanner theyworshipGod.Those, Imean,whose fear towardsGod "is taughtby thepreceptofmen."Theyarehypocrites; theirworship also is vain, and a stink in the nostrils ofGod."WhereforetheLordsaid,Forasmuchasthispeopledrawnearmewith theirmouth, andwith their lipsdohonourme, buthaveremovedtheirheartfarfromme,andtheirfeartowardmeistaughtbythepreceptofmen:therefore,beholdIwillproceedtodoamarvellousworkamongthis people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom oftheirwisemenshallperish,andtheunderstandingoftheirprudentmenshallbehid"(Isa29:13,14;Matt15:7-9;Mark7:6,7).[6]ThusIconcludethisfirstthing,namely,thatGodiscalledourdreadandfear.

Footnotes

1. This is a very remarkable illustration of godly fear. Jacob does notswear by the omnipresence or omniscience of God—nor by hisomnipotence—norbyhisloveormercyinhiscovenant—norbytheGodofAbraham,butby the "fearofhis father Isaac"—the soleobjectofhisadoration.AmoststrikingandsolemnappealtoJehovah,fixinguponourhearts that Divine proverb, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning ofwisdom"—thesourceofallhappiness,bothintimeandineternity.—Ed.[1]

2.ItisofsolemnimportancethatwefeelthevastdifferencebetweenholyandunholyfamiliaritywithGod.Hasheadoptedusintohisfamily?Canwe,byanewbirth,say"OurFather?"Stillheis inheaven,weonearth.Heisinfiniteinpurity;Holy,Holy,Holyishisname.Wearedefiled,andcanonlyapproachhispresence in the righteousnessof theSaviourandMediator.Then,Omysoul,ifitisthyblisstodrawneartothethroneofgracewithholyboldness,letitbewithreverenceandgodlyfear.—Ed.[2]

3.ItisanawfulthingtoappealtoGodforthetruthofalie!AllappealstoGod,not requiredby law, areworse thanuseless; they arewicked, andcastadoubtontheveracityofthosewhomakethem—Ed.[3]

4."Togivetheback" ; to forsake, todepart, totreatwithcontempt.SeeImperialDictionary,vol.i.p.145.—Ed.[4]

5. The genuine disciple "who thinketh no evil" will say, Can this be sonow?Yes,reader,itis.SomegotoGod'shousetoworshiptheireaseandforgetfulness in sleep; some for worldly purposes; some to admire thebeautyofthefrailbody;butmanytoworshipGodinspiritandintruth.Reader,inquiretowhichoftheseclassesyoubelong.—Ed.[5]

6.TheyworshippedGod,notaccordingtohisappointment,buttheirowninventions—thedirectionoftheirfalseprophets,ortheiridolatrouskings,ortheusagesofthenationsroundaboutthem.ThetraditionoftheelderswasofmorevalueandvaliditywiththemthanGod'slawsbyMoses.Thisour Saviour applies to the Jews in his time, who were formal in theirdevotions, and wedded to their own inventions; and pronounces

concerning them that in vain do they worship God.Howmany still inworshipregardtheinventionsofman,andtraditionsofthechurch,morethanthecommandsofGod.—Ed.[6]

OFTHISWORDFEARASITISTAKENFORTHEWORDOFGOD.

Ishallnowcometo thesecondthing, towit, to theruleanddirectorofourfear.

SECOND.Butagain, thiswordFEARissometimestobetakenforTHEWORD, thewrittenWordofGod; for that also is, andought to be, theruleanddirectorofour fear.SoDavidcalls it in thenineteenthPsalm:"thefearoftheLord,"saithhe,"isclean,enduringforever."ThefearoftheLord,thatis,theWordoftheLord,thewrittenword;forthatwhichhe calleth in this place the fear of the Lord, even in the same place hecalleth the law, statutes, commandments, and judgments of God. "ThelawoftheLordisperfect,convertingthesoul:thetestimonyoftheLordis sure, making wise the simple: the statutes of the Lord are right,rejoicingtheheart: thecommandmentof theLord ispure,enlighteningtheeyes:thefearoftheLordisclean,enduringforever:thejudgmentsoftheLordaretrueandrighteousaltogether."Allthesewordshaverespecttothesamething,towit,totheWordofGod,jointlydesigningthegloryofit.Amongwhichphrases,asyousee,thisisone,"ThefearoftheLordisclean,enduringforever."ThiswrittenWordisthereforetheobjectofaChristian's fear. This is that also which David intended when he said,"Come, ye children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of theLord" (Psa34:11). Iwill teachyou the fear, that is, Iwill teach you thecommandments, statutes, and judgments of the Lord, even as Mosescommanded the children of Israel—"Thou shalt teach them diligentlyuntothychildren,andshalttalkofthemwhenthousittestinthinehouse,andwhenthouwalkestbytheway,andwhenthouliestdown,andwhenthourisestup"(Deut6:4-7).

That also in the eleventh of Isaiah intends the same,where the FathersaithoftheSon,thatheshallbeofquickunderstandinginthefearoftheLord;thathemayjudgeandsmite theearthwiththerodofhismouth.Thisrodinthetextisnoneotherbutthefear,theWordoftheLord;forhe was to be of a quick understanding, that he might smite, that is,

execute it according to the will of his Father, upon and among thechildrenofmen.Nowthis,asIsaid,iscalledthefearoftheLord,becauseitiscalledtheruleanddirectorofourfear.ForweknownothowtofeartheLordinasavingwaywithoutitsguidanceanddirection.AsitissaidofthepriestthatwassentbackfromthecaptivitytoSamariatoteachthepeople to fear theLord, so it is said concerning thewrittenWord; it isgiventous,andleftamongus, thatwemayreadthereinall thedaysofourlife,andlearntofeartheLord(Deut6:1-3,24,10:12,17:19).Andhereitisthat,tremblingattheWordofGod,isevenbyGodhimselfnotonlytakennoticeof,butcountedaslaudableandpraiseworthy,asisevidentinthecaseofJosiah(2Chron34:26,27).SuchalsoaretheapprovedofGod,letthembecondemnedbywhomsoever:"HearthewordoftheLord,yethattrembleathisword;Yourbrethrenthathatedyou,thatcastyououtformyname'ssake,said,LettheLordbeglorified;butheshallappeartoyourjoy,andtheyshallbeashamed"(Isa66:5).

Further,suchshallbelookedto,byGodhimselfcaredfor,andwatchedover, thatnodistress, temptation,orafflictionmayovercomethemanddestroythem—"TothismanwillI look,"saithGod,"eventohimthat ispoor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth atmyword." It is thesameinsubstancewiththatinthesameprophetinchapter57:"ForthussaiththehighandloftyOnethatinhabitetheternity,whosenameisHoly;Idwellinthehighandholyplace,withhimalsothatisofacontriteandhumblespirit,torevivethespiritofthehumble,andtorevivetheheartofthecontriteones."Yea,thewaytoescapedangersforetold,istohearkento,understand,and fear theWordofGod—"He that feared thewordoftheLordamongtheservantsofPharaoh,madehisservantsandhiscattleflee into thehouses," and theywere secured;but "he that regardednotthewordoftheLord,lefthisservantsandhiscattleinthefield,"andtheyweredestroyedofthehail(Exo9:20-25).

Ifatanytimethesinsofanationorchurcharediscoveredandbewailed,itisbythemthatknowandtrembleatthewordofGod.WhenEzraheardof thewickedness of his brethren, and had a desire to humble himselfbefore God for the same, who were they that would assist him in thatmatter, but they that trembled at the word of God?—"Then," saith he,"were assembled untome every one that trembled at the words of the

GodofIsrael,becauseofthetransgressionofthosethathadbeencarriedaway" (Ezra9:4).Theyare suchalso that tremble at theWord that arebestable togivecounsel in themattersofGod, for their judgmentbestsuitethwithhismindandwill:"Nowtherefore,"saidhe,"letusmakeacovenantwithourGodtoputawayallthe(strange)wives,-accordingtothecounselofmyLord,andofthosethattrembleatthecommandmentof our God, and let it be done according to the law" (Ezra 10:3). NowsomethingofthedreadandterroroftheWordliethinthesethings.

First. As I have already hinted, from the author of them, they are thewords ofGod. Therefore you haveMoses and the prophets, when theycame to deliver their errand, their message to the people, still saying,"HearthewordoftheLord,""ThussaiththeLord,"andthelike.SowhenEzekielwassenttothehouseofIsrael,intheirstateofreligion,thuswashebidtosayuntothem,"ThussaiththeLordGod";"ThussaiththeLordGod"(Eze2:4,3:11).Thisisthehonourandmajesty,then,thatGodhathputuponhiswrittenWord,andthushehathdoneevenofpurpose,thatwemightmakethemtheruleanddirectoryofourfear,andthatwemightstandinaweof,andtrembleatthem.WhenHabakkukheardthewordofthe Lord, his belly trembled, and rottenness entered into his bones. "Itrembledinmyself,"saidhe,"thatImightrestinthedayoftrouble"(Hab3:16).Thewordofakingisastheroaringofalion;wherethewordofaking is, there ispower.What is it, then,whenGod, thegreatGod,shallroaroutofZion,andutterhisvoicefromJerusalem,whosevoiceshakesnot only the earth, but also heaven?How doth holyDavid set it forth;"The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is full ofmajesty,"&c.(Psa29).

Second.ItisaWordthatisfearful,andmaywellbecalledthefearoftheLord,because of the subjectmatter of it; towit, the state of sinners inanotherworld; for that is it untowhich thewholeBible bendeth itself,eithermore immediately ormoremediately.All its doctrines, counsels,encouragements, threatenings, and judgments, have a look, oneway orother,uponus,withrespecttothenextworld,whichwillbeourlaststate,because it will be to us a state eternal. This word, this law, thesejudgments, are they that we shall be disposed of by—"Theword that Ihave spoken," says Christ, "it shall judge you (and so consequently

disposeofyou)inthelastday"(John12:48).Now,ifweconsiderthatournext statemust be eternal, either eternal glory or eternal fire, and thatthiseternalgloryorthiseternalfiremustbeourportion,accordingasthewordsofGod,revealedintheholyScriptures,shalldetermine;whowillnotbut conclude that therefore thewords ofGod are they atwhichweshouldtremble,andtheybywhichweshouldhaveourfearofGodguidedanddirected,forbythemwearetaughthowtopleasehimineverything?

Third. It is to be called a fearful Word, because of the truth andfaithfulnessof it.TheScripturescannotbebroken.HeretheyarecalledtheScripturesof truth, the truesayingsofGod,andalso the fearof theLord,forthateveryjotandtittlethereofisforeversettledinheaven,andstand more steadfast than doth the world—"Heaven and earth," saithChrist,"shallpassaway,butmywordsshallnotpassaway"(Matt24:35).Those, therefore, that are favoured by the Word of God, those arefavouredindeed,andthatwiththefavourthatnomancanturnaway;butthose that by the word of the Scriptures are condemned, those can nomanjustifyandsetquitinthesightofGod.Thereforewhatisboundbythetext, isbound,andwhat isreleasedbythetext, isreleased;also thebond and release is unalterable (Dan 10:21; Rev 19:9;Matt 24:35; Psa119:89;John10:35).This, therefore,callethuponGod'speopletostandmore in fearof theWordofGod thanofall the terrorsof theworld.[7]Therewantetheven intheheartsofGod'speopleagreaterreverenceoftheWordofGod than to thisdayappearethamongus, and this letmesay,thatwantofreverenceoftheWordisthegroundofalldisordersthatareintheheart,life,conversation,andinChristiancommunion.Besides,the want of reverence of the Word layeth men open to the fearfuldispleasureofGod—"Whosodespiseth thewordshallbedestroyed;buthethatfeareththecommandmentshallberewarded"(Prov13:13).

AlltransgressionbeginnethatwanderingfromtheWordofGod;but,ontheotherside,Davidsaith,"Concerningtheworksofmen,bythewordofthy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer" (Psa 17:4).ThereforeSolomonsaith,"Myson,attendtomywords;inclinethineearuntomysayings; let themnotdepart fromthineeyes;keeptheminthemidst of thine heart; for they are life unto those that find them, andhealth to all their flesh" (Prov 4:20-22). Now, if indeed thouwouldest

reverencetheWordoftheLord,andmakeitthyruleanddirector inallthings, believe that the Word is the fear of the Lord, the Word thatstandeth fast for ever; without and against whichGodwill do nothing,eitherinsavingordamningofthesoulsofsinners.Buttoconcludethis,

1.KnowthatthosethathavenodueregardtotheWordoftheLord,andthatmakeitnottheirdreadandtheirfear,buttheruleoftheirlifeisthelustoftheirflesh,thedesireoftheireyes,andtheprideoflife,aresorelyrebukedbythisdoctrine,andarecountedthefoolsoftheworld;for"lo,theyhaverejectedthewordof theLord,andwhatwisdomis in them?"(Jer 8:9). That there are such a people is evident, not only by theirirregular lives, but by themanifest testimony of theWord. "As for thewordoftheLord,"saidtheytoJeremiah,"thatthouhastspokentousinthenameoftheLord,wewillnothearkenuntothee,butwewillcertainlydowhatsoeverthinggoethforthoutofourownmouth"(Jer44:16).Wasthis only the temper of wicked men then? Is not the same spirit ofrebellionamongstusinourdays?Doubtlessthereis;forthereisnonewthing—"Thethingthathathbeen,itisthatwhichshallbe,andthatwhichisdoneisthatwhichshallbedone;andthereisnonewthingunderthesun"(Eccl1:9).Therefore,asitwasthen,soitiswithmanyinthisday.

AsfortheWordoftheLord,itisnothingatalltothem;theirlusts,andwhatsoeverproceedeth out of their ownmouths, that theywill do, thattheywillfollow.Now,suchwillcertainlyperishintheirownrebellion;forthisisasthesinofwitchcraft;itwasthesinofKorahandhiscompany,andthatwhichbroughtuponthemsuchheavyjudgments;yea,andtheyare made a sign that thou shouldest not do as they, for they perished(because they rejected theword, the fear of the Lord) from among thecongregationoftheLord,"andtheybecameasign."Thewordwhichthoudespiseststillabidethtodenounceitswoeandjudgmentuponthee;andunless God will save such with the breath of his word—and it is hardtrusting to that—they must never see his face with comfort (1 Sam15:22,23;Num26:9,10).

2.ArethewordsofGodcalledbythenameofthefearoftheLord?Arethey sodreadful in their receipt and sentence?Then this rebukes themthatesteemthewordsandthingsofmenmorethanthewordsofGod,asthosedowhoaredrawnfromtheirrespectof,andobedienceto,theWord

ofGod,bythepleasuresorthreatsofmen.Sometherebewhoverilywillacknowledge the authority of the Word, yet will not stoop their soulsthereto.Such,whatevertheythinkofthemselves,arejudgedbyChristtobeashamedoftheWord;whereforetheirstateisdamnableastheother."Whosoever,"saithhe,"shallbeashamedofmeandofmywords,inthisadulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man beashamed, when he cometh in the glory of the Father, with the holyangels"(Mark8:38).

3.Andifthesethingsbeso,whatwillbecomeofthosethatmockat,andprofessedly contemn, the words of God, making them as a thingridiculous, and not to be regarded? Shall they prosper that do suchthings?Fromthepromises it isconcludedthattheir judgmentnowofalongtimeslumberethnot,andwhenitcomes,itwilldevourthemwithoutremedy(2Chron36:15).IfGod,Isay,hathputthatreverenceuponhisWordastocallitthefearoftheLord,whatwillbecomeofthemthatdowhat theycan tooverthrow its authority, bydenying it tobehisWord,andbyraisingcavilsagainst its authority?Such stumble, indeed, at theWord,beingappointedthereunto,butitshalljudgetheminthelastday(1Peter2:8;John12:48).Butthusmuchforthis.

Footnotes

7.TheWordisthedecreeuponwhichwemustdependorperish.Invain,poor sinner, is any reliance upon churches ormen; neither Papist norProtestanthaveanypower"committeduntothem"toforgivesins.Iftheyclaimit,believethemnot,butpitytheirprideanddelusion.ChrististheRock,andnotpoorerringPeter,assomehavevainly imagined.Peter isdead, awaiting the resurrection of his body, and the great day ofjudgment;butChristeverlivethatalltimes,andinallplaces,abletosaveuntotheuttermost.Putnotrustinman,butinthybrokenspiritseektheblessingofChrist,thathemaypardonthysins.—Ed.[7]

OFSEVERALSORTSOFFEAROFGODINTHEHEARTOFTHECHILDRENOFMEN.

Havingthusspokenoftheobjectandruleofourfear,Ishouldcomenowto speakof fear as it is a graceof theSpirit ofGod in theheartsofhispeople;butbeforeIdothat,Ishallshowyouthattherearediverssortsoffear besides. Forman being a reasonable creature, and having even bynatureacertainknowledgeofGod,hathalsonaturallysomethingofsomekind of fear of God at times, which, although it be not that which isintendedinthetext,yetoughttobespokento,thatthatwhichisnotrightmaybedistinguishedfromthatthatis.

There is,Isay,severalsortsorkindsof fear intheheartsof thesonsofmen,ImeanbesidesthatfearofGodthatisintendedinthetext,andthataccompanieth eternal life. I shall heremakemention of three of them.FIRST.There is a fear ofGod that flows even from the light of nature.SECOND. There is a fear of God that flows from some of hisdispensationstomen,whichyetisneitheruniversalnorsaving.THIRD.There isa fearofGodintheheartofsomementhat isgoodandgodly,butdothnotforeverabideso.Tospeakalittletoallthese,beforeIcometospeakoffear,asitisagraceofGodintheheartsofhischildren,And,

FIRST.Tothefirst,towit,thatthereisafearofGodthatflowsevenfromthe lightofnature.Apeoplemaybe said todo things ina fearofGod,when they act one towards another in things reasonable, and honestbetwixtmanandman,notdoingthattootherstheywouldnothavedoneto themselves. This is that fear of God which Abraham thought thePhilistines had destroyed in themselves, when he said of his wife toAbimelech,"Sheismysister."ForwhenAbimelechaskedAbrahamwhyhesaidofhiswife,Sheismysister;hereplied,saying,"Ithoughtsurelythe fearofGod isnot in thisplace, and theywill slayme formywife'ssake"(Gen20:11).Ithoughtverilythatinthisplacemenhadstifledandchokedthatlightofnaturethatisinthem,atleastsofarforthasnottosuffer it toput them in fear,when their lustswerepowerful in them to

accomplish their ends on the object that was present before them. ButthisIwillpassby,andcometothesecondthing,namely—

SECOND.ToshowthatthereisafearofGodthatflowsfromsomeofhisdispensationstomen,whichyetisneitheruniversalnorsaving.Thisfear,whenopposedtothatwhich issaving,maybecalledanungodly fearofGod.Ishalldescribeitbytheseseveralparticularsthatfollow—

First.ThereisafearofGodthatcausethacontinualgrudging,discontent,andheart-risingsagainstGodunderthehandofGod;andthat is,whenthe dread ofGod in his coming uponmen, to dealwith them for theirsins,isapprehendedbythem,andyetbythisdispensationtheyhavenochange of heart to submit to God thereunder. The sinners under thisdispensation cannot shake God out of their mind, nor yet graciouslytremblebeforehim;butthroughtheunsanctifiedframethattheynowarein,theyareafraidwithungodlyfear,andsointheirmindsletflyagainsthim.This fear oftentimes tookhold of the children of Israelwhen theywere in thewilderness in their journey to the promised land; still theyfearedthatGodinthisplacewoulddestroythem,butnotwiththatfearthatmadethemwilling tosubmit, for theirsins, tothe judgmentwhichtheyfear,butwiththatfearthatmadethemletflyagainstGod.Thisfearshowed itself in them, even at the beginning of their voyage, and wasrebuked byMoses at the Red Sea, but it was not there, nor yet at anyotherplace,sosubdued,butthatitwouldriseagaininthemattimestothedishonourofGod,andtheanewmakingofthemguiltyofsinbeforehim (Exo 14:11-13; Num 14:1-9). This fear is that which God said hewould send before them, in the day of Joshua, even a fear that shouldpossesstheinhabitantsoftheland,towit,afearthatshouldariseforthatfaintness of heart that they should be swallowed up of, at theirapprehendingofJoshuainhisapproachestowardsthemtodestroythem."Iwillsendmyfearbeforethee,andwilldestroyallthepeopletowhomthoushaltcome,andIwillmakeallthineenemiesturntheirbacksuntothee"(Exo23:27)."Thisday,"saysGod,"willIbegintoputthedreadofthee, and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the wholeheaven who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be inanguishbecauseofthee"(Deut2:25,11:25).

Now this fear is also, as you here see, called anguish, and in another

place,anhornet;forit,andthesoulthatitfallsupon,dogreeteachother,asboysandbeesdo.Thehornetputsmeninfear,notsoastobringtheheart into a sweet compliance with his terror, but so as to stir up thespiritintoactsofoppositionandresistance,yetwithaltheyfleebeforeit."I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out theHivite," &c.(Exo23:28).Nowthisfear,whetheritbewroughtbymisapprehendingofthe judgments of God, as in the Israelites, or otherwise as in theCanaanites,yetungodlinessistheeffectthereof,andthereforeIcallitanungodly fear of God, for it stirreth up murmurings, discontents, andheart-risingsagainstGod,whilehewithhisdispensationsisdealingwiththem.

Second. There is a fear of God that driveth a man away from God—Ispeak not now of the atheist, nor of the pleasurable sinner, nor yet ofthese, and that fear that I spokeof justnow—I speaknowof suchwhothrough a sense of sin and of God's justice fly from him of a slavishungodlyfear.ThisungodlyfearwasthatwhichpossessedAdam'sheartinthe day that he did eat of the tree concerningwhich the Lord has saiduntohim,"Inthedaythatthoueatestthereof,thoushaltsurelydie."ForthenwashepossessedwithsuchafearofGodasmadehimseektohidehimself fromhis presence. "I heard," said he, "thy voice in the garden,andIwasafraid,becauseIwasnaked;andIhidmyself"(Gen3:10).Mindit,hehada fearofGod,but itwasnotgodly.Itwasnot that thatmadehimafterwards submithimselfuntohim; for thatwouldhavekepthimfromnotdepartingfromhim,orelsehavebroughthimtohimagain,withbowed, broken, and contrite spirit. But this fear, as the rest of his sin,managedhisdeparting fromhisGod, andpursuedhimtoprovokehimstill so todo; by it he kepthimself fromGod, by it hiswholemanwascarried away from him. I call it ungodly fear, because it begat in himungodly apprehensions of his Maker; because it confined Adam'sconsciencetothesenseofjusticeonly,andconsequentlytodespair.

ThesamefearalsopossessedthechildrenofIsraelwhentheyheardthelawdeliveredtothemonMountSinai;asisevident,foritmadethemthatthey couldneitherabidehispresencenorhearhisword. It drove thembackfromthemountain.Itmadethem,saiththeapostletotheHebrews,that "they could not endure that whichwas commanded" (Heb 12:20).

WhereforethisfearMosesrebukes,andforbidstheirgivingwaythereto."Fear not," said he; but had that fear been godly, he would haveencouragedit,andnotforbidandrebukeitashedid."Fearnot,"saidhe,"forGodiscometoproveyou";theythoughtotherwise."God,"saithhe,"is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces."Therefore that fear that alreadyhad takenpossession of them,wasnotthe fear of God, but a fear that was of Satan, of their ownmisjudginghearts,andsoafearthatwasungodly(Exo20:18-20).Markyou,hereisafearandafear,afearforbidden,andafearcommended;afearforbidden,becauseitengenderedtheirheartstobondage,andtoungodlythoughtsofGodandofhisword;itmadethemthattheycouldnotdesiretohearGodspeaktothemanymore(vv19-21).

Manyalsoatthisdayarepossessedwiththisungodlyfear;andyoumayknow themby this,—they cannot abide conviction for sin, and if at anytimethewordofthelaw,bythepreachingoftheword,comesnearthem,theywill not abide that preacher, nor such kind of sermons anymore.Theyare,astheydeem,bestatease,whenfurthestoffofGod,andofthepowerofhisword.ThewordpreachedbringsGodnearer to them thantheydesireheshouldcome,becausewheneverGodcomesnear,theirsinsbyhimaremanifest,andsoisthejudgmenttoothattothemisdue.NowthesenothavingfaithinthemercyofGodthroughChrist,northatgracethat tendeth tobring themtohim, theycannotbut thinkofGodamiss,andtheirsothinkingofhimmakesthemsayuntohim,"Departfromus,forwedesirenottheknowledgeofthyways"(Job21:14).Whereforetheirwrong thoughtsofGodbeget in themthisungodly fear;andagain, thisungodlyfeardothmaintaininthemthecontinuanceofthesewrongandunworthy thoughts ofGod, and therefore, through that devilish servicewherewiththeystrengthenoneanother,thesinner,withoutamiracleofgracepreventshim,isdrownedindestructionandperdition.

It was this ungodly fear of God that carried Cain from the presence ofGodintothelandofNod,andthatputhimthereuponanycarnalworldlybusiness,ifperhapshemightbysodoingstifleconvictionsofthemajestyandjusticeofGodagainsthissin,andsolivetherestofhisvainlifeinthemoresinfulsecurityandfleshlyease.ThisungodlyfearisthatalsowhichSamuelperceivedatthepeople'sapprehensionoftheirsin,tobegintoget

holdof theirhearts;whereforehe,asMosesbeforehim,quicklyforbidstheir entertaining of it. "Fear not," said he, "ye have done all thiswickedness,yetturnnotasidefromfollowingtheLord."Fortoturnthemaside fromfollowingofhim,was thenatural tendencyof this fear. "Butfearnot," saidhe, that is,with that fear that tendeth to turnyouaside.Now,Isay,thematterthatthisfearworkethupon,asinAdam,andtheIsraelitesmentionedbefore,wastheirsin.Youhavesinned,sayshe,thatistrue,yetturnnotaside,yetfearnotwiththatfearthatwouldmakeyousodo(1Sam12:20).Notebytheway,sinner,thatwhenthegreatnessofthysins,beingapprehendedbythee,shallworkintheethatfearofGod,asshallinclinethyhearttoflyfromhim,thouartpossessedwithafearofGod that is ungodly, yea, so ungodly, that not any of thy sins forheinousnessmaybecomparedtherewith,asmightbemademanifest inmany particulars, but Samuel having rebuked this fear, presently setsbeforethepeople another, towit, the true fearofGod; "fear theLord,"sayshe,"servehim-withallyourheart"(v24).Andhegiveththemthisencouragementsotodo,"fortheLordwillnot forsakehispeople."Thisungodly fear is that which you read of in Isaiah 2, and inmany otherplaces, andGod's people should shun it, as theywould shun the devil,because itsnatural tendency is to forwardthedestructionof thesoul inwhichithastakenpossession.[8]

Third.ThereisafearofGod,which,althoughithathnotinitthatpowerastomakemenfleefromGod'spresence,yetitisungodly,because,evenwhiletheyareintheoutwardwayofGod'sordinances,theirheartsarebyitquitediscouragedfromattemptingtoexercisethemselvesinthepowerof religion. Of this sort are they which dare not cast off the hearing,reading, and discourse of the word as others; no, nor the assembly ofGod's children for the exercise of other religious duties, for theirconscienceisconvincedthisisthewayandworshipofGod.Butyettheirheart, as I said, by this ungodly fear, is kept from a powerful graciousfalling in with God. This fear takes away their heart from all holy andgodlyprayerinprivate,andfromallholyandgodlyzealforhisnameinpublic, and there bemany professors whose hearts are possessed withthisungodly fearofGod;and theyare intendedby theslothfulone.Hewas a servant, a servant among the servants ofGod, andhad gifts andabilitiesgivenhim,therewithtoserveChrist,aswellashis fellows,yea,

and was commanded too, as well as the rest, to occupy till hismastercame.Butwhatdoeshe?Why,hetakeshistalent,thegiftthathewastolayoutforhismaster'sprofit,andputsit inanapkin,digsaholeintheearth,andhideshislord'smoney,andlies ina lazymannerat to-elbowallhisdays,notoutof,butinhislord'svineyard;[9]forhecameamongtheservantsalsoat last.Bywhichit ismanifestthathehadnotcastoffhisprofession,butwasslothfulandnegligentwhilehewasinit.Butwhatwasitthatmadehimthusslothful?

Whatwasitthattookawayhisheart,whilehewasintheway,andthatdiscouraged him from falling in with the power and holy practice ofreligionaccordingtothetalenthereceived?Why,itwasthis,hegavewaytoanungodlyfearofGod,andthattookawayhisheartfromthepowerofreligiousduties."Lord,"saidhe,"behold,hereisthypound,whichIhavekept, laidupinanapkin, forI fearedthee."Why,man,doththefearofGodmakeamanidleandslothful?No,no;thatis,ifitberightandgodly.Thisfearwasthereforeevilfear;itwasthatungodlyfearofGodwhichIhaveherebeenspeakingof.ForIfearedthee,orasMatthewhathit,"forIwasafraid."Afraidofwhat?OfChrist,"thathewasanhardman,reapingwherehesowednot,andgatheringwherehehadnotstrawed."Thishisfear, being ungodly, made him apprehend of Christ contrary to thegoodnessofhisnature,andsotookawayhisheartfromallendeavourstobedoingofthatwhichwaspleasinginhissight(Luke19:20;Matt25:24,25).Andthusdoallthosethatretainthenameandshowofreligion,butareneglectersastothepowerandgodlypracticeofit.Thesewilllivelikedogsandswineinthehouse;theypraynot,theywatchnottheirhearts,theypullnottheirhandsoutoftheirbosomstowork,theydonotstriveagainst their lusts, norwill they ever resist unto blood, striving againstsin;theycannottakeuptheircross,orimprovewhattheyhavetoGod'sglory.Letallmenthereforetakeheedofthisungodlyfear,andshunitastheyshunthedevil,foritwillmakethemafraidwherenofearis.Itwilltell them that there is a lion in the street, the unlikeliest place in theworldforsuchabeasttobein;itwillputavizarduponthefaceofGod,mostdreadfulandfearfultobehold,andthenquitediscouragethesoulastohisservice;so itservedtheslothfulservant,andso itwillservethee,poorsinner,ifthouentertainestit,andgivestwaythereto.But,

Fourth.ThisungodlyfearofGodshowsitselfalsointhis.ItwillnotsufferthesoulthatisgovernedtherebytotrustonlytoChristforjustificationoflife,butwillbendthepowersofthesoultotrustpartlytotheworksofthelaw. Many of the Jews were, in the time of Christ and his apostles,possessedwiththisungodlyfearofGod,fortheywerenotastheformer,towit,astheslothfulservant,toreceiveatalentandhideitintheearthinanapkin,buttheywereanindustriouspeople,theyfollowedafterthelawof righteousness, they had a zeal of God and of the religion of theirfathers;buthowthendidtheycometomiscarry?Why,theirfearofGodwasungodly;itwouldnotsufferthemwhollytotrusttotherighteousnessoffaith,whichistheimputedrighteousnessofChrist.Theyfollowedafterthe law of righteousness, but attained not to the law of righteousness.Wherefore? because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by theworksofthelaw.ButwhatwasitthatmadethemjointheirworksofthelawwithChrist,buttheirunbelief,whosefoundationwasignoranceandfear? They were afraid to venture all in one bottom, they thought twostringstoonebowwouldbebest,andthusbetwixttwostoolstheycametotheground.Andhence,tofearandtodoubt,areputtogetherasbeingthecauseoneofanother;yea,theyareputofttimestheonefortheother;thusungodlyfearforunbelief:"Benotafraid,onlybelieve,"andthereforehethat isoverruledandcarriedawaywiththis fear, iscoupledwiththeunbelieverthatis thrustout fromtheholycityamongthedogs.Butthefearful and unbelievers, and murderers are without (Rev 21:8). "Thefearfulandunbelieving,"yousee,areputtogether;forindeedfear,thatis,thisungodlyfear,isthegroundofunbelief,or,ifyouwill,unbeliefistheground of fear, this fear: but I stand not upon nice distinctions. ThisungodlyfearhathagreathandinkeepingofthesoulfromtrustingonlytoChrist'srighteousnessforjustificationoflife.

Fifth.ThisungodlyfearofGodisthatwhichwillputmenuponaddingtothe revealed will of God their own inventions, and their ownperformances of them, as ameans to pacify the anger of God. For thetruthis,wherethisungodlyfearreigneth,thereisnoendoflawandduty.WhenthosethatyoureadofinthebookofKingsweredestroyedbythelions,becausetheyhadsetupidolatryinthelandofIsrael,theysentforapriestfromBabylonthatmightteachthemthemanneroftheGodoftheland;butbeholdwhentheyknewit,beingtaughtitbythepriest,yettheir

fearwouldnot suffer them tobe contentwith thatworshiponly. "TheyfearedtheLord,"saiththetext,"andservedtheirowngods."Andagain,"So these nations feared the Lord, and served their graven images" (2Kings17).Itwasthis fearalsothatput thePhariseesupon inventingsomanytraditions,asthewashingofcups,andbeds,andtables,andbasins,with abundance of such other like gear,[10] none knows the manydangersthatanungodlyfearofGodwilldriveamaninto(Mark7).HowhasitrackedandtorturedthePapistsforhundredsofyearstogether!forwhatelse is thecausebut thisungodly fear,at least in themost simpleandharmlessofthem,oftheirpenances,ascreepingtothecross,goingbarefoot on pilgrimage, whipping themselves, wearing of sackcloth,saying so many Pater-nosters, so many Ave- marias, making so manyconfessions to the priest, giving so much money for pardons, andabundanceofotherthelike,butthisungodlyfearofGod?Forcouldtheybe brought to believe this doctrine, that Christ was delivered for ouroffences, and raised again for our justification, and to apply it by faithwith godly boldness to their own souls, this fear would vanish, and soconsequently all those things with which they so needlessly andunprofitably afflicted themselves, offend God, and grieve his people.Therefore, gentle reader, although my text doth bid that indeed thoushouldestfearGod,yetitincludethnot,noracceptethofanyfear;no,notofany[orevery]fearofGod.Forthereis,asyousee,afearofGodthatisungodly,and that is to be shunned as their sin.Wherefore thywisdomandthycareshouldbe,toseeandprovethyfeartobegodly,whichshallbethenextthingthatIshalltakeinhand.

THIRD.ThethirdthingthatIamtospeaktois,thatthereisafearofGodintheheartofsomementhatisgoodandgodly,butyetdothnotforeverabideso.Oryoumaytakeitthus—ThereisafearofGodthatisgodlybutforatime.Inmyspeakingto,andopeningofthistoyou,Ishallobservethismethod.First.Ishallshowyouwhatthisfearis.Second.Ishallshowyoubywhomorwhatthisfeariswroughtintheheart.Third.Ishallshowyouwhatthisfeardothinthesoul.And,Fourth,Ishallshowyouwhenthisfearistohaveanend.

First.Forthefirst,thisfearisaneffectofsoundawakeningsbythewordof wrath which begetteth in the soul a sense of its right to eternal

damnation; forthis fear isnot ineverysinner;hethat isblindedbythedevil,andthat isnotable tosee thathisstate isdamnable,hehathnotthis fear inhisheart,buthe that isunder thepowerfulworkingsof thewordofwrath, asGod's elect areat first conversion,hehath this godlyfear in his heart; that is, he fears that that damnation will come uponhim,whichbythejusticeofGodisdueuntohim,becausehehathbrokenhisholylaw.Thisisthefearthatmadethethreethousandcryout,"Menandbrethren,what shallwedo?" and thatmade the jailer cry out, andthat with great trembling of soul, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"(Acts2, 16).ThemethodofGod is to kill andmake alive, to smite andthen heal; when the commandment came to Paul, sin revived, and hedied,andthatlawwhichwasordainedtolife,hefoundtobeuntodeath;thatis,itpassedasentenceofdeathuponhimforhissins,andslewhisconscience with that sentence. Therefore from that time that he heardthatword,"Whypersecutestthoume?"whichisalloneasifhehadsaid,Why dost thou commit murder? he lay under the sentence ofcondemnation by the law, and under this fear of that sentence in hisconscience. He lay, I say, under it, until that Ananias came to him tocomforthim,andtopreachuntohimtheforgivenessofsin(Acts9).ThefearthereforethatnowIcallgodly,itisthatfearwhichisproperlycalledthefearofeternaldamnationforsin,andthisfear,atfirstawakening,isgoodandgodly,becauseitarisethinthesoulfromatruesenseofitsverystate.Itsstatebynatureisdamnable,becauseitissinful,andbecauseheisnotone thatasyetbelieveth inChrist for remissionof sins: "He thatbelieveth not shall be damned."—"He that believeth not is condemnedalready, and the wrath of God abideth on him" (Mark 16:16; John3:18,36).Thewhichwhenthesinneratfirstbeginstosee,hejustlyfearsit; I say, he fears it justly, and therefore godly, because by this fear hesubscribestothesentencethatisgoneoutagainsthimforsin.

Second.Bywhomorbywhatisthisfearwroughtintheheart?TothisIshall answer in brief. It is wrought in the heart by the Spirit of God,workingthereatfirstasaspiritofbondage,onpurposetoputusinfear.ThisPaulinsinuateth,saying,"Yehavenotreceivedthespiritofbondageagaintofear"(Rom8:15).Hedothnotsay,Yehavenotreceivedthespiritofbondage;forthattheyhadreceived,andthattoputtheminfear,whichwasattheirfirstconversion,asbytheinstancesmadementionofbefore

ismanifest;allthathesaysis,thattheyhadnotreceiveditagain,thatis,after the Spirit, as a spirit of adoption, is come; for then, as a spirit ofbondage, it comethnomore. It is then theSpiritofGod,even theHolyGhost,thatconvincethusofsin,andsoofourdamnablestatebecauseofsin(John16:8,9).ForitcannotbethattheSpiritofGodshouldconvinceusofsin,butitmustalsoshowusourstatetobedamnablebecauseofit,especiallyifitsoconvincethus,beforewebelieve,andthatistheintentofour Lord in that place, "of sin," and so of their damnable state by sin,because they believe not onme. Therefore the Spirit of God, when heworkethintheheartasaspiritofbondage,hedothitbyworkinginusbythelaw,"forbythelawistheknowledgeofsin"(Rom3:20).Andhe,inthishisworking,isproperlycalledaspiritofbondage.

1.Becausebythe lawheshowsusthat indeedweare inbondagetothelaw,thedevil,anddeathanddamnation; for this isourproperstatebynature, thoughwesee itnotuntil theSpiritofGodshallcometorevealthisourstateofbondageuntoourownsensesbyrevealingtousoursinsbythelaw.

2.He is called, in this hisworking, "the spirit of bondage," because heherealsoholdsus;towit,inthissightandsenseofourbondage-state,solong as ismeetwe should be so held,which to some of the saints is alonger, and to some a shorter time. Paulwas held in it three days andthree nights, but the jailer and the three thousand, so far as can begathered,notaboveanhour;butsomeintheselatertimesaresoheldfordays andmonths, if not years.[11] But, I say, let the time be longer orshorter,itistheSpiritofGodthatholdethhimunderthisyoke;anditisgoodthatamanshouldbeinHIStimeheldunderit,asisthatsayingofthelamentation,"Itisgoodforamanthathebeartheyokeinhisyouth"(Lam3:27).Thatis,athisfirstawakening;solongasseemsgoodtothisHolySpirittoworkinthismannerbythelaw.Now,asIsaid,thesinnerat first isby theSpiritofGodheld in thisbondage, that is,hathsuchadiscoveryofhissinandofhisdamnationforsinmadetohim,andalsoisheld so fast under the sense thereof, that it is not in the power of anyman,noryetoftheveryangelsinheaven,toreleasehimorsethimfree,until theHolySpirit changethhisministration,andcomes in the sweetand peaceable tidings of salvation by Christ in the gospel to his poor,

dejected,andafflictedconscience.

Third. I now come to show you what this fear doth in the soul. Now,although thisgodly fear is not to last alwayswith us, as I shall furthershowyouanon,yetitgreatlydiffersfromthatwhichiswhollyungodlyofitself, both because of the author, and also of the effects of it. Of theauthorIhavetoldyoubefore;Inowshalltellyouwhatitdoth.

1.This fearmakesaman judgehimself for sin, and to falldownbeforeGodwitha brokenmindunder this judgment; thewhich is pleasing toGod,becausethesinnerbysodoingjustifiesGodinhissaying,andclearshiminhisjudgment(Psa51:1-4).

2.Asthisfearmakesamanjudgehimself,andcasthimselfdownatGod'sfoot,soitmakeshimcondoleandbewailhismiserybeforehim,whichisalsowell-pleasinginhissight:"IhavesurelyheardEphraimbemoaninghimself," saying, "Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as abullockunaccustomedtotheyoke,"&c.(Jer31:18,19).

3.ThisfearmakesamanlieatGod'sfoot,andputshismouthinthedust,ifsobetheremaybehope.Thisalsoiswell-pleasingtoGod,becausenowisthesinnerasnothing,andinhisowneyeslessthannothing,astoanygoodordesert: "Hesittethaloneandkeepeth silence,"becausehehathnowthisyokeuponhim;"heputtethhismouthinthedust,ifsobetheremaybehope"(Lam3:28,29).

4.ThisfearputsamanuponcryingtoGodformercy,andthat inmosthumblemanner;nowhesensiblycries,nowhedejectedlycries,nowhefeelsandcries,nowhesmartsandcriestout, "Godbemerciful tomeasinner"(Luke18:13).

5.This fearmakesaman thathecannotacceptof that for supportandsuccour which others that are destitute thereof will take up, and becontentedwith.ThismanmustbewashedbyGodhimself,andcleansedfromhissinbyGodhimself(Psa51).

6.Thereforethis feargoesnotawayuntil theSpiritofGoddothchangehisministrationas to this particular, in leaving off toworknowby the

law,asafore,andcomingtothesoulwiththesweetwordofpromiseoflifeandsalvationbyJesusChrist.Thusfarthisfearisgodly,thatis,untilChristbytheSpiritinthegospelisrevealedandmadeoveruntous,andnolonger.

Thusfarthisfearisgodly,andthereasonwhyit isgodlyisbecausethegroundworkofitisgood.Itoldyoubeforewhatthisfearis;namely,itisthefearofdamnation.Nowthegroundforthisfearisgood,asismanifestby these particulars. 1. The soul feareth damnation, and that rightly,becauseitisinitssins.2.Thesoulfearethdamnationrightly,becauseithath not faith in Christ, but is at present under the law. 3. The soulfearethdamnationrightlynow,becausebysin, the law,andforwantoffaith,thewrathofGodabidethonit.Butnow,althoughthusfarthisfearofGodisgoodandgodly,yetafterChristbytheSpiritinthewordofthegospelisrevealedtous,andwemadetoacceptofhimassorevealedandofferedtousbyatrueandlivingfaith;thisfear,towit,ofdamnation,isnolongergood,butungodly.NordoththeSpiritofGodeverworkitinusagain.Nowwedonotreceivethespiritofbondageagaintofear,thatistosay, to fear damnation, but we have received the spirit of adoption,wherebywecry,Father,Father.ButIwouldnotbemistaken,whenIsay,that this fear is no longer godly. I do not mean with reference to theessenceandhabitofit,forIbelieveitisthesameintheseedwhichshallafterwardsgrowuptoahigherdegree,andintoamoresweetandgospelcurrent and manner of working, but I mean reference to this act offearingdamnation, I say it shallneverby theSpiritbemanaged to thatwork;itshallneverbringforththatfruitmore.Andmyreasonsare,

[ReasonswhytheSpiritofGodcannotworkthisungodlyfear.]

1. Because that the soul by closing through the promise, by the Spirit,withJesusChrist,isremovedoffofthatfoundationuponwhichitstoodwhenitjustlyfeareddamnation.Ithathreceivednowforgivenessofsin,it is now nomore under the law, but in Jesus Christ by faith; there is"thereforenownocondemnationtoit"(Acts26:18;Rom6:14,8:1).Thegroundwork, therefore, being now taken away, the Spirit worketh thatfearnomore.

2.Hecannot,afterhehathcometothesoulasaspiritofadoption,comeagainasaspiritofbondagetoputthesoulintohisfirstfear;towit,afearofeternaldamnation,becausehecannotsayandunsay,doandundo.Asaspiritofadoptionhetoldmethatmysinswereforgivenme,thatIwasincluded in the covenant of grace, that God was my Father throughChrist,thatIwasunderthepromiseofsalvation,andthatthiscallingandgift of God to me is permanent, and without repentance. And do youthink,thatafterhehathtoldmethis,andsealedupthetruthofittomyprecioussoul, thathewill come tome,and tellme that Iamyet inmysins,underthecurseofthelawandtheeternalwrathofGod?No,no,thewordofthegospelisnotyea,yea;nay,nay.Itisonlyyea,andamen;itisso,"asGodistrue"(2Cor1:17-20).

3.Thestate thereforeof thesinnerbeingchanged,andthat, too,bytheSpirit's changing his dispensation, leaving off to be now as a spirit ofbondage to put us in fear, and coming to our heart as the spirit ofadoption tomakeus cry, Father, Father, he cannot go back to his firstwork again; for if so, then he must gratify, yea, and also ratify, thatprofane and popish doctrine, forgiven to-day, unforgiven to-morrow—achild of God to-day, a child of hell to-morrow; but what saith theScriptures?"Nowthereforeyearenomorestrangersandforeigners,butfellow-citizenswiththesaints,andofthehouseholdofGod;andarebuiltupon the foundationof the apostles andprophets, JesusChristhimselfbeing the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framedtogethergrowethuntoanholy temple in theLord; inwhomyealsoarebuildedtogetherforanhabitationofGodthroughtheSpirit"(Eph2:19-22).

Object.Butthisiscontrarytomyexperience.Why,Christian,whatisthyexperience?Why,Iwasatfirst,asyouhavesaid,possessedwithafearofdamnation,andsounder thepowerof the spiritofbondage.Well said,andhowwasitthen?Why,aftersometimeofcontinuanceinthesefears,I had the spirit of adoption sent to me to seal up to my soul theforgivenessofsins,andsohedid;andwasalsohelpedbythesameSpirit,as you have said, to call God Father, Father.Well said, andwhat afterthat?Why,afterthatIfellintoasgreatfearsaseverIwasinbefore.[12]

Answ.Allthismaybegranted,andyetneverthelesswhatIhavesaidwill

abideatruth;forIhavenotsaidthatafterthespiritofadoptioniscome,a Christian shall not again be in as great fears, for hemay haveworsethanhehadatfirst;butIsay,thatafterthespiritofadoptioniscome,thespiritofbondage,as such, is sentofGodnomore, toputus into thosefears.For,mark,forwe"havenotreceivedthespiritofbondageagaintofear." Let the word be true, whatever thy experience is. Dost thou notunderstandme?

AftertheSpiritofGodhastoldme,andalsohelpedmetobelieveit,thattheLord forChrist's sake hath forgivenmine iniquities: he tellsmenomorethattheyarenotforgiven.AftertheSpiritofGodhashelpedme,byChrist, to callGodmyFather,he tellsmenomore that thedevil ismyfather. After he hath told me that I am not under the law, but undergrace,hetellsmenomorethatIamnotundergrace,butunderthelaw,andboundoverbyit,formysins,tothewrathandjudgmentofGod;butthisisthefearthattheSpirit,asaspiritofbondage,workethinthesoulatfirst.

Quest.Canyougiveme furtherreasonyet toconvictmeof the truthofwhatyousay?

Answ.Yes.

1. Because as the Spirit cannot give himself the lie, so he cannotoverthrowhis own order of working, nor yet contradict that testimonythathis servants, byhis inspiration,hath givenofhis order ofworkingwiththem.Buthemustdothe first, ifhesaithtous—andthatafterwehavereceivedhisowntestimony,thatweareundergrace—thatyetweareundersin,thelaw,andwrath.

Andhemustdothesecond,if—afterhehathgonethroughthefirstworkon us as a spirit of bondage, to the second as a spirit of adoption—heshouldoverthrowasaspiritofbondageagainwhatbeforehehadbuiltasaspiritofadoption.

And the thirdmust thereforeneeds follow, that is,heoverthroweth thetestimony of his servants; for they have said, that now we receive thespiritofbondageagaintofearnomore;thatis,afterthatwebytheHoly

GhostareenabledtocallGodFather,Father.

2. This is evident also, because the covenant in which now the soul isinterested abideth, and is everlasting, not upon the supposition of myobedience,butupontheunchangeablepurposeofGod,andtheefficacyoftheobedienceofChrist,whosebloodalsohathconfirmedit.Itis"orderedinallthings,andsure,"saidDavid;andthis,saidhe,"isallmysalvation"(2Sam23:5).Thecovenanttheniseverlastinginitself,beingestablisheduponsogoodafoundation,andthereforestandethinitselfeverlastinglybent for thegoodof them that are involved in it.Hear the tenorof thecovenant,andGod'sattestingofthetruththereof—"Thisis thecovenantthatIwillmakewiththehouseofIsrael,afterthosedays,saiththeLord;Iwillputmylawsintotheirmind,andwritethemintheirhearts;andIwillbetothemaGod,andtheyshallbetomeapeople;andtheyshallnotteacheverymanhisneighbour,andeverymanhisbrother,saying,KnowtheLord;forallshallknowme,fromtheleasttothegreatest;forIwillbemercifultotheirunrighteousness,andtheirsinsandtheiriniquitiesIwillremembernomore" (Heb8:10-12).Now ifGodwilldo thusunto thosethathehathcomprisedinhiseverlastingcovenantofgrace,thenhewillremembertheirsinsnomore,thatis,untocondemnation—forsoitisthathedothforgetthem;thencannottheHolyGhost,whoalsoisonewiththeFatherandtheSon,cometousagain,evenafterwearepossessedwiththesegloriousfruitsofthiscovenant,asaspiritofbondage,toputusinfearofdamnation.

3.TheSpiritofGod,afterithascometomeasaspiritofadoption,cancometomenomoreasaspiritofbondage,toputmeinfear,thatis,withmy first fears; because, by that faith that he, even he himself, hathwrought inme, tobelieveandcallGod"Father,Father," IamunitedtoChrist, and stand no more uponmine own legs, in mine own sins, orperformances; but in his glorious righteousness beforehim, andbeforehisFather;buthewillnotcastawayamemberofhisbody,ofhis flesh,and of his bones; nor will he, that the Spirit of God should come as aspirit of bondage to put him into a grounded fear of damnation, thatstandethcompletebeforeGod in the righteousnessofChrist; for that isanapparentcontradiction.[13]

Quest.Butmayitnotcomeagainasaspiritofbondage, toputmeinto

myfirstfearsformygood?

Answ.Thetextsaiththecontrary;forwe"havenotreceivedthespiritofbondageagain to fear."Nor isGodput to it forwantofwisdom, to sayandunsay,doandundo,orelsehecannotdogood.Whenwearesons,andhavereceivedtheadoptionofchildren,hedothnotuse tosendthespiritafterthattotellusweareslavesandheirsofdamnation,alsothatwearewithoutChrist,without thepromise,withoutgrace, andwithoutGodintheworld;andyetthishemustdoifitcomestousafterwehavereceivedhimasaspiritofadoption,andputus,asaspiritofbondage,infearasbefore.

[Thisungodlyfearwroughtbythespiritofthedevil.]

Quest. But bywhat spirit is it then that I ambrought again into fears,evenintothefearsofdamnation,andsointobondage?

Answ.Bythespiritofthedevil,whoalwayslabourstofrustratethefaith,andhope,andcomfortofthegodly.

Quest.Howdoththatappear?

Answ.1.Bythegroundlessnessofsuchfears.2.Bytheunseasonablenessofthem.3.Bytheeffectsofthem.

1. By the groundlessness of such fears. The ground is removed; for agrounded fear of damnation is this—I am yet inmy sins, in a state ofnature,underthelaw,withoutfaith,andsounderthewrathofGod.This,Isay, is thegroundofthefearofdamnation,the truegroundto fear it;butnowthemanthatwearetalkingof,isonethathaththegroundofthisfeartakenawaybythetestimonyandsealofthespiritofadoption.Heiscalled,justified,andhas,forthetruthofthishiscondition,receivedtheevidenceofthespiritofadoption,andhathbeentherebyenabledtocallGod"Father,Father."Nowhethathathreceivedthis,hasthegroundofthe fear of damnation taken from him; therefore his fear, I say, beingwithoutground,isfalse,andsonoworkoftheSpiritofGod.

2.Bytheunseasonablenessofthem.Thisspiritalwayscomestoolate.It

comesafterthespiritofadoptioniscome.Satanisalwaysforbeingtoosoonortoolate.Ifhewouldhavemenbelievetheyarechildren,hewouldhavethembelieveitwhiletheyareslaves,slavestohimandtheirlusts.Ifhewouldhavethembelievetheyareslaves,itiswhentheyaresons,andhavereceivedthespiritofadoption,andthetestimony,bythat,of theirsonshipbefore.Andthisevil is rootedeven inhisnature—"He is a liar,andthefatherof it" ;andhis liesarenotknowntosaintsmore than inthis,thathelaboursalwaystocontradicttheworkandorderoftheSpiritoftruth(John8).

3.Italsoappearsbytheeffectsofsuchfears.Forthereisagreatdealofdifference betwixt the natural effects of these fears which are wroughtindeedbythespiritofbondage,andthosewhicharewroughtbythespiritofthedevilafterwards.Theone,towit,thefearsthatarewroughtbythespirit of bondage, causeth us to confess the truth, to wit, that we areChristless, graceless, faithless, and so at present; that is,while he is soworkinginasinfulanddamnablecase;buttheother,towit,thespiritofthedevil,whenhecomes,whichisafterthespiritofadoptioniscome,hecausethustomakea lie;that is, tosayweareChristless,graceless,andfaithless.Nowthis,Isay, iswholly,andinallpartof it,a lie,andHEisthefatherofit.

Besides,thedirecttendencyofthefearthattheSpiritofGod,asaspiritofbondage,worketh inthesoul, is tocauseus tocomerepentinghometoGodbyJesusChrist,buttheselatterfearstenddirectlytomakeaman,hehavingfirstdeniedtheworkofGod,ashewill,ifhefallethinwiththem,torunquiteawayfromGod,andfromhisgracetohiminChrist,aswillevidently appear if thou givest but a plain and honest answer to thesequestionsfollowing.

[ThisfeardrivethamanfromGod.]

Quest.1.Donotthesefearsmaketheequestionwhethertherewaseveraworkofgracewroughtinthysoul?Answ.Yes,verily,thattheydo.Quest.2.DonotthesefearsmaketheequestionwhethereverthyfirstfearswerewroughtbytheHolySpiritofGod?Answ.Yes,verily,thattheydo.Quest.3. Do not these fearsmake thee question whether ever thou hast had,indeed, any true comfort from theWordandSpirit ofGod?Answ.Yes,

verily, that theydo.Quest. 4.Dost thounot find intermixedwith thesefearsplainassertionsthat thy firstcomfortswereeither fromthy fancy,orfromthedevil,andafruitofhisdelusions?Answ.Yes,verily,thatIdo.Quest.5.Donotthesefearsweakenthyheartinprayer?Answ.Yes,thattheydo.Quest.6.DonotthesefearskeeptheebackfromlayingholdofthepromiseofsalvationbyJesusChrist?Answ.Yes;forIthinkifIweredeceivedbefore, if Iwere comfortedby a spirit of delusionbefore,whymayitnotbesoagain?soIamafraidtotakeholdofthepromise.Quest.7. Do not these fears tend to the hardening of thy heart, and to themakingof theedesperate?Answ.Yes, verily, that theydo.Quest.8.Donot these fears hinder thee from profiting in hearing or reading of theWord?Answ.Yes,verily,forstillwhateverIhearorread,Ithinknothingthat is good belongs to me. Quest. 9. Do not these fears tend to thestirring up of blasphemies in thy heart against God? Answ. Yes, to thealmost distracting of me. Quest. 10. Do not these fears make theesometimes think, that it is in vain for thee to wait upon the Lord anylonger? Answ. Yes, verily; and I havemany times almost come to thisconclusion,thatIwillread,pray,hear,companywithGod'speople,orthelike,nolonger.

Well, poorChristian, I amglad that thouhast soplainly answeredme;but, prithee, look back upon thy answer. Howmuch of God dost thouthink is in these things? howmuch of his Spirit, and the grace of hisWord?Justnoneatall;foritcannotbethatthesethingscanbethetrueandnaturaleffectsoftheworkingsoftheSpiritofGod:no,notasaspiritofbondage.Thesearenothisdoings.Dostthounotseetheverypawofthedevil in them;yea, ineveryoneof thy tenconfessions? Is therenotpalpably high wickedness in every one of the effects of this fear? Iconclude,then,asIbegan,thatthefearthatthespiritofGod,asaspiritofbondage,worketh, isgoodandgodly,notonlybecauseof theauthor,butalsobecauseofthegroundandeffects;butyetitcanlastnolongerassuch, as producing the aforesaid conclusion, than till the Spirit, as thespiritofadoption,comes;becausethatthenthesoulismanifestlytakenoutofthestateandconditionintowhichithadbrought itselfbynatureand sin, and is put into Christ, and so by him into a state of life andblessedness by grace. Therefore, if first fears come again into thy soul,afterthatthespiritofadoptionhathbeenwiththee,knowtheycomenot

fromtheSpiritofGod,butapparentlyfromthespiritofthedevil,fortheyarealieinthemselves,andtheireffectsaresinfulanddevilish.

Object.But Ihadalsosuchwickednessas those inmyheartatmy firstawakening,andtherefore,byyourargument,neithershouldthatbebutfromthedevil.

Answ. So far forth as suchwickednesswas in thy heart, so far did thedevilandthineownheartseektodrivetheetodespair,anddrowntheethere;butthouhastforgotthequestion;thequestionisnotwhetherthenthou wast troubled with such iniquities, but whether thy fears ofdamnationatthattimewerenot justandgood,becausegroundeduponthypresentcondition,whichwas,forthatthouwastoutofChrist,inthysins,andunderthecurseofthelaw;andwhethernow,sincethespiritofadoptioniscomeuntothee,andhaththee,andhathdonethatfortheeashath been mentioned; I say, whether thou oughtest for anythingwhatsoever to give way to the same fear, from the same ground ofdamnation;itisevidentthououghtestnot,becausetheground,thecause,isremoved.

Object.ButsinceIwassealedtothedayofredemption,IhavegrievouslysinnedagainstGod,havenot I, therefore, cause to fear,asbefore?maynot,therefore,thespiritofbondagebesentagaintoputmeinfear,asatfirst?Sinwasthefirstcause,andIhavesinnednow.

Answ.No,bynomeans; forwehavenot received the spiritofbondageagaintofear;thatis,Godhathnotgivenitus,"forGodhathnotgivenusthespiritoffear;butofpower,andoflove,andofasoundmind"(2Tim1:7).If,therefore,ourfirst fearscomeuponusagain,afterthatwehavereceivedatGod'shandsthespiritoflove,ofpower,andofasoundmind,it is to be refused, thoughwe have grievously sinned against our God.This ismanifest from 1 Samuel 12:20; "Fear not; ye have done all thiswickedness."Thatis,notwiththatfearwhichwouldhavemadethemflyfrom God, as concluding that they were not now his people. And thereasonis,becausesincannotdissolvethecovenantintowhichthesonsofGod,byhisgrace,aretaken."Ifhischildrenforsakemylaw,andwalknotin my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not mycommandments; thenwill I visit their transgressionswith the rod, and

their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless, my loving-kindness will I notutterlytakefromhim,norsuffermyfaithfulnesstofail"(Psa89:30-33).Now,ifsindothnotdissolvethecovenant;ifsindothnotcastmeoutofthiscovenant,whichismadepersonallywiththeSonofGod,andintothehandsofwhichbythegraceofGodIamput,thenoughtInot,thoughIhavesinned,tofearwithmyfirstfears.

Sin,afterthatthespiritofadoptioniscome,cannotdissolvetherelationofFatherand son, of Father and child.And this the church did rightlyassert,andthatwhenherheartwasundergreathardness,andwhenshehadtheguiltoferringfromhisways,saithshe."DoubtlessthouartourFather" (Isa63:16,17).Doubtless thouart, though thisbeour case, andthoughIsraelshouldnotacknowledgeusforsuch.

Thatsindissolvethnot therelationofFatherandson is furtherevident—"Whenthefulnessofthetimewascome,GodsentforthhisSon,madeof awoman,madeunder the law, to redeem them thatwereunder thelaw,thatwemightreceivetheadoptionofsons.Andbecauseyearesons,GodhathsentforththeSpiritofhisSonintoyourhearts,crying,[Abba,or]Father,Father."Nowmark,"whereforethouartnomoreaservant";thatis,nomoreunderthelawofdeathanddamnation,"butason;andifason,thenanheirofGodthroughChrist"(Gal4:4-7).

Supposeachilddothgrievouslytransgressagainstandoffendhisfather,is the relation between them therefore dissolved? Again, suppose thefathershouldscourgeandchastenthesonforsuchoffence,istherelationbetween them therefore dissolved? Yea, suppose the child should now,throughignorance,cry,andsay,Thismanisnownomoremyfather; ishe,therefore,nownomorehisfather?Dothnoteverybodyseethefollyofsucharguings?Why,of thesamenature is thatdoctrine thatsaith, thatafterwehavereceivedthespiritofadoption,thatthespiritofbondageissenttousagaintoputusinfearofeternaldamnation.

Knowthenthatthysin,afterthouhastreceivedthespiritofadoptiontocryuntoGod,Father,Father,iscountedthetransgressionofachild,notofaslave,andthatallthathappenethtotheeforthattransgressionisbutthe chastisement of a father—and "what son is he whom the fatherchastenethnot?"Itisworthyourobservation,thattheHolyGhostchecks

those who, under their chastisements for sin, forget to call God theirFather—"Yehave,"saidPaul,"forgottentheexhortationwhichspeakethuntoyouasuntochildren,Myson,despisenotthouthechasteningoftheLord,norfaintwhenthouartrebukedofhim."Yea,observeyet further,thatGod'schastisingofhischildrenfortheirsin,isaasignofgraceandlove,andnotofhiswrath,andthydamnation;thereforenowthereisnogroundfortheaforesaidfear—"ForwhomtheLordlovethhechasteneth,andscourgetheverysonwhomhereceiveth"(Heb12).Now,ifGodwouldnot have those that have received the Spirit of the Son, however hechastises them, to forget the relation that by the adoption of sons theystandintoGod,ifhechecksthemthatdoforgetit,whenhisrodisupontheirbacksforsin,thenitisevidentthatthosefearsthatthouhastunderacolourof thecomingagainof theSpirit,asaspiritofbondage, toputtheeinfearofeternaldamnation,isnothingelsebutSatandisguised,thebettertoplayhispranksuponthee.

Iwillyetgiveyoutwoorthreeinstancesmore,whereinitwillbemanifestthatwhateverhappenethtothee,Imeanasachastisementforsin,afterthe spirit of adoption is come, thou oughtest to hold fast by faith therelation of Father and son. The people spoken of byMoses are said tohave lightly esteemed the rock of their salvation, which rock is JesusChrist, and that is a grievous sin indeed, yet, saith he, "Is notGod thyFatherthathathboughtthee?"andthenputsthemuponconsideringthedays of old (Deut 32:6). They in the prophet Jeremiah had played theharlot with many lovers, and done evil things as they could; and, asanotherscripturehathit,gonea-whoringfromundertheirGod,yetGodcalls to themby the prophet, saying, "Wilt thou not from this time cryunto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth?" (Jer 3:4).Remember also that eminent textmademention of in 1 Samuel 12:20,"Fearnot;yehavedoneallthiswickedness";andlabourtomaintainfaithinthysoul,ofthybeingachild,itbeingtruethatthouhastreceivedthespiritofadoptionbefore,andsothatthououghtestnottofallunderthyfirstfears,becausethegroundistakenaway,ofthyeternaldamnation.

Now, let not any, fromwhat hath been said, take courage to live looselives,underasuppositionthatonceinChrist,andeverinChrist,andthecovenant cannot be broken, nor the relation of Father and child

dissolved;fortheythatdoso,it isevident,havenotknownwhatitistoreceive thespiritofadoption.It is thespiritof thedevil inhisownhuethat suggesteth thisunto them,and thatprevailethwith them todo so.Shall we do evil that good may come? shall we sin that grace mayabound?orshallwebebaseinlifebecauseGodbygracehathsecuredusfromwrathtocome?Godforbid;theseconclusionsbetokenonevoidofthefearofGodindeed,andofthespiritofadoptiontoo.Forwhatsonishe,thatbecausethefathercannotbreaktherelation,norsuffersintodoit—thatis,betwixttheFatherandhim—thatwillthereforesay,Iwilllivealtogetheraftermyownlusts,Iwill labourtobeacontinualgrief tomyFather?

[Considerationstopreventsuchtemptations.]

Yetlestthedevil(forsomeare"notignorantofhisdevices"),shouldgetanadvantageagainstsomeofthesons,todrawthemawayfromthefilialfear of their Father, let me here, to prevent such temptations, presentsuchwiththesefollowingconsiderations.

First.ThoughGodcannot,willnot,dissolvetherelationwhichthespiritofadoptionhathmadebetwixttheFatherandtheSon,foranysinsthatsuch do commit, yet he can, and often doth, take away from them thecomfortoftheiradoption,notsufferingchildrenwhilesinningtohavethesweetandcomfortablesense thereofontheirhearts.Hecan tellhowtolet snaresbe roundabout them, and sudden fear trouble them.He cantellhowtosenddarknessthattheymaynotsee,andtoletabundanceofwaterscoverthem(Job22:10,11).

Second. God can tell how to hide his face from them, and so to afflictthemwith thatdispensation, that it shallnotbe in thepowerof all theworldtocomfortthem. "Whenhehidethhis face,who thencanbeholdhim?"(Job23:8,9,34:29).

Third.God can tell how tomake thee again to possess the sins that helongsincehathpardoned,andthatinsuchwisethatthingsshallbebittertothysoul."Thouwritestbitterthingsagainstme,"saysJob,"andmakestme to possess the iniquities of my youth." By this also he once madeDavidgroanandprayagainstitasaninsupportableaffliction(Job13:26;

Psa25:7).

Fourth.Godcanlaytheeinthedungeoninchains,androllastoneuponthee,hecanmakethyfeetfastinthestocks,andmaketheeagazing-stocktomenandangels(Lam3:7,53,55;Job13:27;Nahum3:6).

Fifth.Godcantellhowtocausetoceasethesweetoperationsandblessedinfluencesofhisgraceinthysoul,andtomakethosegospelshowersthatformerly thouhast enjoyed to becomenow to theenothingbut powderanddust(Psa51;Deut28:24).

Sixth. God can tell how to fight against thee "with the sword of hismouth,"andtomaketheeabuttforhisarrows;andthisisadispensationmostdreadful(Rev2:16;Job6:4;Psa38:2-5).

Seventh.God can tell how so to bow thee downwith guilt anddistressthatthoushaltinnowisebeabletoliftupthyhead(Psa40:12).

Eighth.Godcantellhowtobreakthybones,andtomaketheebyreasonofthatto live incontinualanguishofspirit:yea,hecansendafire intothybonesthatshallburn,andnoneshallquench it (Psa51:8;Lam3:4,1:13;Psa102:3;Job30:30).

Ninth.Godcantellhowtolaytheeaside,andmakenouseoftheeastoanyworkforhiminthygeneration.Hecanthrowtheeaside"asabrokenvessel"(Psa31:12;Eze44:10-13).

Tenth.Godcantellhowtokillthee,andtotaketheeawayfromtheearthforthysins(1Cor11:29-32).

Eleventh. God can tell how to plague thee in thy death, with greatplagues,andoflongcontinuance(Psa78:45;Deut28).

Twelfth.WhatshallIsay?GodcantellhowtoletSatanlooseuponthee;whenthouliestadyinghecanlicensehimthentoassaulttheewithgreattemptations, he can tell how to make thee possess the guilt of all thyunkindnesstowardshim,andthatwhenthou,asIsaid,artgoingoutoftheworld, he can cause that thy life shall be in continual doubt beforethee,andnotsuffertheetotakeanycomfortdaynornight;yea,hecan

drivetheeeventoamadnesswithhischastisementsforthyfolly,andyetall shall be done by him to thee, as a father chastiseth his son (Deut28:65-67).

Thirteenth. Further, God can tell how to tumble thee from off thydeathbedinacloud,hecanlettheedieinthedark;whenthouartdyingthoushaltnotknowwhitherthouartgoing,towit,whethertoheavenortohell.Yea,hecantellhowtolettheeseemtocomeshortoflife,bothinthine own eyes, and also in the eyes of them that behold thee. "Let usthereforefear,"saystheapostle,—thoughnotwithslavish,yetwithfilialfear—"lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of youshouldseemtocomeshortofit"(Heb4:1).

Nowallthis,andmuchmore,canGoddotohisasaFatherbyhisrodandfatherly rebukes; ah, who know but those that are under them, whatterrors,fears,distresses,andamazementsGodcanbringhispeopleinto;he canput them into a furnace, a fire, andno tongue can tellwhat, sounsearchable and fearful are his fatherly chastisements, and yet nevergivethemthespiritofbondageagaintofear.Therefore,ifthouartason,takeheedofsin,lestallthesethingsovertakethee,andcomeuponthee.

Object.But I have sinned, andamunder thishigh andmightyhandofGod.

Answ. Then thou knowest what I say is true, but yet take heed ofhearkeningunto such temptations aswouldmake theebelieve thou artoutofChrist,underthelaw,andinastateofdamnation;andtakeheedalso, that thou dost not conclude that the author of these fears is theSpiritofGodcometotheeagainasaspiritofbondage, toputthee intosuch fears, lest unawares to thyself thou dost defy the devil, dishonourthy Father, overthrow good doctrine, and bring thyself into a doubletemptation.

Object.ButifGoddealsthuswithaman,howcanheotherwisethinkbutthatheisareprobate,agraceless,Christless,andfaithlessone?

Answ.Nay,butwhydost thou tempt theLord thyGod?Whydost thousinandprovoketheeyesofhisglory?Why"dothalivingmancomplain,a

manforthepunishmentofhissins?"(Lam3:39).Hedothnotwillinglyafflict nor grieve the children ofmen; but if thou sinnest, though Godshouldsavethysoul,ashewillifthouartanadoptedsonofGod,yethewillmaketheeknowthatsinissin,andhisrodthathewillchastisetheewith, ifneedbe,shallbemadeofscorpions;readthewholebookof theLamentations; read Job's and David's complaints; yea, read whathappenedtohisSon,hiswell-beloved,andthatwhenhedidbutstandinthe room of sinners, being in himself altogether innocent, and thenconsider,OthousinningchildofGod,ifitisanyinjusticeinGod,yea,ifitbenotnecessary,thatthoushouldestbechastisedforthysin.Butthen,Isay,whenthehandofGodisuponthee,howgrievoussoeveritbe,takeheed,andbewarethatthougivenotwaytothyfirstfears, lest,asIsaidbefore,thouaddesttothineaffliction;andtohelptheehere,letmegiveyouafewinstancesofthecarriagesofsomeofthesaintsundersomeofthemostheavyafflictionsthattheyhavemetwithforsin.

[Carriagesofsomeofthesaintsunderheavyafflictionsforsin.]

First. Job was in great affliction and that, as he confessed, for sin,insomuchthathesaidGodhadsethimforhismarktoshootat,andthatheranuponhimlikeagiant,thathetookhimbytheneckandshookhimtopieces,andcountedhimforhisenemy;thathehidhisfacefromhim,andthathecouldnottellwheretofindhim;yethecountednotallthisasa sign of a damnable state, but as a trial, and chastisement, and said,whenhewas inthehottestof thebattle,"whenhehathtriedmeIshallcomeforthasgold."Andagain,whenhewaspresseduponbythetempterto think thatGodwould kill him, he answerswith greatest confidence,"Thoughhe slayme, yetwill I trust inhim" (Job7:20, 13:15, 14:12, 16,19:11,23:8-10).

Second.DavidcomplainedthatGodhadbrokenhisbones,thathehadsethisfaceagainsthissins,andhadtakenfromhimthejoyofhissalvation:yet even at this time he saith, "OGod, thouGod ofmy salvation" (Psa51:8,9,12,14).

Third.Hemancomplainedthathissoulwasfulloftroubles,thatGodhadlaidhiminthelowestpit,thathehadputhisacquaintancefarfromhim,andwascastingoffhissoul,andhadhidhisfacefromhim.Thathewas

afflicted from his youth up, and ready to die with trouble: he saith,moreover,thatthefiercewrathofGodwentoverhim,thathisterrorshadcuthimoff;yea,thatbyreasonofthemhewasdistracted;andyet,evenbeforehemakethanyof these complaints,he takes fastholdofGodashis,saying,"OLordGodofmysalvation"(Psa88).

Fourth. The church in the Lamentations complains that the Lord hadafflictedherforhertransgressions,andthatinthedayofhisfierceanger;also that he had trodden under foot hermightymen, and that he hadcalledtheheathenagainsther;shesays, thathehadcoveredherwithacloudinhisanger,thathewasanenemy,andthathehadhungachainuponher; sheadds,moreover, thathehad shutoutherprayer, brokenher teeth with gravel stones, and covered her with ashes, and inconclusion,thathehadutterlyrejectedher.Butwhatdothshedounderallthistrial?dothshegiveupherfaithandhope,andreturntothatfearthatbegotthefirstbondage?No:"TheLordismyportion,saithmysoul,thereforewillIhopeinhim";yea,sheadds,"OLord,thouhastpleadedthe causes of my soul, thou hast redeemed my life" (Lam 1:5, 2:1,2,5,3:7,8,16,5:22,3:24,31,58).

These things show, thatGod's people even after theyhave received thespirit of adoption, have fell foully into sin, and have been bitterlychastisedforit;andalso,thatwhentherodwasmostsmartuponthem,theymade great conscience of givingway to their first fearswherewiththeyweremadeafraidbytheSpiritasitwroughtasaspiritofbondage;forindeedthereisnosuchthingasthecomingofthespiritofbondagetoputus in fear the second time, as such, that is, afterhe is comeas thespiritofadoptiontothesoul.

Iconcludethen,thatthatfearthatiswroughtbythespiritofbondageisgoodandgodly,becausethegroundforitissound;andIalsoconclude,thathecomestothesoulasaspiritofbondagebutonce,andthatonceisbefore he comes as a spirit of adoption: and if therefore the same feardothagain takeholdof thyheart, that is, ifafter thouhastreceivedthespiritofadoptionthoufearestagainthedamnationofthysoul,thatthouartoutofChristandunderthelaw,thatfearisbadandofthedevil,andoughtbynomeanstobeadmittedbythee.

[Howthedevilworkeththesefears.]

1.Quest.Butsinceitisasyousay,howdoththedevil,afterthespiritofadoptioniscome,workthechildofGodintothosefearsofbeingoutofChrist,notforgiven,andsoanheirofdamnationagain?

Answ.1.Bygivingthelie,andbyprevailingwithustogiveittoo,tothework of gracewrought in our hearts, and to the testimony of theHolySpiritofadoption.Or,2.Byabusingofour ignoranceof theeverlastingloveofGodtohisinChrist,andthedurationofthecovenantofgrace.Or,3.Byabusingsomescripturethatseemsto lookthatway,butdothnot.Or,4.Byabusingoursensesandreason.Or,5.Bystrengtheningofourunbelief.Or,6.Byovershadowingofourjudgmentwithhorriddarkness.Or,7.BygivingofuscounterfeitrepresentationsofGod.Or,8.Bystirringup,andsettinginarage,ourinwardcorruptions.Or,9.Bypouringintoourheartsabundanceofhorridblasphemies.Or,10.Byputtingofwrongconstructionsontherod,andchastisinghandofGod.Or,11.Bychargingupon us, that our ill behaviours under the rod, and chastising hand ofGod,isasignthatweindeedhavenograce,butaredownrightgracelessreprobates. By these things and other like these, Satan, I say, Satanbringeth the child of God, not only to the borders, but even into thebowels of the fears of damnation, after it hath received a blessedtestimonyofeternallife,andthatbytheHolySpiritofadoption.

[ThepeopleofGodshouldfearhisrod.]

Quest.ButwouldyounothavethepeopleofGodstandinfearofhisrod,andbeafraidofhisjudgments?

Answ.Yes,andthemoretheyarerightlyafraidofthem,thelessandtheseldomerwilltheycomeunderthem;foritiswantoffearthatbringsusintosin,anditissinthatbringsusintotheseafflictions.ButIwouldnothave them fear with the fear of slaves; for that will add no strengthagainstsin;butIwouldhavethemfearwiththereverentialfearofsons,andthatisthewaytodepartfromevil.

Quest.Howisthat?

Answ.Why,havingbeforereceivedthespiritofadoption;stilltobelievethatheisourfather,andsotofearwiththefearofchildren,notasslavesfearatyrant.Iwouldthereforehavethemtolookuponhisrod,rebukes,chidings,andchastisements,andalsouponthewrathwherewithhedothinflict, to be but the dispensations of their Father. This believed,maintains,orat leasthelps tomaintain, in theheart,a son-likebowingundertherod.Italsomaintains inthesoulason-likeconfessionofsin,andajustifyingofGodunderalltherebukesthathegrievethuswith.Italsoengagethustocometohim,toclaimandlayholdofformermercies,toexpectmore,andtohopeagoodendshallbemadeofallGod'spresentdispensationstowardsus(Micah7:9;Lam1:18;Psa77:10-12;Lam3:31-34).[14]

Now God would have us thus fear his rod, because he is resolved tochastise us therewith, if so be we sin against him, as I have alreadyshowed; for although God's bowels turn within him, even while he isthreateninghispeople,yetifwesin,hewilllayontherodsohardastomake us cry, "Woe unto us that we have sinned" (Lam 5:16); andtherefore,asIsaid,weshouldbeafraidofhisjudgments,yetonlyasaforeisprovidedasoftherod,wrath,andjudgmentofaFather.

[Fiveconsiderationstomovetochild-likefear.]

Quest.ButhaveyouyetanyotherconsiderationstomoveustofearGodwithchild-likefear?

Answ.Iwillinthisplacegiveyoufive.1.ConsiderthatGodthinksmeettohave it so, andhe iswiser inheart than thou;heknowsbesthow tosecure his people from sin, and to that end hath given them law andcommandmentstoread,thattheymaylearntofearhimasaFather(Job37:24;Eccl3:14;Deut17:18,19).2.Considerheismightyinpower;ifhetouchbutwithafatherlytouch,mannorangelcannotbearit;yea,Christmakesuseofthatargument,he"hathpowertocastintohell;Fearhim"(Luke12:4,5).3.Considerthatheiseverywhere;thoucanstnotbeoutofhissightorpresence;noroutofthereachofhishand."Fearyenotme?saiththeLord.""CananyhidehimselfinsecretplacesthatIshallnotseehim?saiththeLord.DonotIfillheavenandearth?saiththeLord"(Jer5:22,23:24).4.Considerthatheisholy,andcannotlookwithlikingupon

the sins of his own people. Therefore, says Peter, be "as obedientchildren,notfashioningyourselvesaccordingtotheformerlustsinyourignorance, but ashewhich hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in allmannerofconversation,becauseit iswritten,Beyeholy, forIamholy.And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgethaccordingtoeveryman'swork,passthetimeofyoursojourninghere infear."5.Considerthatheisgood,andhasbeengoodtothee,goodinthathehathsingledtheeoutfromothers,andsavedtheefromtheirdeathandhell, though thouperhapswastworse in thy life than those thathe leftwhenhelaidholdonthee.OthisshouldengagethyhearttofeartheLordallthedaysofthylife.They"shallfeartheLord,andhisgoodnessinthelatterdays"(Hosea3:5).Andnowforthepresent,Ihavedonewiththatfear, I mean as to its first workings, to wit, to put me in fear ofdamnation,andshallcome,inthenextplace,totreat

Footnotes

8.The fearof thewickedarises fromacorrupt, sinful, self-condemningconscience;theyfearGodasanangryjudge,andthereforeconsiderhimastheirenemy.Astheyloveandwillnotpartwiththeirsins,sotheyareincontinualdreadofpunishment.—Mason.[8]

9. "To-elbow all his days in his lord's vineyard" ; to sit or stand idlyresting upon his elbows, instead of labouring in the vineyard. "Asovereignshamesoelbowshim."—KingLear,Activ,Scene3.—Ed.[9]

10."Gear";apparel,furniture,implements."Theapostleswerenotfixedin their residence, but were ready in their gears tomove whither theywerecalled."—Barrow.—Ed.[10]

11.Goddoesnotlimithimselfastohismodeofcallingpoorsinners.Thethreethousandheconvincedatonehour,andtheyimmediatelymadeaprofession,butBunyanwasforyears inastateofalarminguncertainty;somearedrivenbyfieryterrors,othersbyastillsmallvoice.Reader,ouranxiousinquiryshouldbe,HaveweenteredinbyChristthegate?Areourfruitsmeet forrepentance?Letnoonevauntofhisexperience, because

hegowellbedaubedwiththedirtoftheslough.Everysoulthatentersthegateisequallyamiracleofgrace.—Ed.[11]

12.ThisisremarkablyinstancedinBunyan'sGraceAbounding.—Ed.[12]

13.Thosewhoareadoptedintothefamilyofheavenare"justifiedfromallthings";beingdeliveredfromsin,thecurse,andwrath,"thereisnownocondemnation for them" ; and trusting to Jesus' precious blood ofpardon, to his righteousness for acceptance, and to his grace forsanctification, they are, by the indwelling of the Spirit which adoptedthem,possessedofthatlovewhichcastethoutfear,andrejoicethinhopeofthegloryofGod.Andtothosewho,throughtheirmanifoldinfirmitiesanddepartures,areoftenbesetwithunbelievingfears,theLordsays,fortheirencouragement,"Fearthounot,forIamwiththee;Iwillhelpthee;yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isa41:10).—Mason.[13]

14.Effectualgraceinthesoulisaccompaniedbydoubtsandfears,owingtotheremainsofindwellingcorruption;hencearisesacontinualwarfare.Believer,howneedfulisitevertoretainyourconfidenceandassuranceofyourLord'slovetoyou!Relyonhisfaithfulness,perseveresteadfastlyinthewayofduty, looking to Jesus, and livinguponhis fulness.—Mason.How does all this reasoning remind us of Bunyan's own experience,recordedinhisGraceAbounding;hewasnotignorantofSatan'sdevices.—Ed.[14]

OFTHEGRACEOFFEARMOREIMMEDIATELYINTENDEDINTHETEXT.

I shallnowspeak to this fear,which I call a lastinggodly fear; first, bywayofexplication;bywhichIshallshow,FIRST.HowbytheScriptureitisdescribed.SECOND. I shall showyouwhat this fear flows from.Andthen,THIRD.Ishallalsoshowyouwhatdothflowfromit.

[HowthisFearisdescribedbytheScripture.]

FIRST. For the first of these, to wit, how by the Scripture this fear isdescribed;andthat,First.Moregenerally.Second.Moreparticularly.

First.Moregenerally.

1. It is called a grace, that is, a sweet andblessedwork of the Spirit ofgrace,ashe isgivento theelectbyGod.Hencetheapostlesays,"letushave grace,wherebywemay serveGod acceptably, with reverence andgodlyfear"(Heb12:28).ForasthatfearthatbringsbondageiswroughtinthesoulbytheSpiritasaspiritofbondage,sothisfear,whichisafearthatwehavewhileweareinthelibertyofsons,iswroughtbyhimashemanifesteth to us our liberty; "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there isliberty," that is,wherehe isasaspiritofadoption,setting thesoul freefromthatbondageunderwhich itwasheldby thesameSpiritwhilehewrought as a spirit of bondage. Hence as he is called a spirit workingbondagetofear,sohe,astheSpiritoftheSonandofadoption,iscalled"theSpiritof the fearof theLord" (Isa11:2).Because it is thatSpiritofgracethatistheauthor,animater,andmaintainerofourfilialfear,orofthatfearthatisson-like,andthatsubjecteththeelectuntoGod,hisword,andways;untohim,hisword,andways,asaFather.

2.ThisfeariscalledalsothefearofGod,notasthatwhichisungodlyis,nor yet as that may be which is wrought by the Spirit as a spirit ofbondage,butbywayofeminency;towit,asadispensationofthegraceofthegospel,andasafruitofeternallove."Iwillputmyfearintheirhearts,thattheyshallnotdepartfromme"(Jer32:38-41).

3. This fear of God is called God's treasure, for it is one of his choicejewels, it is one of the rarities of heaven, "The fear of the Lord is histreasure"(Isa33:6).Anditmaywellgoundersuchatitle;forastreasure,sothefearoftheLordisnotfoundineverycorner.Itissaidallmenhavenotfaith,becausethatalso ismorepreciousthangold;thesameissaidaboutthis fear—"There isnofearofGodbeforetheireyes" ; that is, thegreatestpartofmenareutterlydestituteofthisgodlyjewel,thistreasure,thefearoftheLord.Poorvagrants,whentheycomestragglingtoalord'shouse, may perhaps obtain some scraps and fragments, they may also

obtainoldshoes,andsomesorrycast-offrags,buttheygetnotanyofhisjewels, they may not touch his choicest treasure; that is kept for thechildren,andthosethatshallbehisheirs.Wemaysaythesamealsoofthisblessedgraceof fear,which is calledhereGod's treasure. It isonlybestowedupontheelect,theheirsandchildrenofthepromise;allothersaredestituteofit,andsocontinuetodeathandjudgment.

4.Thisgraceof fear is thatwhichmakethmenexcel andgobeyondallmen,intheaccountofGod;itisthatwhichbeautifiesaman,andprefershim above all other; "Hast thou," says God to Satan, "considered myservant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and anuprightman,one that fearethGod,andeschewethevil?" (Job1:8,2:3).Mindit,"Thereisnonelikehim,nonealikehimintheearth."Isupposehemeanseither[thatJobwastheonlymostperfectanduprightman]inthoseparts,orelsehewasthemanthataboundedinthefearoftheLord;nonelikehimtofeartheLord,heonlyexcelledotherswithrespecttohisreverencingofGod,bowingbeforehim,andsincerelycomplyingwithhiswill;andthereforeiscountedtheexcellentman.ItisnottheknowledgeofthewillofGod,butoursincerecomplyingtherewith,thatprovethwefear the Lord; and it is our so doing that putteth upon us the note ofexcelling; hereby appears our perfection, herein is manifest ouruprightness.Aperfectandanuprightman isone that fearethGod,andthatbecauseheeschewethevil.ThereforethisgraceoffearisthatwithoutwhichnopartorpieceofservicewhichwedotoGod,canbeacceptedofhim.It is,asImaycall it, thesaltof thecovenant,whichseasoneththeheart, and therefore must not be lacking there; it is also that whichsalteth,orseasonethallourdoings,andthereforemustnotbelackinginanyofthem(Lev2:13).

5. I take thisgraceof fear tobe thatwhichsoftenethandmollifieth theheart,andthatmakesitstandinawebothofthemerciesandjudgmentsof God. This is that that retaineth in the heart that due dread, andreverence of the heavenlymajesty, that ismeet should be both in, andkept in theheartofpoorsinners.WhereforewhenDaviddescribed thisfear,intheexerciseofit,hecallsitanaweofGod."Standinawe,"saithhe, "andsinnot" ; andagain, "myheart standeth inaweof thyword" ;andagain,"LetalltheearthfeartheLord";whatisthat?orhowisthat?

why?"Letalltheinhabitantsoftheworldstandinaweofhim"(Psa4:4,119:161,33:8).Thisisthatthereforethatis,asIsaidbefore,soexcellentathingintheeyesofGod,towit,agraceoftheSpirit,thefearofGod,histreasure,thesaltofthecovenant,thatwhichmakesmenexcelallothers;for it is that which maketh the sinner to stand in awe of God, whichpostureisthemostcomelythinginus,throughoutallages.But,

Second.Andmoreparticularly.

1.Thisgraceiscalled"thebeginningofknowledge,"becausebythefirstgracious discovery of God to the soul, this grace is begot: and again,becausethefirst time that thesouldothapprehendGod inChrist tobegooduntoit,thisgraceisanimated,bywhichthesoulisputintoanholyaweofGod,whichcausethitwithreverenceanddueattentiontohearkentohim,andtremblebeforehim(Prov1:7).Itisalsobyvirtueofthisfearthat thesouldoth inquireyetmoreafter theblessedknowledgeofGod.This is themoreevident,because,where this fearofGod iswanting,orwherethediscoveryofGodisnotattendedwithit,theheartstillabidesrebellious,obstinate,andunwilling toknowmore, that itmightcomplytherewith;nay,forwantofit,suchsinnerssayrather,AsforGod,lethim"departfromus,"andfortheAlmighty,"wedesirenottheknowledgeofhisways."

2.Thisfeariscalled"thebeginningofwisdom,"becausethen,andnottillthen, a man begins to be truly spiritually wise; what wisdom is therewherethefearofGodisnot?(Job28:28;Psa111:10).Thereforethefoolsaredescribed thus, "For that theyhated knowledge anddidnot choosethe fear of the Lord" (Prov 1:29). TheWord of God is the fountain ofknowledge,intowhichamanwillnotwithgodlyreverencelook,untilheis endued with the fear of the Lord. Therefore it is rightly called "thebeginningofknowledge;butfoolsdespisewisdomandinstruction"(Prov1:7). It is therefore this fear of theLord thatmakes amanwise for hissoul, for life,and foranotherworld. It is this that teachethhimhowheshould do to escape those spiritual and eternal ruins that the fool isovertakenwith,andswallowedupofforever.AmanvoidofthisfearofGod,whereverheiswise,orinwhateverheexcels,yetaboutthemattersofhissoul,thereisnonemorefoolishthanhimself;forthroughthewantofthefearoftheLord,heleavesthebestthingsatsixesandsevens,and

only pursueth with all his heart those that will leave him in the snarewhenhedies.

3. This fear of theLord is to hate evil. Tohate sin and vanity. Sin andvanity,theyarethesweetmorselsofthefool,andsuchwhichthecarnalappetiteofthefleshrunsafter;anditisonlythevirtuethatisinthefearof the Lord that maketh the sinner have an antipathy against it (Job20:12)."BythefearoftheLordmendepartfromevil"(Prov16:6).Thatis,menshun,separatethemselvesfrom,andeschewitinitsappearances.Whereforeitisplainthatthosethatloveevil,arenotpossessedwiththefearofGod.

Thereisagenerationthatwillpursueevil,thatwilltakeitin,nourishit,layitupintheirhearts,hideit,andpleadforit,andrejoicetodoit.Thesecannot have in them the fear of the Lord, for that is to hate it, and tomakemendepartfromit:wherethefearofGodandsinis,itwillbewiththesoul,asitwaswithIsraelwhenOmriandTibnistrovetoreignamongthemboth at once, one of themmust be put to death, they cannot livetogether (see 1 Kings 16): sin must down, for the fear of the Lordbegettethinthesoulahatredagainstit,anabhorrenceofit,thereforesinmustdie,thatis,astotheaffectionsandlustsofit;forasSolomonsaysinanother case, "where no wood is, the fire goeth out." So we may say,where there is a hatred of sin, andwheremen depart from it, there itloseth much of its power, waxeth feeble, and decayeth. ThereforeSolomonsaithagain,"FeartheLord,anddepartfromevil"(Prov3:7).Aswho should say, Fear the Lord, and it will follow that you shall departfromevil:departingfromevilisanaturalconsequence,apropereffectofthefearoftheLordwhereitis.BythefearoftheLordmendepartfromevil,thatis,intheirjudgment,will,mind,andaffections.NotthatbythefearoftheLordsinisannihilated,orhaslostitsbeinginthesoul; therestill will those Canaanites be, but they are hated, loathed, abominated,fought against, prayed against, watched against, striven against, andmortifiedbythesoul(Rom7).

4.Thisfeariscalledafountainoflife—"ThefearoftheLordisafountainoflife,todepartfromthesnaresofdeath"(Prov14:27).Itisafountain,orspring, which so continually supplieth the soul with variety ofconsiderationsofsin,ofGod,ofdeath,andlifeeternal,astokeepthesoul

incontinualexerciseofvirtueandinholycontemplation.Itisafountainoflife;everyoperationthereof,everyactandexercisethereof,hathatrueandnaturaltendencytospiritualandeternalfelicity.Whereforethewisemansaithinanotherplace,"ThefearoftheLordtendethtolife,andhethathath it shallabidesatisfied;heshallnotbevisitedwithevil" (Prov19:23).Ittendethtolife;evenasofnature,everythinghathatendencytothatwhichismostnaturaltoitself;thefiretoburn,thewatertowet,thestonetofall,thesuntoshine,sintodefile,&c.ThusIsay,thefearoftheLordtendethtolife;thenatureofitistoputthesouluponfearingofGod,ofclosingwithChrist,andofwalkinghumblybeforehim."Itisafountainoflife,todepartfromthesnaresofdeath."Whatarethesnaresofdeath,but sin, the wiles of the devil, &c. Fromwhich the fear of God hath anaturaltendencytodeliverthee,andtokeeptheeinthewaythattendethtolife.

5. This fear of the Lord, it is called "the instruction of wisdom" (Prov15:33).Youheardbeforethatitisthebeginningofwisdom,buthereyoufind it called the instruction of wisdom; for indeed it is not only thatwhich makes a man begin to be wise, but to improve, and makeadvantageofallthosehelpsandmeanstolife,whichGodhathaffordedtothatend;thatis,bothtohisown,andhisneighbour'ssalvationalso.Itis the instruction of wisdom; it willmake aman capable to use all hisnatural parts, all his naturalwisdom toGod's glory, andhis owngood.There lieth, even in many natural things, that, into which if we wereinstructed,would yield us a great deal of help to the understanding ofspiritualmatters; "For inwisdomhasGodmade all theworld" ; nor isthereanythingthatGodhasmade,whetherinheavenabove,oronearthbeneath, but there is couched some spiritual mystery in it. The whichmenmatternomorethantheydothegroundtheytreadon,orthanthestonesthatareundertheirfeet,andallbecausetheyhavenotthisfearoftheLord; forhad they that, thatwould teach them to think, even fromthatknowledgeofGod,thathathbythefearofhimputintotheirhearts,that he being so great and so good, theremust needs be abundance ofwisdom in the things hehathmade: that fearwould also endeavour tofindoutwhatthatwisdomis;yea,andgivetothesoultheinstructionofit.Inthatitiscalledtheinstructionofwisdom,itintimatestousthatitstendency is to keep all even, and in good order in the soul.When Job

perceived that his friends did not deal with him in an even spirit andorderlymanner,hesaidthattheyforsook"thefearoftheAlmighty"(Job6:14). For this fear keeps a man even in his words and judgment ofthings.Itmaybecomparedtotheballastoftheship,andtothepoiseofthebalanceof thescales; itkeepsall even,andalsomakesus steerourcourserightwithrespecttothethingsthatpertaintoGodandman.

WhatthisfearofGodflowsfrom.

SECOND.Icomenowtothesecondthing,towit,toshowyouwhatthisfearofGodflowsfrom.

First.Thisfear,thisgraceoffear,thisson-likefearofGod,itflowsfromthedistinguishingloveofGodtohiselect."IwillbetheirGod,"saithhe,"and Iwill putmy fear in their hearts."None other obtain it but thosethat are enclosed and bound up in that bundle. Therefore they, in thesame place, are said to be those that are wrapt up in the eternal oreverlastingcovenantofGod,andsodesignedtobethepeoplethatshouldbeblessedwiththisfear."Iwillmakeaneverlastingcovenantwiththem"saithGod, "that Iwillnot turnaway fromthemtodo themgood,but Iwillputmyfearintheirhearts,thattheyshallnotdepartfromme"(Jer32:38-40).ThiscovenantdeclaresuntomenthatGodhath,inhisheart,distinguishingloveforsomeofthechildrenofmen;forhesaithhewillbetheirGod, thathewillnot leave them,noryetsuffer themtodepart, towit, finally, fromhim.Into thesemen'sheartshedothputhis fear, thisblessed grace, and this rare and effectual sign of his love, and of theireternalsalvation.

Second. This fear flows from a new heart. This fear is not in men bynature;thefearofdevilstheymayhave,asalsoanungodlyfearofGod;butthisfearisnotinanybutwheretheredwellethanewheart,anotherfruit and effect of this everlasting covenant, and of this distinguishingloveofGod."AnewheartalsowillIgivethem";anewheart,whataoneis that?why, the same prophet saith in another place, "A heart to fearme,"acircumcisedone,asanctifiedone(Jer32:39;Eze11:19,36:26).Sothen,untilamanreceiveaheart fromGod,aheart fromheaven,anewheart,hehasnotthisfearofGodinhim.Newwinemustnotbeputintooldbottles,lesttheone,towit,thebottles,marthewine,orthewinethe

bottles; but new wine must have new bottles, and then both shall bepreserved(Matt9:17).ThisfearofGodmustnotbe,cannotbefoundinold hearts; old hearts are not bottles out of which this fear of Godproceeds,butitisfromanhonestandgoodheart,fromanewone,fromsuchanonethatisalsoaneffectoftheeverlastingcovenant,andloveofGodtomen.

"Iwillgivethemoneheart"tofearme;theremustinallactionsbeheart,andwithoutheartnoactionisgood,norcantherebefaith,love,orfear,from every kind of heart. These must flow from such an one, whosenatureistoproduce,andbringforthsuchfruit.Domengathergrapesofthorns,or figsof thistles?so fromacorruptheart therecannotproceedsuch fruit as the fear ofGod, as to believe inGod, and loveGod (Luke6:43-45).Theheartnaturallyisdeceitfulaboveallthings,anddesperatelywicked;howthenshouldthereflowfromsuchanonethefearofGod?Itcannotbe.He,therefore,thathathnotreceivedatthehandsofGodanewheart,cannotfeartheLord.

Third. This fear ofGod flows froman impression, a sound impression,thattheWordofGodmakethonoursouls;forwithoutanimpressoftheWord, there is no fear ofGod.Hence it is said thatGod gave to Israelgood laws, statutes, and judgments, that theymight learn them,and inlearningthem,learntofeartheLordtheirGod.Therefore,saithGod,inanother place, "Gather the people together, men, and women, andchildren, and thy stranger that iswithin thy gates, that theymay hear,andthattheymaylearnandfeartheLordyourGod"(Deut6:1,2,31:12).Forasamandrinkethgooddoctrineintohissoul,sohefearethGod.Ifhedrinksitinmuch,hefearethhimgreatly;ifhedrinkethitinbutlittle,hefearethhimbutlittle;ifhedrinkethitnotinatall,hefearethhimnotatall.This,therefore,teachethushowtojudgewhofeareththeLord;theyarethosethatlearn,andthatstandinaweoftheWord.ThosethathavebytheholyWordofGodtheveryformofitselfengravenuponthefaceoftheirsouls,theyfearGod(Rom6:17).[15]

But,onthecontrary,thosethatdonot lovegooddoctrine,thatgivenotplace to the wholesome truths of the God of heaven, revealed in hisTestament,totakeplaceintheirsouls,butratherdespiseit,andthetruepossessorsofit,theyfearnotGod.For,asIsaidbefore,thisfearofGod,

itflowsfromasoundimpressionthattheWordofGodmakethuponthesoul;andtherefore,

Fourth.Thisgodlyfearflowethfromfaith;forwheretheWordmakethasound impression on the soul, by that impression is faith begotten,whence also this feardoth flow.Therefore righthearingof theWord iscalled "the hearing of faith" (Gal 3:2).Hence it is said again, "By faithNoah,beingwarnedofGodof thingsnot seen as yet,movedwith fear,preparedanarktothesavingofhishouse,bythewhichhecondemnedtheworld,andbecameheiroftherighteousnesswhichisbyfaith"(Heb11:7).TheWord,thewarningthathehadfromGodofthingsnotseenasyet, wrought, through faith therein, that fear of God in his heart thatmade him prepare against unseen dangers, and that he might be aninheritorofunseenhappiness.Where,therefore,thereisnotfaithintheWordofGod, therecanbenoneof this fear; andwhere theWorddothnotmakesoundimpressiononthesoul,therecanbenoneof this faith.Sothatasviceshangtogether,andhavethelinksofachain,dependenceoneuponanother, evenso thegracesof theSpirit alsoare the fruitsofone another, and have such dependence on each other, that the onecannotbewithouttheother.Nofaith,nofearofGod;devil'sfaith,devil'sfear;saint'sfaith,saint'sfear.

Fifth.This godly fear also floweth fromsound repentance for and fromsin;godly sorrowworketh repentance, and godly repentance produceththisfear—"Forbehold,"saysPaul,"thisself-samething,thatyesorrowedafteragodlysort,whatcarefulnessitwroughtinyou!yea,whatclearingof yourselves! yea, what indignation! yea, what fear!" (2 Cor 7:10,11).Repentanceistheeffectofsorrow,andsorrowistheeffectofsmart,andsmarttheeffectoffaith.Now,therefore,fearmustneedsbeaneffectof,and flow from repentance. Sinner, do not deceive thyself; if thou art astranger to sound repentance, which standeth in sorrow and shamebeforeGodforsin,asalsointurningfromit,thouhastnofearofGod;Imeannoneof this godly fear; for that is the fruit of, and floweth from,soundrepentance.

Sixth.ThisgodlyfearalsoflowsfromasenseoftheloveandkindnessofGod to the soul.Where there is no sense of hope of the kindness andmercyofGodbyJesusChrist, therecanbenoneof this fear,butrather

wrath anddespair,whichproduceth that fear that is either devilish, orelsethatwhichisonlywroughtinusbytheSpirit,asaspiritofbondage;butthesewedonotdiscourseofnow;whereforethegodlyfearthatnowItreatof,itflowethfromsomesenseorhopeofmercyfromGodbyJesusChrist—"If thou,Lord," saysDavid, "shouldestmark iniquities,O Lord,whoshallstand?But there is forgivenesswith thee that thoumayestbefeared" (Psa 130:3,4). "There is mercy with thee" ; this the soul hathsenseof,andhopein,andthereforefearethGod.IndeednothingcanlayastrongerobligationuponthehearttofearGod,thansenseof,orhopeinmercy (Jer 33:8,9). This begetteth true tenderness of heart, true godlysoftnessofspirit; this trulyendeareththeaffections toGod;and in thistruetenderness,softness,andendearednessofaffectiontoGod,lieththeveryessenceofthisfearoftheLord,asismanifestbythefruitofthisfearwhenweshallcometospeakofit.

Seventh. This fear of God flows from a due consideration of thejudgments of God that are to be executed in the world; yea, uponprofessors too. Yea further, God's people themselves, I mean as tothemselves,havesuchaconsiderationofhisjudgmentstowardsthem,astoproducethisgodlyfear.WhenGod'sjudgmentsareintheearth,theyeffect the fear of his name, in the hearts of his own people—"My fleshtrembleth for fear of thee, and I am," said David, "afraid of thyjudgments"(Psa119:120).WhenGodsmoteUzzah,DavidwasafraidofGodthatday(1Chron13:12).Indeed,manyregardnottheworksoftheLord,nortakenoticeoftheoperationofhishands,andsuchcannotfearthe Lord. But others observe and regard, and wisely consider of hisdoings,andofthejudgmentsthatheexecuteth,andthatmakesthemfeartheLord.ThisGodhimself suggestethasameans tomakeus fearhim.Hencehecommandsthefalseprophettobestoned,"thatallIsraelmighthearandfear."Hencealsohecommandedthattherebellioussonshouldbestoned,"thatallIsraelmighthearandfear."AfalsewitnesswasalsotohavethesamejudgmentofGodexecuteduponhim,"thatallIsraelmighthearandfear."Themanalsothatdidoughtpresumptuouslywastodie,"that all Israel might hear and fear" (Deut 13:11, 21:21, 17:13, 19:20).Thereisanaturaltendencyinjudgments,asjudgments,tobegetafearofGod in the heart of man, as man; but when the observation of thejudgmentofGodismadebyhimthathathaprincipleoftruegraceinhis

soul,thatobservationbeingmade,Isay,byagraciousheart,producethafearofGodinthesoulofitsownnature,towit,agraciousorgodlyfearofGod.

Eighth. This godly fear also flows from a godly remembrance of ourformer distresses, when we were distressed with our first fears; forthough our first fears were begotten in us by the Spirit's working as aspirit of bondage, and so are not always to be entertained as such, yeteventhatfearleavethinus,anduponourspirits,thatsenseandrelishofour first awakenings anddread, as alsooccasionethandproduceth thisgodlyfear."Takeheed,"saysGod,"andkeepthysouldiligently,lestthouforget the thingswhich thineeyeshave seen, and lest theydepart fromthyheartall thedaysof thy life,but teachthemthysons,andthyson'ssons."Butwhatwere the things that theireyeshadseen, thatwouldsodamnifythemshouldtheybeforgotten?Theansweris,thethingswhichthey saw at Horeb; to wit, the fire, the smoke, the darkness, theearthquake,theirfirstawakeningsbythelaw,bywhichtheywerebroughtinto a bondage fear; yea, they were to remember this especially—"Specially,"saithhe,thedaythatthoustoodestbeforetheLordthyGodinHoreb,when theLordsaiduntome,Gatherme thepeople together,andIwillmakethemhearmywords,thattheymaylearntofearmeallthe days that they shall live upon the earth" (Deut 4:9-11). Theremembranceofwhatwesaw,felt,feared,andtrembledunderthesenseof,whenour first fearswereuponus, is thatwhichwillproduce inourheartsthisgodlyfilialfear.

Ninth.This godly fear flows fromour receivingof ananswerofprayer,whenwesupplicatedformercyatthehandofGod.Seetheproofforthis—"Iftherebeinthelandfamine,iftherebepestilence,blasting,mildew,locust,oriftherebecaterpillar;iftheirenemybesiegetheminthelandoftheircities,whatsoeverplague,whatsoeversicknesstherebe:whatprayerandsupplicationsoeverbemadebyanyman,orbyallthypeopleIsrael,whichshallknoweverymantheplagueofhisownheart,andspreadforthhishandstowardthishouse:thenhearthouinheaventhydwelling-place,andforgive,anddo,andgivetoeverymanaccordingtohisways,whoseheart thouknowest (for thou, even thouonly, knowest theheartsof allthechildrenofmen).Thattheymayfeartheeallthedaysoftheirlife,that

they live in the landwhichthougavestuntoour fathers" (1Kings8:37-40).

Tenth.Thisgraceof fearalsoflowsfromablessedconvictionof theall-seeing eye of God; that is, from a belief that he certainly knoweth theheart,andseetheveryoneoftheturningsandreturningsthereof;thisisintimated in the text lastmentioned—"Whose heart thou knowest, thattheymayfearthee,"towit,somanyofthemasbe,orshallbeconvincedof this. Indeed,without thisconviction, thisgodly fear cannotbe inus;thewantofthisconvictionmadethePhariseessuchhypocrites—"Yearethey,"saidChrist,"whichjustifyyourselvesbeforemen,butGodknowethyourhearts" (Luke 16:15).ThePharisees, I say,werenot awareof this;thereforetheysomuchpreferredthemselvesbeforethosethatbyfarwerebetterthanthemselves,andit isforwantofthisconvictionthatmengooninsuchsecretsinsastheydo,somuchwithoutfeareitherofGodorhisjudgments.[16]

Eleventh. This grace of fear also flows from a sense of the impartialjudgment of God upon men according to their works. This also ismanifest from the text mentioned above. And give unto every manaccordingtohisworksorways,"thattheymayfearthee,"&c.Thisisalsomanifest by that of Peter—"And if ye call on the Father, who withoutrespectofpersonsjudgethaccordingtoeveryman'swork,passthetimeof your sojourning here in fear" (1 Peter 1:17). He that hath godlyconviction of this fear ofGod,will fear beforehim; bywhich fear theirhearts are poised, andworks directedwith trembling, according to thewillofGod.Thusyouseewhataweightyandgreatgracethisgraceoftheholy fear of God is, and how all the graces of the Holy Ghost yieldmutually their help and strength to the nourishment and life of it; andalsohowitflowsfromthemall,andhathadependenceuponeveryoneofthemforitsdueworkingintheheartofhimthathathit.Andthusmuchto show you from whence it flows. And now I shall come to the thirdthing,towit,toshowyou

Whatflowsfromthisgodlyfear.

THIRD.Having showedyouwhat godly fear flows from, I comenow, Isay, to showyouwhatproceedethor flows from thisgodly fearofGod,

whereitisseatedintheheartofman.And,

First.There flows from thisgodly fearagodly reverenceofGod. "He isgreat,"saidDavid,"andgreatlytobefearedintheassemblyofhissaints."God,asIhavealreadyshowedyou,istheproperobjectofgodlyfear;itishispersonandmajestythatthisfearalwayscauseththeeyeofthesoultobe upon. "Behold," saith David, "as the eyes of servants look unto thehandoftheirmasters,andastheeyesofamaidenuntothehandofhermistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he havemercyuponus"(Psa123:2).NothingaweththesoulthatfearethGodsomuchasdoththegloriousmajestyofGod.Hispersonisaboveallthingsfearedbythem;"IfearGod,"saidJoseph(Gen42:18).Thatis,morethananyother;Istand inaweofhim,he ismydread,he ismyfear,Idoallmineactionsasinhispresence,asinhissight;Ireverencehisholyandgloriousmajesty,doingallthingsaswithfearandtremblingbeforehim.This fearmakes themhavealsoaverygreat reverenceofhisWord; forthat also, I told you, was the rule of their fear. "Princes," said David,"persecutedmewithoutacause,butmyheartstandethinawe," infear,"ofthyword."Thisgraceoffear,therefore,fromitflowsreverenceofthewordsofGod;ofalllaws,thatmanfeareththeword;andnolawthatisnot agreeing therewith (Psa 119:116). There flows from this godly feartendernessofGod'sglory.

Thisfear,Isay,willcauseamantoafflicthissoul,whenheseeththatbyprofessors dishonour is brought to the name of God and to hisWord.Whowouldnot fear thee, said Jeremiah,Oking of nations, for to theedothitappertain?Hespeaksitasbeingaffectedwiththatdishonour,thatbythebodyoftheJewswascontinuallybroughttohisname,hisWord,and ways; he also speaks it of a hearty wish that they once would beotherwise minded. The same saying in effect hath also John in theRevelation—"Whoshallnot fear thee,OLord," saidhe, "andglorify thyname?"(Rev15:4);clearlyconcludingthatgodly fearproducethagodlytendernessofGod's glory in theworld, for that appertainethuntohim;thatis,itisdueuntohim,itisadebtwhichweoweuntohim."Giveuntothe Lord," said David, "the glory due unto his name." Now if there bebegottenintheheartofthegodly,bythisgraceoffear,agodlytendernessofthegloryofGod,thenitfollowsofconsequence,thatwheretheythat

havethisfearofGoddoseehisglorydiminishedbythewickednessofthechildrenofmen,theretheyaregrievedanddeeplydistressed."Riversofwaters,"saidDavid,"rundownmineeyes,becausetheykeepnotthylaw"(Psa119:136).Letmetgiveyouforthisthesefollowinginstances—

HowwasDavidprovokedwhenGoliathdefied theGodof Israel (1Sam17:23-29,45,46).Also,whenothersreproachedGod,hetellsusthatthatreproach was even as "a sword in his bones" (Psa 42:10). How wasHezekiahafflictedwhenRabshakehraileduponhisGod(Isa37).Davidalso, forthe lovethathehadtothegloryofGod'sword,ranthehazardandreproach"ofallthemightypeople"(Psa119:151,89:50).HowtenderofthegloryofGodwasEli,Daniel,andthethreechildrenintheirday.Elidiedwithfearandtremblingofheartwhenheheardthat"thearkofGodwastaken"(1Sam4:14-18).Danielranthedangerof the lions'mouths,forthetenderlovethathehadtothewordandworshipofGod(Dan6:10-16).Thethreechildrenranthehazardofaburningfieryfurnace,ratherthantheywoulddaretodishonourthewayoftheirGod(Dan3:13,16,20).Thisthereforeisoneofthefruitsofthisgodlyfear,towit,areverenceofhisnameandtendernessofhisglory.

Second. There flows from this godly fear, watchfulness. As it is said ofSolomon'sservants, they"watchedabouthisbed,becauseof fear in thenight,"soitmaybesaidofthemthathavethisgodlyfear—itmakesthemawatchful people. Itmakes themwatch their hearts, and take heed tokeep themwith all diligence, lest they should, by one or another of itsflights, lead them to do that which in itself is wicked (Prov 4:23; Heb12:15).Itmakesthemwatch,lestsometemptationfromhellshouldenterinto their heart to the destroying of them (1 Peter 5:8). Itmakes themwatchtheirmouths,andkeepthemalso,atsometimes,aswithabitandbridle,thattheyoffendnotwiththeirtongue,knowingthatthetongueisapt,beinganevilmember,soontocatchthefireofhell,tothedefilingofthewholebody(James3:2-7).Itmakesthemwatchovertheirways,lookwell to their goings, and tomake straight steps for their feet (Psa39:1;Heb12:13).Thus thisgodly fearputs the soulupon itswatch, lest fromtheheartwithin,or from thedevilwithout,or fromtheworld,or someother temptation, something should surprise and overtake the child ofGodtodefilehim,ortocausehimtodefilethewaysofGod,andsooffend

the saints, open the mouths of men, and cause the enemy to speakreproachfullyofreligion.

Third. There flows from this fear a holy provocation to a reverentialconverse with saints in their religious and godly assemblies, for theirfurtherprogressinthefaithandwayofholiness."ThentheythatfearedtheLordspakeoftenonetoanother."Spake,thatis,ofGod,andhisholyandgloriousname,kingdom,andworks,fortheirmutualedification;"abook of remembrancewaswritten before him for them that feared theLord,andthatthoughtuponhisname"(Mal3:16).ThefearoftheLordinthe heart provoketh to this in all its acts, not only of necessity, but ofnature:itisthenaturaleffectofthisgodlyfear,toexercisethechurchinthe contemplation of God, together and apart. All fear, good and bad,hathanaturalpropensenessinittoinclinethehearttocontemplateuponthe object of fear, and though a man should labour to take off histhoughts fromtheobjectofhis fear,whether thatobjectwasmen,hell,devils,&c.,yetdowhathecouldthenexttimehisfearhadanyactinit,itwould return again to its object. And so it is with godly fear; that willmakeamanspeakof,andthinkupon,thenameofGodreverentially(Psa89:7);yea,andexercisehimselfintheholythoughtsofhiminsuchsortthat his soul shall be sanctified, and seasoned with such meditations.Indeed,holythoughtsofGod,suchasyouseethisfeardothexercisetheheartwithal,prepare theheart to, and forGod.This fear therefore it isthat David prayed for, for the people, when he said, "O Lord God ofAbraham, Isaac, and of Israel our fathers, keep this for ever in theimaginationofthethoughtsoftheheartofthypeople,andpreparetheirheartuntothee"(1Chron29:18).

Fourth.ThereflowsfromthisfearofGodgreatreverenceofhismajesty,in and under the use and enjoyment of God's holy ordinances. Hisordinances are his courts and palaces, his walks and places, where hegivethhispresencetothosethatwaituponhiminthem,inthefearofhisname. And this is the meaning of that of the apostle: "Then had thechurchesrest throughoutallJudea,andGalilee,andSamaria,andwereedified; and,walking in the fear of theLord, and in the comfort of theHoly Ghost, were multiplied" (Acts 9:31). "And walking"—that wordintendeth their use of the ordinances of God. They walked in all the

commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. This, in OldTestament language, iscalled, treadingGod'scourts,andwalking inhispaths.This,saiththetext,theydidhere,inthefearofGod.Thatis,inagreat reverenceof thatGodwhoseordinances theywere."Yeshallkeepmy Sabbaths, and reverencemy sanctuary; I am the Lord" (Lev 19:30,26:2).

It isone thing tobe conversant inGod'sordinances, andanother tobeconversantinthemwithaduereverenceofthemajestyandnameofthatGodwhoseordinancestheyare:itiscommonformentodothefirst,butnone cando the lastwithout this fear. "In thy fear," saidDavid, "will Iworship" (Psa 5:7). It is this fear of God, therefore, fromwhence dothflowthatgreatreverencethathissaintshaveinthem,ofhismajesty, inand under the use and enjoyment of God's holy ordinances; and,consequently, that makes our service in the performance of themacceptabletoGodthroughChrist(Heb12).ForGodexpectsthatweservehimwith fearandtrembling,and it isodiousamongmen, foraman inthepresence,orabouttheserviceofhisprince,tobehavehimselflightly,andwithoutduereverenceofthatmajestyinwhosepresenceandaboutwhose business he is. And if so, how can their service to God haveanythinglikeacceptationfromthehandofGod,thatisdone,notin,butwithout the fearofGod?This servicemustneedsbeanabomination tohim,andtheseserversmustcomeoffwithrebuke.

Fifth.ThereflowsfromthisgodlyfearofGod,self-denial.Thatis,aholyabstaining from those things that are either unlawful or inexpedient;according to that of Nehemiah, "The former governors that had beenbeforeme,werechargeableuntothepeople,thathadtakenofthembreadandwine,besidefortyshekelsofsilver,yea,eventheirservantsbareruleoverthepeople:butsodidnotI,becauseofthefearofGod"(Neh5:15).[17]

Herenotwas self-denial;hewouldnotdoas theydid thatwentbeforehim,neitherhimself, nor should his servants; butwhatwas it that puthimupontheseactsofself-denial?Theansweris,thefearofGod:"butsodidnotI,becauseofthefearofGod."

Now,whetherbythefearofGodinthisplacebemeanthisWord,orthe

graceof fear inhisheart,mayperhapsbea scruple to some,but inmyjudgmentthetextmusthaverespecttothelatter, towit, tothegraceoffear,forwithoutthatbeingindeedintheheart,thewordwillnotproducethatgoodself-denialinus,thathereyoufindthisgoodmantoliveinthedailyexerciseof.ThefearofGod,therefore,thatwasthecauseofhisself-denial,was thisgraceof fear inhisheart.Thismadehim tobe, aswassaid before, tender of the honour of God, and of the salvation of hisbrother:yea,sotender,thatratherthanhewouldgiveanoccasiontotheweak to stumble, or be offended, he would even deny himself of thatwhich others never sticked to do. Paul also, through the sanctifyingoperationsofthisfearofGodinhisheart,diddenyhimselfevenoflawfulthings, for theprofitandcommodityofhisbrother—"Iwill eatno fleshwhiletheworldstandeth,lestImakemybrothertooffend";thatis,ifhiseatingofitwouldmakehisbrothertooffend(1Cor8:13).

Men that have not this fear of God in them, will not, cannot denythemselves—oflovetoGod,andthegoodoftheweak,whoaresubjecttostumble at indifferent things—but where this grace of fear is, therefollowsself-denial; theremenare tenderofoffending;andcount that itfarbetterbecomestheirprofessiontobeofaself-denying,condescendingconversation and temper, than to stand sturdily to their own liberty inthings inexpedient, whoever is offended thereat. This grace of fear,therefore,isaveryexcellentthing,becauseityieldethsuchexcellentfruitas this.For thisself-denial,ofhow littleesteemsoever itbewithsome,yetthewantof it, if thewordsofChristbetrue,astheyare,takesquiteawayfromevenaprofessor theverynameofadisciple (Matt 10:37,38;Luke14:26,27,33).They,saysNehemiah,lordeditoverthebrethren,butso did not I. They took bread and wine, and forty shekels of silver ofthem,butsodidnotI;yea,eventheirservantsbareruleoverthepeople,"butsodidnotI,becauseofthefearofGod."

Sixth.ThereflowsfromthisgodlyfearofGod"singlenessofheart"(Col3:22).SinglenessofheartbothtoGodandman;singlenessofheart,thatisitwhichinanotherplaceiscalledsincerityandgodlysimplicity,anditisthis,whenamandothathingsimplyforthesakeofhimorofthelawthatcommandsit,withoutrespecttothisby-end,[18]

or that desire of praise or of vain-glory from others; I say, when our

obedience toGod is done by us simply or alone forGod's sake, for hisWord's sake,without any regard to this or that by-end or reserve, "notwith eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearingGod."AmanismoresubjecttonothingthantoswervefromsinglenessofheartinhisservicetoGod,andobediencetohiswill.HowdoththeLordchargethechildrenofIsrael,andalltheirobedience,andthatforseventyyearstogether,withthewantofsinglenessofhearttowardshim—"Whenyefastedandmournedinthefifthandseventhmonth,eventhoseseventyyears,didyeatall fastuntome,eventome?Andwhenyedideat,andwhen ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink foryourselves?"(Zech7:5,6).

Theywantedthissinglenessofheartintheirfasting,andintheireating,intheirmourning,andintheirdrinking;theyhaddoubleheartsinwhattheydid.Theydidnot as the apostlebids; "whether ye eat ordrink, orwhatsoeveryedo,doalltothegloryofGod."Andthereasonoftheirwantof this thingwas, theywanted this fear ofGod; for that, as the apostleheresaith,effectethsinglenessofhearttoGod,andmakesaman,asJohnsaid of Gaius, "do faithfully whatsoever he doth" (3 John 5). And thereason is, as hath been already urged, for that grace of fear of Godretainethandkeepethupon thehearta reverentandawful senseof thedreadmajestyandall-seeingeyeofGod,alsoadueconsiderationoftheday of account before him; it likewise maketh his service sweet andpleasing, and fortifies the soul against all discouragements; by thismeans, I say, the soul, in its service to God or man, is not so sooncaptivatedaswherethereisnotthisfear,butthroughandbyititsserviceisaccepted,beingsingle,sincere,simple,andfaithful;whenothers,withwhattheydo,arecastintohellfortheirhypocrisy,fortheymixnotwhattheydowithgodlyfear.SinglenessofheartintheserviceofGodisofsuchabsolute necessity, that without it, as I have hinted, nothing can beaccepted;becausewherethatiswanting,therewantethlovetoGod,andtothatwhichistrueholinessindeed.ItwasthissinglenessofheartthatmadeNathanaelsohonourableintheeyesofJesusChrist."Behold,"saidhe, "an Israelite indeed, inwhom there is no guile" (John 1:47).And itwas the want of it that made him so much abhor the Pharisees. Theywanted sincerity, simplicity, and godly sincerity in their souls, and sobecame an abhorrence in his esteem. Now, I say, this golden grace,

singlenessofheart,itflowsfromthisgodlyfearofGod.

Seventh.ThereflowsfromthisgodlyfearofGod,compassionandbowelstothoseofthesaintsthatareinnecessityanddistress.ThisismanifestingoodObadiah;itissaidofhim,"Thathetookanhundred"oftheLord's"prophets,andhidthembyfiftyinacave,andfedthemwithbreadandwater,"inthedayswhenJezebel,thattyrant,soughttheirlivestodestroythem(1Kings18:3,4).Butwhatwasitthatmovedsouponhisheart,astocausehimtodothisthing?Why,itwasthisblessedgraceof thefearofGod."NowObadiah,"saiththetext,"fearedtheLordgreatly,foritwasso,when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took anhundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them withbread and water." This was charity to the distressed, even to thedistressedfortheLord'ssake.

HadnotObadiahservedtheLord,yea,hadhenotgreatlyfearedhim,hewould not have been able to do this thing, especially as the case thenstoodwithhim,andalsowith the churchat that time, for thenJezebelsought to slayall that indeed feared theLord; yea, and thepersecutionprevailedsomuchatthattime,thatevenElijahhimselfthoughtthatshehadkilledallbuthim.Butnow,evennow, the fearofGod in thisgoodman's heart put forth itself into acts ofmercy though attendedwith soimminentdanger.Seehere,therefore,thatthefearofGodwillputforthitself intheheartwhereGodhathput it,eventoshowkindness,andtohave compassion upon the distressed servants of God, even underJezebel's nose; for Obadiah dwelt in Ahab's house, and Jezebel wasAhab'swife, andahorriblepersecutor, aswas saidbefore: yetObadiahwillshowmercytothepoorbecausehefearedGod,yea,hewillventureherdispleasure,hisplace,andneck,andall,buthewillbemercifultohisbrethrenindistress.Cornelius,also,beingamanpossessedwiththisfearofGod, became a very free-hearted and open-handedman to the poor—"HefearedGod,andgavemuchalmsto thepeople."Indeedthis fear,thisgodlyfearofGod,itisauniversalgrace;itwillstirupthesouluntoall good duties. It is a fruitful grace; from it, where it is, flowethabundanceofexcellentvirtues;norwithoutitcantherebeanythinggood,ordonewell,thatisdone.But,

Eighth.There flows from this fear ofGodhearty, fervent, and constant

prayer.Thisalso is seen inCornelius, thatdevoutman.He fearedGod;andwhat then?why, he gavemuch alms to thepeople, "andprayed toGodalway"(Acts10:1,2).

DidIsaythathearty,fervent,andconstantprayerflowedfromthisfearofGod?Iwilladd,thatifthewholeduty,andthecontinuationofit,benotmanagedwiththisfearofGod,itprofitethnothingatall.ItissaidofourLordJesusChristhimself,"Hewasheardinthathefeared."Heprayed,then, because he feared, because he fearedGod, and thereforewas hisprayeracceptedofhim,evenbecausehefeared—"Hewasheardinthathefeared"(Heb5:7).Thisgodlyfearissoessentialtorightprayer,andrightprayer issuchaninseparableeffectandfruitof this fear, thatyoumusthave both or none; he that prayeth not feareth not God, yea, he thatprayeth not fervently and frequently feareth him not; and so he thatfearethhimnotcannotpray;forifprayerbetheeffectofthisfearofGod,thenwithoutthisfear,prayer,ferventprayer,ceaseth.HowcantheyprayormakeconscienceofthedutythatfearnotGod?Oprayerlessman,thoufearestnotGod!Thouwouldestnot live so like a swineor adog in theworldasthoudost,ifthoufearesttheLord.

Ninth.ThereflowethfromthisfearofGodareadinessorwillingness,atGod'scall,togiveupourbestenjoymentstohisdisposal.ThisisevidentinAbraham,whoatGod'scall,withoutdelay,roseearlyinthemorningtooffer up his only and well-beloved Isaac a burnt-offering in the placewhereGodshouldappointhim.ItwasararethingthatAbrahamdid;andhadhenothadthisraregrace, this fearofGod,hewouldnot,hecouldnot have done toGod's liking sowonderful a thing. It is true theHolyGhostalsomakesthisserviceofAbrahamtobethefruitofhisfaith—"ByfaithAbrahamofferedup Isaac, andhe that had received the promisesoffered up his only-begotten son" (Heb 11; James 2). Aye, andwithoutdoubtloveuntoGod,inAbraham,wasnotwantinginthishisservice,norwas thisgraceof fear;nay, in thestorywhere it is recorded.There it ischieflyaccountedforthefruitofhisgodlyfear,andthatbyanangelfromheaven—"And the angel called out of heaven, and said, Abraham,Abraham.Andhesaid,HereamI.Andhesaid,Laynotthinehanduponthe lad, neither do thou anything unto him, for now I know that thoufearestGod,seeingthouhastnotwithheldthyson,thineonlyson,from

me"(Gen22:11,12).NowIknowit;now,nowthouhastofferedupthineonlyIsaac,thineall,atthebiddingofthyGod.NowIknowit.ThefearofGod isnotpresentlydiscerned in theheart and lifeof aman.Abrahamhad long before this done many a holy duty, and showed muchwillingnessofhearttoobserveanddothewillofGod;yetyoufindnot,asIremember,thathehadthistestimonyfromheaventhathefearedGodtillnow;butnowhehasit,nowhehasitfromheaven."NowIknowthatthou fearestGod."Manydutiesmaybedone—though Idonot say thatAbrahamdidthem—withoutthefearofGod;butwhenamanshallnotstickat,orwithhold,hisdarlingfromGod,whencalleduponbyGodtooffer itupuntohim, thatdeclareth,yea,andgivesconvictiontoangels,thatnowhefearethGod.

Tenth. There floweth from this godly fear humility of mind. This isevident, because, when the apostle cautions the Romans against thevenomof spiritualpride,hedirects them to theexerciseof thisblessedgrace of fear as its antidote. "Benot high-minded," saith he, "but fear"(Rom11:20).Pride, spiritualpride,which is here set forth by theword"high-minded,"isasinofaveryhighanddamnablenature;itwasthesinofthefallenangels,andis thatwhichcausethmentofall intothesamecondemnation—"Lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into thecondemnation of the devil." Pride, I say, it damns a professorwith thedamnation of devils, with the damnation of hell, and therefore it is adeadly, deadly sin. Now against this deadly sin is set the grace ofhumility; that comely garment, for so the apostle calls it, saying, "beclothedwithhumility."Butthequestionisnow,howweshouldattainto,and live in, the exerciseof thisblessedandcomelygrace? towhich theapostle answers, Fear; be afraid with godly fear, and thence will flowhumility—"Benothigh-minded,butfear."Thatis,Fear,orbecontinuallyafraid and jealous of yourselves, and of your own naughty hearts, alsofear lest at some time or other the devil, your adversary, should haveadvantageofyou.

Fear, lestbyforgettingwhatyouarebynature,youalsoforgettheneedthatyouhaveofcontinualpardon,support,andsuppliesfromtheSpiritof grace, and so growproudof your own abilities, or ofwhat youhavereceived ofGod, and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Fear, and

thatwillmakeyoulittleinyourowneyes,keepyouhumble,putyouuponcrying toGod forprotection, andupon lyingathis foot formercy; thatwillalsomakeyouhavelowthoughtsofyourownparts,yourowndoings,andcauseyoutopreferyourbrotherbeforeyourself,andsoyouwillwalkinhumiliation,andbecontinuallyundertheteachingsofGod,andunderhisconductinyourway.Thehumble,Godwillteach—"Themeekwillheguide in judgment, themeekwill he teachhisway."From this graceoffear then flows this excellent and comely thing, humility; yea, it also ismaintainedbythisfear.Feartakesoffamanfromtrustingtohimself,itputsamanupontryingofallthings,itputsamanupondesiringcounseland help from heaven, it makes a man ready and willing to hearinstruction, andmakesamanwalk lowly, softly, and so securely in theway.

Eleventh.There flowsfromthisgraceof fear,hope inthemercyofGod—"TheLordtakethpleasureinthemthatfearhim,inthemthathopeinhismercy"(Psa147:11).Thelatterpartofthetextisanexplanationoftheformer:as if thepsalmisthadsaid,Theybethementhat fear theLord,eventheythathopeinhismercy; for true fearproducethhope inGod'smercy.Anditisfurthermanifestthus.Fear,truefearofGodinclineththeheart toaserious inquiryafter thatwayofsalvationwhichGodhimselfhathprescribed;nowthewaythatGodhathappointed,bythewhichthesinneristoobtainthesalvationofhissoul,ishismercyassoandsosetforthintheWord,andgodlyfearhathspecialregardtotheWord.Tothisway, therefore, the sinner with this godly fear submits his soul, rollshimselfuponit,andsoisdeliveredfromthatdeathintowhichothers,forwantofthisfearofGod,doheadlongfall.

It is, as I also hinted before, the nature of godly fear to be verymuchputtingthe soul upon the inquirywhich is, andwhich is not, the thingapprovedofGod,andaccordinglytoembraceitorshunit.NowIsay,thisfearhavingputthesouluponastrictandseriousinquiryafterthewayofsalvation,atlastitfindsittobebythemercyofGodinChrist;thereforethis fear putteth the soul upon hoping also in him for eternal life andblessedness;bywhichhopehedothnotonlysecurehissoul,butbecomesa portion of God's delight—"The Lord takes pleasure in them that fearhim,inthemthathopeinhismercy."

Besides, this godly fear carrieth in it self-evidence that the state of thesinner ishappy,becausepossessedwith thishappygrace.Therefore, asJohnsaith,"Weknowwehavepassed fromdeathunto life,becausewelove thebrethren" (1 John3:14). Sohere, "TheLord takethpleasure inthemthatfearhim,inthemthathopeinhismercy."IfIfearGod,andifmyfearingofhimisathinginwhichhetakethsuchpleasure,thenmayIboldlyventuretorollmyselfforeternallifeintothebosomofhismercy,whichisChrist.Thisfearalsoproducethhope;iftherefore,poorsinner,thou knowest thyself to be one that is possessedwith this fear ofGod,sufferthyselftobepersuadedthereforetohopeinthemercyofGodforsalvation,fortheLordtakespleasureinthee.Anditdelightshimtoseetheehopeinhismercy.

Twelfth. There floweth from this godly fear of God an honest andconscientioususeof all thosemeanswhichGodhathordained, thatweshould be conversant in for our attaining salvation. Faith and hope inGod'smercyisthatwhichsecurethourjustificationandhope,andasyouhaveheard,theydoflowfromthisfear.Butnow,besidesfaithandhope,thereisacourseoflifeinthosethingsinwhichGodhathordainedustohave our conversation,withoutwhich there is no eternal life. "Ye haveyour fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" ; and again,"withoutholinessnomanshallseetheLord."Notthatfaithandhopearedeficient,iftheyberight,buttheyarebothofthemcounterfeitwhennotattendedwitha reverentuseofall themeans:upon thereverentuseofwhich the soul is put by this grace of fear. "Wherefore, beloved," saidPaul, "as ye have always obeyed, not as inmy presence only, but nowmuchmoreinmineabsence,workoutyourownsalvationwithfearandtrembling"(Rom6:22;Heb12:14;Phil2:11).

There isa faithandhopeofmercy thatmaydeceiveaman(thoughthefaith of God's elect, and the hope that purifies the heart never will),because they are alone, and not attended with those companions thataccompany salvation (Heb6:3-8).Butnow this godly fear carries in itsbowels,notonlyamovingofthesoultofaithandhopeinGod'smercy,butanearnestprovocationtotheholyandreverentuseofallthemeansthatGodhasordainedforamantohavehisconversationin,inordertohiseternalsalvation."Workoutyoursalvationwithfear."Notthatwork

ismeritorious, or such that can purchase eternal life, for eternal life isobtainedbyhopeinGod'smercy;butthishope,ifitberight,isattendedwiththisgodlyfear,whichfearputteththesouluponadiligentuseofallthosemeans thatmay tend to the strengtheningof hope, and so to themakingofusholyinallmannerofconversation,thatwemaybemeettobepartakersof the inheritanceof thesaints in light.Forhopepurifieththeheart, if fearofGodshallbeitscompanion,andsomakethamanavessel of mercy prepared unto glory. Paul bids Timothy to fly pride,covetousness, doting about questions, and the like, and to "follow afterrighteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience; to fight the good fight offaith,andtolayholdoneternallife"(1Tim6).

SoPeterbids thatwe"add toour faithvirtue;and tovirtueknowledge;and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and topatiencegodliness;andtogodlinessbrotherlykindness;andtobrotherlykindnesscharity";adding,"forifthesethingsbeinyouandabound,theymakeyouthatyeshallneitherbebarrennorunfruitfulintheknowledgeofourLordJesusChrist.Whereforetherather,brethren,givediligencetomake your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shallnever fall. For so an entrance shall beministered unto you abundantlyinto the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2Peter1:5-11).Thesumofallwhichisthatwhichwasmentionedbefore;towit,"toworkoutourownsalvationwithfearandtrembling."Fornoneofthesethingscanbeconscientiouslydone,butbyandwiththehelpofthisblessedgraceoffear.

Thirteenth.Thereflowsfromthisfear,thisgodlyfear,agreatdelight inthe holy commands of God, that is, a delight to be conformable untothem."BlessedisthemanthatfeareththeLord,thatdelightethgreatlyinhis commandments" (Psa 112:1). This confirmeth that which was saidbefore, towit, thatthis fearprovokethtoaholyandreverentuseof themeans;forthatcannotbe,whenthereisnotanholy,yea,agreatdelightin the commandments.Wherefore this fearmaketh the sinner to abhorthatwhich issin,because that iscontrary to theobjectofhisdelight.Amancannotdelighthimselfat thesametime in thingsdirectlyoppositeone to another, as sin and the holy commandment is; therefore Christsaithoftheservant,hecannotloveGodandmammon—"Yecannotserve

Godandmammon."Ifhecleavestotheone,hemusthateanddespisetheother; there cannot at the same time be service to both, because thatthemselves are at enmity one with the other. So is sin and thecommandment. Therefore if a man delighteth himself in thecommandment,hehateththatwhichisopposite,whichissin:howmuchmorewhenhe greatly delighteth in the commandment?Now, this holyfearofGodittakeththeheartandaffectionsfromsin,andsetteththemupontheholycommandment.Thereforesuchamanisrightlyesteemedblessed. For no profession makes a man blessed but that which isaccompaniedwithanalienationoftheheartfromsin,nordothanythingdothatwhenthisholyfeariswanting.Itisfromthisfearthen,thatloveto, and delight in, the holy commandment floweth, and so by that thesinner is kept from those falls and dangers of miscarrying that otherprofessorsaresosubjectto:hegreatlydelightsinthecommandment.

Fourteenth.Lastly,There floweth fromthis fearofGod,enlargementofheart."Thenthoushaltsee,andflowtogether,andthineheartshallfear,and be enlarged" (Isa 60:5). "Thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged,"enlargedtoGod-ward,enlargedtohisways,enlargedtohisholypeople,enlarged in love after the salvation of others. Indeedwhen this fear ofGod iswanting, though theprofessionbenever so famous, theheart isshut up and straitened, and nothing is done in that princely free spiritwhichiscalled"thespiritofthefearoftheLord"(Psa51:12;Isa11:2).Butwithgrudging, legally, orwithdesireof vain-glory, this enlargednessofheartiswanting,forthatflowsfromthisfearoftheLord.

ThushaveIshowedyoubothwhatthisfearofGodis,whatitflowsfrom,andalsowhatdothflowfromit.IcomenowtoshowyousomeOFTHEPRIVILEGESOFTHEMTHATTHUSDOFEARTHELORD.

Footnotes

15.Alas!how fewattain to thismostblessed state.Todelight so in theWord— to make it so much our daily study, and the object of ourmeditationsatnight,astohave"itsveryformengravenuponthefaceofoursouls."Happyisthemanthatisinsuchacase.Omysoul,whyisit

notthycase?—Ed.[15]

16.The filial fearofGod ismostprevalentwhen theheart is impressedwitha lively senseof the loveofGodmanifested inChrist.Asadutifulandobedientchildfearstooffendanaffectionateparent,orasapersonofgrateful heart would be extremely careful not to grieve a kind andbountiful friend, who is continually loading him with favours andpromotinghistruehappiness;so,andmuchmore,willthegracioussoulbeafraidofdispleasingtheLord,hisbountifulandunweariedbenefactor,whoiscrowninghimwith lovingkindnessandtendermercies.—Mason.[16]

17. It is no new thing for those who are in public places, to seekthemselvesmorethanthepublicwelfare;nay,andtoservethemselvesbythepublicloss.—Henry.[17]

18.HowdoesthisremindusofthecharacterofBy-endsinthe"Pilgrim'sProgress"!—Ed.[18]

OFTHEPRIVILEGESOFTHEMTHATTHUSDOFEARTHELORD.

HavingthusbrieflyhandledinparticularthusfarthisfearofGod,Ishallnow show you certain of the excellent privileges of them that fear theLord,notthattheyarenotprivilegesthathavebeenalreadymentioned;forwhat greater privileges than to have this fear producing in the soulsuchexcellentthingssonecessaryforusforgood,bothwithreferencetothisworld,andthatwhichistocome?Butbecausethosefourteenabovenamed do rather flow from this grace of fear where it is, than from apromise to the person that hath it, therefore I have chosen rather todiscourseof themas the fruitsandeffectsof fear, thanotherwise.Now,besidesall these, there isentailedbypromise to theman thathath thisfearmanyotherblessedprivileges, thewhichI shallnow inabriefwaylayopenuntoyou.

FirstPrivilege, then.Thatman that feareth theLord,hasagrantandalicense"totrustintheLord,"withanaffirmationthatheistheirhelp,andtheirshield—"YethatfeartheLord,trustintheLord;heistheirhelpandtheirshield"(Psa115:11).Nowwhataprivilegeisthis!anexhortationingeneral to sinners, as sinners, to trust in him, is a privilege great andglorious;butforamantobesingledoutfromhisneighbours,foramantobespokentofromheaven,asitwerebyname,andtobetoldthatGodhathgivenhimalicense,aspecialandpeculiargranttotrustinhim,thisis abundantlymore; and yet this is the grant that God hath given thatman!He hath, I say, a license to do it—a license indicted by theHolyGhost,andleftuponrecordforthosetobebornthatshallfeartheLord,totrustinhim.Andnotonlyso,butasthetextaffirmeth,"heistheirhelpand their shield."Theirhelpunderall theirweaknessesand infirmities,andashieldtodefendthemagainstalltheassaultsofthedevilandthisworld. So then, theman that feareth the Lord is licensed tomake theLordhis stayandGodofhis salvation, the succouranddelivererofhissoul.Hewilldefendhimbecausehisfearisinhisheart.OyeservantsoftheLord,yethatfearhim,liveinthecomfortofthis;boldlymakeuseofitwhenyouareinstraits,andputyourtrustundertheshadowofhiswings,

forindeedhewouldhaveyoudoso,becauseyoudofeartheLord.

Second Privilege. God hath also proclaimed concerning the man thatfeareththeLord,thathewillalsobehisteacherandguideinthewaythatheshallchoose,andhathmoreoverpromisedconcerningsuch,thattheirsoul shall dwell at ease—"Whatman is he that feareth the Lord?" saysDavid,"himshallhe teach in theway thatheshall choose" (Psa25:12).Now,tobetaughtofGod,whatlikeit?yea,whatliketobetaughtinthewaythatthoushaltchoose?Thouhastchosenthewaytolife,God'sway;butperhapsthyignoranceaboutitissogreat,andthosethattempttheeto turnaside somanyand so subtle, that they seem tooutwit theeandconfoundtheewiththeirguile.Well,buttheLordwhomthoufearestwillnot leave thee to thy ignorance, nor yet to thine enemies' power orsubtlety,butwilltakeituponhimselftobethyteacherandthyguide,andthat in the way that thou hast chosen. Hear, then, and behold thyprivilege,OthouthatfearesttheLord;andwhoeverwanders,turnsaside,andswervethfromthewayofsalvation,whoeverisbenighted,andlostinthemidstofdarkness,thoushaltfindthewaytotheheavenandtheglorythatthouhastchosen.

Further,Hedothnotonlysay, thathewill teachthemtheway, for thatmustofnecessitybesupplied,buthesaysalsothathewillteachsuchinit—"Himshallheteachinthewaythatheshallchoose."Thisargueththat,as thou shalt know, so theway shall bemade, by the communion thatthoushalthavewithGodtherein,sweetandpleasanttothee.Forthistextpromiseth unto theman that feareth the Lord, the presence, company,anddiscoveryof themindofGod,whilehe is going in theway thathehath chosen. It is saidof the good scribe, thathe is instructedunto, aswellasinto,thewayofthekingdomofGod(Matt13:52).Instructedunto;thatis,hehaththeheartandmindofGodstilldiscoveredtohiminthewaythathehathchosen,evenallthewayfromthisworldtothatwhichisto come, evenuntil he shall come to the very gate anddoor of heaven.What the disciples saidwas the effect of the presence ofChrist, towit,"that theirheartsdidburnwithin themwhile he talked to themby theway,"shallbealsofulfilledinthee,hewillmeetwiththeeintheway,talkwiththeeintheway;hewillteachtheeinthewaythatthoushaltchoose(Luke24:32).

Third Privilege. Dost thou fear the Lord? he will open his secret untothee,eventhatwhichhehathhidandkeepsclosefromalltheworld,towit,thesecretofhiscovenantandofthyconcerntherein—"ThesecretoftheLordiswiththemthatfearhim,andhewillshewthemhiscovenant"(Psa25:14).This,then,furtherconfirmethwhatwassaidbutjustabove;his secret shall be with them, and his covenant shall be showed untothem.His secret, to wit, that which hath been kept hid from ages andgenerations; thatwhichhemanifestethonly to thesaints,orholyones;that is, his Christ, for he it is that is hid inGod, and that noman canknowbuthetowhomtheFathershallrevealhim(Matt11:27).

ButO!whatistherewrappedupinthisChrist,thissecretofGod?why,all treasures of life, of heaven, and happiness—"In him are hid all thetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge."And"inhimdwellethallthefulnessoftheGodheadbodily"(Col2).

ThisalsoisthathiddenOne,thatissofullofgracetosavesinners,andsofull of truth and faithfulness to keep promise and covenantwith them,thattheireyesmustneedsconvey,evenbyeveryglancetheymakeuponhisperson,offices,andrelation,suchaffectingravishmentstotheheart,thatitwouldpleasethemthatseehim,eventobekilledwiththatsight.This secretof theLordshallbe,nay is,with them that fearhim, forhedwelleth in their heart by faith. "Andhewill shew themhis covenant."Thatis,thecovenantthatisconfirmedofGodinChrist,thateverlastingandeternal covenant, and showhim too thathehimself iswrappeduptherein, as in a bundle of life with the Lord his God. These are thethoughts,purposes,andpromisesofGodtothemthatfearhim.

FourthPrivilege.DostthoufeartheLord?hiseyeisalwaysovertheeforgood,tokeeptheefromallevil—"BeholdtheeyeoftheLordisuponthemthat fear him, upon them that hope in hismercy; to deliver their soulfromdeath,andtokeepthemaliveinfamine"(Psa33:18,19).Hiseyeisuponthem;thatis,towatchoverthemforgood.HethatkeepethIsraelneither slumbers nor sleeps.His eyes are upon them, and hewill keepthemasashepherddothhissheep;thatis,fromthosewolvesthatseektodevourthem,andtoswallowthemupindeath.Hiseyesareuponthem;fortheyaretheobjectofhisdelight, theraritiesof theworld, inwhom,saithhe,isallmydelight.Hiseyeisuponthem,asIsaidbefore,toteach

andinstructthem—"Iwillinstructtheeandteachtheeinthewaywhichthou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psa 32:8; 2 Chron7:15,16). The eye of the Lord, therefore, is upon them, not to takeadvantageof them, todestroy themfor theirsins,but toguide, tohelp,anddeliverthemfromdeath;fromthatdeaththatwouldfeedupontheirsouls—"To deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive infamine."Takedeathherefordeathspiritual,anddeatheternal;andthefaminehere,notforthatthatisforwantofbreadandwater,butforthatwhichcomesonmanyforwantoftheWordoftheLord(Rev20:14;Amos8:11,12);and then the sense is this, theman that feareth theLordshallneitherdie spirituallynor eternally; forGodwill keephimwithhis eyefromallthosethingsthatwouldinsuchamannerkillhim.Again,shouldthere be a famine of theWord; should there want both theWord andthemthatpreach it in theplacethat thoudostdwell,yetbread shallbegiventhee,andthywatershallbesure;thoushaltnotdieofthefamine,becausethoufearestGod.Isay,thatmanshallnot,beholdheshallnot,because he feareth God, and this the next head doth yet more fullymanifest.

FifthPrivilege.DostthoufearGod?fearhimforthisadvantagemoreandmore—"Ofear theLord,yehissaints, for there isnowant to themthatfearhim.Theyoung lionsdo lackandsufferhunger,but they thatseektheLord," that fearhim,"shallnotwantanygood thing" (Psa34:9,10).NotanythingthatGodseesgoodforthemshallthosemenwantthatfeartheLord. If healthwill do themgood, if sicknesswill do them good, ifricheswilldothemgood,ifpovertywilldothemgood,iflifewilldothemgood,ifdeathwilldothemgood,thentheyshallnotwantthem,neithershall any of these come nigh them, if theywill not do them good. Thelions,thewickedpeople[19]oftheworldthatfearnotGod,arenotmadesharersinthisgreatprivilege;allthingsfallouttothemcontrary,becausethey fearnotGod. In themidstof their sufficiency, theyare inwantofthatgoodthatGodputs into theworst things that themanthat fearethGoddothmeetwithintheworld.

SixthPrivilege.DostthoufearGod?hehathgivenchargetothearmiesofheavento lookafter, take chargeof, to campabout, and todeliver thee—"TheangeloftheLordencampethroundaboutthemthatfearhim,and

delivereththem"(Psa34:7).ThisalsoisaprivilegeentailedtothemthatinallgenerationsfeartheLord.Theangels,theheavenlycreatures,haveit in commission to take the charge of them that fear the Lord; one ofthem is able to slay ofmen in one night 185,000. These are they thatcamped about Elisha like horses of fire, and chariots of fire, when theenemycametodestroyhim.

They also helpedHezekiah against the band of the enemy, because hefearedGod(2Kings6:17; Isa 37:36; Jer26:19). "The angel of theLordencampethroundaboutthem" ; that is, lest theenemyshouldsetuponthemonanyside;but lethimcomewherehewill,behindorbefore,onthis side or that, the angel of the Lord is there to defend them. "Theangel." Itmaybespoken in thesingularnumber,perhaps, toshowthatevery one that fearethGod hath his angel to attend on him, and servehim.Whenthechurch,intheActs,wastoldthatPeterstoodatthedoorandknocked;atfirsttheycountedthemessengermad,butwhenshedidconstantly affirm it, they said, It is his angel (Acts 12:13-15). So Christsaithofthechildrenthatcameuntohim,"theirangelsbeholdthefaceofmyFatherwhich is inheaven."Theirangels; that is, thoseof themthatfearedGod,hadeachof themhisangel,whohadacharge fromGod tokeepthemintheirway.Welittlethinkofthis,yetthisistheprivilegeofthemthatfeartheLord;yea,ifneedbe,theyshallallcomedowntohelpthemandtodeliverthem,ratherthan,contrarytothemindoftheirGod,theyshouldbyanybeabused—"Aretheynotallministeringspirits,sentforthtoministerforthemwhoshallbeheirsofsalvation?"(Heb1:14).

[Quest.]Buthowdotheydeliverthem?forsosaysthetext—"Theangelofthe Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereththem."Answ.ThewaythattheytaketodeliverthemthatfeartheLord,issometimesbysmitingoftheirenemieswithblindness,thattheymaynotfind them; and so they served the enemies of Lot (Gen 19:10,11).Sometimesbysmitingofthemwithdeadlyfear;andsotheyservedthosethatlaidsiegeagainstSamaria(2Kings7:6).Andsometimesbysmitingofthemevenwithdeathitself;andthustheyservedHerod,afterhehadattemptedtokilltheapostleJames,andalsosoughttovexcertainothersofthechurch(Acts12).TheseangelsthatareservantstothemthatfeartheLord,arethemthatwill,ifGoddothbidthem,revengethequarrelof

his servants upon the stoutest monarch on earth. This, therefore, is agloriousprivilegeof thementhat fear theLord.Alas! theyare, someofthem, somean that they are countednotworth taking notice of by thehighonesof theworld;but theirbettersdorespect them.TheangelsofGodcountnot themselves toogoodtoattendonthem,andcampaboutthemtodeliver them.This, then, is themanthathathhisangel towaituponhim,evenhethatfearethGod.

Seventh Privilege.Dost thou fear the Lord? salvation is nigh unto thee—"Surelyhissalvationisnighthemthatfearhim,thatglorymaydwellinourland"(Psa85:9).ThisisanotherprivilegeforthemthatfeartheLord.Itoldyoubefore,thattheangeloftheLorddidencampaboutthem,butnow he saith, "his salvation is also nigh them" ; the which although itdothnotaltogetherexcludetheconductofangels,[20]butincludethem;yetitlookethfurther."Surelyhissalvation,"hissaving,pardoninggrace,"isnighthemthatfearhim";thatis,tosavethemoutofthehandoftheirspiritualenemies.Thedevil,andsin,anddeath,doalwayswaiteven todevour them that fear the Lord, but to deliver them from these hissalvation doth attend them. So then, if Satan tempts, here is theirsalvation nigh; if sin, by breaking forth, beguiles them, here is God'ssalvationnighthem;yea, ifdeath itself shall suddenlyseizeupon them,why,hereistheirGod'ssalvationnighthem.

Ihave seen that greatmen's little childrenmust gonowhitherwithouttheir nurses be at hand. If they go abroad, their nurses must go withthem; if theygo tomeals, theirnursesmustgowith them; if theygo tobed, their nursesmust gowith them; yea, and if they fall asleep, theirnursesmuststandbythem.Omybrethren,thoselittleonesthatfeartheLord, theyare thechildrenof thehighest, therefore they shallnotwalkalone,beattheirspiritualmeatsalone,gototheirsick-beds,ortotheirgravesalone;thesalvationoftheirGodisnighthem,todeliverthemfromtheevil.ThisisthentheglorythatdwellsinthelandofthemthatfeartheLord.

EighthPrivilege.DostthoufeartheLord?hearkenyetagain—"Themercyof theLord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,and his righteousness unto children's children" (Psa 103:17). This stillconfirmswhatwas last asserted, that is, that his salvation is nigh unto

them. His salvation, that is, pardoning mercy, that is nigh them. Butmindit,therehesaysitisnighthem;buthereitisuponthem.Hismercyisupon them, it covereth themallover, itencompasseth themaboutaswithashield.Thereforetheyaresaidinanotherplacetobeclothedwithsalvation,andcoveredwith therobeof righteousness.Themercyof theLord is upon them, that is, as I said, to shelter and defend them. Themercy, the pardoning preservingmercy, themercy of the Lord is uponthem,whoishethenthatcancondemnthem?(Rom8).

Butthereyetismorebehind,"ThemercyoftheLordisfromeverlastingtoeverlastinguponthem."Itwasdesignedforthembeforetheworldwas,andshallbeuponthemwhentheworlditselfisended;fromeverlastingto everlasting it is on them that fear him. This from everlasting toeverlastingisthatbywhich,inanotherplace,theeternityofGodhimselfisdeclared—"Fromeverlasting to everlasting, thouartGod" (Psa90:2).Themeaning, then,maybe this; that so longasGodhathhisbeing, solongshallthemanthatfearethhimfindmercyathishand.Accordingtothat ofMoses—"The eternalGod is thy refuge, and underneath are theeverlastingarms;andheshallthrustouttheenemyfrombeforethee,andshallsay,Destroythem"(Deut33:27).

Child of God, thou that fearest God, here is mercy nigh thee, mercyenough,everlastingmercyuponthee.Thisislong-livedmercy.Itwilllivelongerthanthysin,itwilllivelongerthantemptation,itwill livelongerthanthysorrows,itwilllivelongerthanthypersecutors.Itismercyfromeverlastingtocontrivethysalvation,andmercytoeverlastingtoweatherit outwith all thy adversaries.Nowwhat canhell anddeathdo tohimthat hath this mercy of God upon him? And this hath the man thatfeareth the Lord. Take that other blessed word, and O thou man thatfearest the Lord, hang it like a chain of gold about thy neck—"As theheaven ishighabove the earth, so great is hismercy toward them thatfearhim" (Psa 103:11). Ifmercy as big, as high, and as good asheavenitselfwillbeaprivilege,themanthatfearethGodshallhaveaprivilege.

Ninth Privilege. Dost thou fear God?—"Like as a father pitieth hischildren,sotheLordpitieththemthatfearhim"(Psa103:13).

"TheLordpitieththemthatfearhim";thatis,condolethandisaffected,

feeleth and sympathizethwith them in all their afflictions. It is a greatmatterforapoormantobeinthismannerintheaffectionsofthegreatandmighty,butforapoorsinnertobethusintheheartandaffectionsofGod,andtheythatfearhimareso,thisisastonishingtoconsider."Inhisloveandinhispityheredeemedthem."Inhisloveandinhispity!"Inalltheirafflictionhewasafflicted,andtheangelofhispresencesavedthem;in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and he bare them, andcarriedthemallthedaysofold"(Isa63:9).Isay,inthatheissaidtopitythem, it is asmuch as to say, he condoleth, feeleth, and sympathizethwith them in all their afflictions and temptations. So that this is thehappinessofhim that fearethGod,hehasaGod topityhimand tobetouchedwithallhismiseries.It issaidinJudges,"HissoulwasgrievedforthemiseryofIsrael"(Judg10:16).AndintheHebrews,heis"touchedwith the feeling of our infirmities," and can "succour them that aretempted"(4:15,2:17,18).

Butfurther,letustakenoticeofthecomparison."Asafatherpitiethhischildren, so theLordpitieth themthat fearhim."Here isnotonlypity,but the pity of a relation, a father. It is said in another place; "Can awoman," amother, "forget her sucking child, that she should not havecompassiononthesonofherwomb?yea,theymay,yetwillnotIforgetthee." The pity of neighbours and acquaintance helpeth in times ofdistress, but thepity of a father and amother is pitywith an over andabove. "The Lord," says James, "is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."PharaohcalledJosephhistenderfather,[21]becauseheprovidedforhimagainst the famine,buthow tendera father isGod!how full ofbowels!howfullofpity! (James5:11;Gen41:43). It is said, thatwhenEphraimwasafflicted,God'sbowelsweretroubledforhim,andturnedwithinhimtowardshim.OthatthemanthatfeareththeLorddidbutbelievethepityandbowelsthatareintheheartofGodandhisfathertowardshim(Jer31:18-20).

TenthPrivilege.Dost thou fearGod?—"Hewill fulfil thedesireof themthatfearhim;healsowillheartheircry,andwillsavethem"(Psa145:19).AlmostallthoseplacesthatmakementionofthementhatfearGod,doinsinuateasiftheystillwereunderaffliction,orindangerbyreasonofanenemy.ButIsay,hereisstilltheirprivilege,theirGodistheirfatherand

pitiesthem—"Hewillfulfilthedesireofthemthatfearhim."Wherenowis theman that feareth the Lord? let himhearken to this.What sayestthou,poorsoul?willthiscontentthee,theLordwillfulfilthydesires?ItisintimatedofAdonijah,thatDavidhisfatherdidlethimhavehisheadandhiswillinallthings."Hisfather,"saysthetext,"hadnotdispleasedhimatanytimein(somuchas)saying,Whyhastthoudoneso?"(1Kings1:6).Buthereismore,hereisapromisetogranttheethewholedesireofthyheart, according to the prayer of holy David, "The Lord grant thee,accordingtothineownheart,andfulfilallthycounsel."Andagain,"TheLordfulfilallthypetitions"(Psa20).

OthouthatfearesttheLord,whatisthydesire?Allmydesire,saysDavid,isallmysalvation(2Sam23:5),sosayestthou,"Allmysalvation"is"allmydesire."Well,thedesireofthysoulisgrantedthee,yea,Godhimselfhath engaged himself even to fulfil this thy desire—"He will fulfil thedesire of them that fear him, he also will hear their cry, and will savethem."Othisdesirewhenitcometh,whatatreeoflifewillitbetothee!Thoudesiresttoberidofthypresenttrouble;theLordshallridtheeoutoftrouble.Thoudesiresttobedeliveredfromtemptation;theLordshalldeliver thee out of temptation. Thou desirest to be delivered from thybodyofdeath;andtheLordshallchangethisthyvilebody,thatitmaybeliketohisgloriousbody.ThoudesiresttobeinthepresenceofGod,andamong the angels in heaven. This thy desire also shall be fulfilled, andthoushaltbemadeequaltotheangels(Exo6:6;2Peter2:9;Phil3:20,21;Luke16:22,20:35,36).Obutitislongfirst!Well,learnfirsttoliveuponthyportioninthepromiseof it,andthatwillmakethyexpectationof itsweet.Godwillfulfilthydesires,Godwilldoit,thoughittarrylong.Waitforit,becauseitwillsurelycome,itwillnottarry.

Eleventh Privilege. Dost thou fear God?—"The Lord taketh pleasure inthemthatfearhim"(Psa147:11).TheythatfearGodareamonghischiefdelights. He delights in his Son, he delights in his works, and takespleasureinthemthatfearhim.Asamantakespleasureinhiswife,inhischildren,inhisgold, inhis jewels;sothemanthatfearstheLordistheobjectofhisdelight.Hetakespleasureintheirprosperity,andthereforesendeth themhealth from the sanctuary, andmakes themdrink of theriverofhispleasures(Psa35:27)."Theyshallbeabundantlysatisfiedwith

thefatnessofthyhouse;andthoushaltmakethemdrinkoftheriverofthypleasures"(Psa36:8).Thatorthosethatwetakepleasurein,thatorthosewelovetobeautifyandadornwithmanyornaments.Wecountnocosttoomuchtobebestowedonthoseinwhomweplaceourdelight,andwhomwemaketheobjectofourpleasure.AndeventhusitiswithGod."FortheLordtakethpleasure inhispeople,"andwhatfollows?"hewillbeautifythemeekwithsalvation"(Psa149:4).

Those in whom we delight, we take pleasure in their actions; yea, weteach them, and give them such rules and laws towalk by, asmay yetmakethemthatwelovemorepleasurableinoureyes.ThereforetheythatfearGod,sincetheyaretheobjectofhispleasure,aretaughttoknowhowtopleasehimineverything(1Thess4:1).Andhenceitissaid,thatheisravishedwith their looks, thathedelighteth in their cry, and that he ispleasedwiththeirwalking(Can4:9;Prov15:8,11:20).

Those inwhomwedelightand takepleasure,many thingswewillbearandputup that theydo, though theybenotaccording toourminds.Amanwillsufferthatin,andputupthatat,thehandofthechildorwifeofhispleasure,thathewillnotpassbynorputupinanother.Theyaremyjewels, saysGod, even them that fearme; and Iwill spare them, in alltheircomings-shortofmywill,"evenasamansparethhisownsonthatservethhim"(Mal3:16,17).OhowhappyisthemanthatfearethGod!Hisgoodthoughts,hisgoodattemptstoservehim,andhisgoodlifepleaseshim,becausehefearethGod.

Youknowhowpleasinginoureyestheactionsofourchildrenare,whenweknowthattheydowhattheydoevenofareverentfearandaweofus;yea, though thatwhich theydo amounts but to little,we take itwell attheirhands,andarepleasedtherewith.Thewomanthatcast inhertwomitesintothetreasury,castinnotmuch,fortheybothdidbutmakeonefarthing; yet how doth the Lord Jesus trumpet her up,[22] he hadpleasure inher,and inheraction(Mark12:41-44).This, therefore, thattheLordtakethpleasureinthemthatfearhim, isanotheroftheirgreatprivileges.

TwelfthPrivilege.DostthoufearGod?theleastdramofthatfeargiveththeprivilegetobeblessedwiththebiggestsaint—"Hewillblessthemthat

fear the Lord, small and great" (Psa 115:13). This word small may betakenthreeways—1.Forthosethataresmallinesteem,forthosethatarebutlittleaccountedof(Judg6:15;1Sam18:23).Artthousmallorlittleinthis sense, yet if thou fearestGod, thouart sure tobeblessed. "Hewillblessthemthatfearhim,smallandgreat,"bethouneversosmallintheworld'seyes,inthineowneyes,inthesaints'eyes,assometimesonesaintislittleinanothersaint'seye;yetthou,becausethoufearestGod,artputamong the blessed. 2.By small, sometimes ismeant those that are butsmallofstature,oryounginyears, littlechildren, thatareeasilypassedbyandlookedover:asthosethatsangHosannainthetemplewere,whenthePhariseesderidinglysaidofthemtoChrist,"Hearestthouwhatthesesay?"(Matt21:16).Well,butChristwouldnotdespisethem,ofthemthatfeared God, but preferred them by the Scripture testimony far beforethose that did contemn them. Little children, how small soever, andalthoughofnever so small esteemwithmen, shall also, if they fear theLord, be blessedwith the greatest saints—"Hewill bless them that fearhim, small andgreat." 3.By smallmay sometimesbemeant those thataresmallingraceorgifts;thesearesaidtobetheleastinthechurch,thatis,underthisconsideration,andsoarebyitleastesteemed(Matt25:45).ThusalsoisthatofChristtobeunderstood,"Inasmuchasyediditnottooneoftheleastofthese,yediditnottome"(1Cor6:4).

Artthouinthineownthoughts,orinthethoughtsofothers,oftheselastsmall ones, small in grace, small in gifts, small in esteem upon thisaccount, yet if thou fearest God, if thou fearest God indeed, thou artcertainlyblessedwiththebestofsaints.Theleaststarstandsasfixed,asthebiggestofthemall,inheaven."Hewillblessthemthatfearhim,smallandgreat."Hewillblessthem,thatis,withthesameblessingofeternallife. For the different degrees of grace in saints doth not make theblessing,astoitsnature,differ.Itisthesameheaven,thesamelife,thesame glory, and the same eternity of felicity that they are in the textpromised to be blessed with. That is observable which I mentionedbefore,whereChristatthedayofjudgmentparticularlymentionethandowneththeleast—"Inasmuchasyediditnottooneoftheleast."Theleastthenwasthere,inhiskingdomandinhisglory,aswellasthebiggestofall. "He will bless them that fear him, small and great." The small arenamedfirstinthetext,andaresothefirstinrank;itmaybetoshowthat

though theymaybe slighted and little set by in theworld, yet they aremuchsetbyintheeyesoftheLord.

Aregreatsaintsonlytohavethekingdom,andthegloryeverlasting?Aregreatworksonlytoberewarded?worksthataredonebyvirtueofgreatgrace,andtheabundanceofthegiftsoftheHolyGhost?No:"Whosoevershallgivetodrinkuntooneoftheselittleonesacupofcoldwateronly,inthenameofadisciple,verilyIsayuntoyou,heshallinnowiselosehis(adisciple's)reward."Mark,hereisbutalittlegift,acupofcoldwater,andthat given to a little saint, butboth taken special notice of by ourLordJesus Christ (Matt 10:42). "He will give reward to his servants theprophets, and to his saints, and to them that fear his name, small andgreat" (Rev11:18).Thesmall, therefore,among themthat fearGod, areblessedwith the great, as the great, with the same salvation, the sameglory, and the same eternal life; and they shall have, even as the greatonesalsoshall,asmuchastheycancarry;asmuchastheirhearts,souls,bodies,andcapacitiescanhold.

ThirteenthPrivilege.Dost thou fearGod?why, theHolyGhosthathonpurposeinditedfortheeawholepsalmtosingconcerningthyself.Sothatthoumayest evenas thouart in thy calling, bed, journey, orwhenever,singoutthineownblessedandhappyconditiontothineowncomfortandthecomfortofthyfellows.Thepsalmiscalledthe128thPsalm;Iwillsetitbeforethee,bothasitisinthereading[23]andinthesingingPsalms—

"BlessediseveryonethatfeareththeLord,thatwalkethinhisways.Forthoushalteatthelabourofthinehands:happyshaltthoube,anditshallbewellwiththee.Thywifeshallbeasafruitfulvinebythesidesofthinehouse;thychildren,likeoliveplantsroundaboutthytable.Behold,thatthusshallthemanbeblessedthatfeareththeLord.TheLordshallblesstheeoutofZion;andthoushaltseethegoodofJerusalemallthedaysofthy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace uponIsrael."

ASITISSUNG.

BlessedartthouthatfearestGod,Andwalkestinhisway:

Forofthylabourthoushalteat;Happyartthou,Isay!Likefruitfulvinesonthyhouseside,Sodoththywifespringout;ThychildrenstandlikeoliveplantsThytableroundabout.

ThusartthoublestthatfearestGod,AndheshalllettheeseeThepromisedJerusalem,Andherfelicity.Thoushaltthychildren'schildrensee,Tothygreatjoy'sincrease;AndlikewisegraceonIsrael,Prosperityandpeace.[24]

And now I have done with the privileges when I have removed oneobjection.

Object. But the Scripture says, "perfect love casteth our fear" ; andtherefore it seems that saints, after that a spirit of adoption is come,shouldnotfear,butdotheirduty,asanotherScripturesaith,withoutit(1John4:18;Luke1:74,75).

Answ.Fear,asIhaveshowedyou,maybetakenseveralways.1.Itmaybetakenforthefearofdevils.2.Itmaybetakenforthefearofreprobates.3.ItmaybetakenforthefearthatiswroughtinthegodlybytheSpiritasaspiritofbondage;or,4.ItmaybetakenforthefearthatIhavebeenbutnowdiscoursingof.

Nowthefearthatperfectlovecastsoutcannotbethatson-like,graciousfearofGod, that Ihave in this lastplacebeen treatingof;because thatfear that love casts out hath torment, but so has not the son-like fear.Thereforethefearthatlovecastsoutiseitherthatfearthatislikethefearof devils and reprobates, or that fear that is begot in the heart by theSpiritofGodasaspiritofbondage,orboth;for,indeed,allthesekindsoffearhavetorment,andthereforemaybecastout;andaresobythespiritof adoption,which is called the spirit of faithand love,whenhe comes

withpowerintothesoul;sothatwithoutthisfearweshouldservehim.ButtoarguefromthesetextsthatweoughtnottofearGod,ortomixfearwith our worship of him, is as much as to say that by the spirit ofadoptionwearemadeveryrogues;fornottofearGodisbytheScriptureappliedtosuch(Luke23:40).ButforwhatIhaveaffirmedtheScripturedothplentifullyconfirm,saying,"Happy is themanthat fearethalway."Andagain, "It shallbewellwith them that fearGod,which fear beforehim." Fear, therefore; the spirit of the fear of the Lord is a grace thatgreatly beautifies a Christian, his words, and all his ways: "WhereforenowletthefearoftheLordbeuponyou;takeheed,anddoit,forthereisnoiniquitywiththeLordourGod,norrespectofpersons,nortakingofgifts"(2Chron19:7).

Icomenowtomakesomeuseandapplicationofthisdoctrine.

Footnotes

19. So Ainsworth understands, p. 134, vol. 10. He renders it, "lurkinglions,whicharelusty,strong-toothed,fierce,roaring,andravenous.Andhereby,"sayshe,"maybemeanttherichandmightyoftheworld,whomGodoftenbringethtomisery.""Theythatareravenous,andpreyonallabout them, shallwant, but themeek shall inherit the earth; they shallnotwantwho,withquietobedience,workandmindtheirownbusiness;plain-heartedJacobhaspottageenough,whenEsau,thecunninghunter,isreadytoperish."Henry.—Ed.[19]

20. "Theconductofangels"meansnotmerely theirguidingpilgrims intheway, but also, in amilitary sense, a guard, orwhat is now called aconvoy.—Ed.[20]

21.Seemargin,Genesis41:43,and40:8.—Ed.[21]

22.Topublishbysoundoftrumpet,totrumpetgoodtidings.InBunyan'stimeitwasneverusedironically.—Ed.[22]

23.ThisiffromtheBible,andnotfromtheinferiorversionintheBookof

CommonPrayer,commonlycalledthereadingPsalms.—Ed.[23]

24.SternholdandHopkin'sedit.1635.—Theproprietyofsinginginpublicworship was strongly debated by some of the Nonconformists. Therewereveryweightyreasons,inpersecutingtimes,formeetingsbeingheldas quietly as possible. TheQuakers to this daydonot admit singing intheirassemblies.TheintroductionofthispsalmprovesthatBunyanwasacquainted with the "singing" Psalms, and, in all probability, practisedsinging in public worship. When James I. improved this version forchurchuse,calledthePsalmsofKINGDavid,translatedbyKINGJames,hislastfourlinesare—ThouofJerusalemshaltseeWhileasthouliv'stthegood,Thoushaltthychildren'schildrensee,AndpeaceonIsrael'sbrood.Howblessedarewe inourdaywith thepoetryofWatts,Wesley,andahostofothers,whohavesuppliedthechurchwithbeautifulsoul-inspiringcompositions,withoutfeartorestrainusinusingthem.—Ed.[24]

THEUSEOFTHISDOCTRINE.

Havingproceededthusfaraboutthisdoctrineof thefearofGod,Inowcometomakesomeuseandapplicationofthewhole;andmy

[USEFIRST,ofExamination.]

FIRSTUSEshallbeaUSEOFEXAMINATION.IsthisfearofGodsuchanexcellentthing?Is itattendedwithsomanyblessedprivileges?Thenthis should put us, every soul of us, upon a diligent examination ofourselves,towit,whetherthisgracebeinusornot,forifitbe,thenthouartoneof theseblessedones towhombelong these glorious privileges,forthouhastaninterestineveryofthem;butifitshallappearthatthisgrace isnot in thee, then thy state is fearfullymiserable, ashath partly

beenmanifestalready,andwillfurtherbeseeninwhatcomesafter.Now,thebetter tohelp thee to consider, andnot tomiss in findingoutwhatthouart in thy self-examination, Iwill speak to this—First. Ingeneral.Second.Inparticular.

First.Ingeneral.Nomanbringsthisgraceintotheworldwithhim.Everyonebynature isdestituteof it; fornaturallynone fearGod, there isnofear ofGod,noneof this graceof fearbefore their eyes, theydonot somuchasknowwhatitis;forthisfearflows,aswasshowedbefore,fromanewheart,faith,repentanceandthelike;ofwhichnewheart,faith,andrepentance, if thou be void, thou art also void of this godly fear.Menmusthaveamightychangeofheartandlife,orelsetheyarestrangerstothisfearofGod.Alas,howignorantarethemostofthis!Yea,andsomearenotafraidtosaytheyarenotchanged,nordesiresotobe.CanthesefearGod? can thesebepossessedwith this graceof fear?No: "Becausetheyhavenochanges,thereforetheyfearnotGod"(Psa55:19;Psa36:1;Rom3:18).

Wherefore, sinner, consider whoever thou art that art destitute of thisfearofGod,thouartvoidofallothergraces;forthisfear,asalsoIhaveshowed, floweth from thewhole stockofgracewhere it is.There isnotoneofthegracesoftheSpirit,butthisfearisinthebowelsofit;yea,asImaysay,thisfearistheflowerandbeautyofeverygrace;neitheristhereanything,letitlookasmuchlikegraceasitwill,thatwillbecountedsoindeed,ifthefruitthereofbenotthisfearofGod;wherefore,Isayagain,considerwellofthismatter,forasthoushaltbefoundwithreferencetothis grace, so shall thy judgment be. I have but briefly treated of thisgrace,yethaveendeavoured,withwordsasfitasIcould,todisplayitinitscoloursbeforethyface,firstbyshowingyouwhatthisfearofGodis,thenwhatitflowsfrom,asalsowhatdothflowfromit;towhich,aswassaidbefore,Ihaveaddedseveralprivilegesthatareannexedtothisfear,that by all, if itmay be, thoumayest see it if thou hast it, and thyselfwithout it if thou hast it not. Wherefore I refer thee thither again forinformation in this thing;or if thouart loath togive thebooka secondreading,butwiltgoontotheendnowthouartgottenhither;then

Second and particularly, I conclude with these several propositionsconcerningthosethatfearnotGod.

1.Thatman that isproud,andofahighand loftymind, fearsnotGod.Thisisplainfromtheexhortation,"Benothigh-minded,butfear"(Rom11:20).HereyouseethatahighmindandthefearofGodaresetindirectoppositiontheoneto theother;andthere is in them,closelyconcludedby theapostle, thatwhere indeed theone is, there cannotbe theother;wherethereisahighmind,thereisnotthefearofGod;andwherethereisthefearofGod,themindisnothighbutlowly.Canamanatthesametime be a proud man, and fear God too? Why, then, is it said Godbeholdeth every one that is proud, and abases him? and again, Hebeholdstheproudafaroff?Hethereforethatisproudofhisperson,ofhisriches,ofhisoffice,ofhisparts,andthe like, fearethnotGod.It isalsomanifest further, forGodresisteththeproud,whichhewouldnotdo, ifhefearedhim,butinthathesetshimatsuchadistancefromhim,inthathetestifiesthathewillabasehimandresisthim,it isevidentthatheisnotthemanthathaththisgraceoffear;forthatman,asIhaveshowedyou, is theman ofGod's delight, the object of his pleasure (Psa 138:6;James4:6;1Peter5:5;Mal4:1).

2.ThecovetousmanfearethnotGod.Thisalso isplainfromtheWord,becauseitsettethcovetousnessandthefearofGodindirectopposition.MenthatfearGodaresaidtohatecovetousness(Exo18:21).Besides,thecovetous man is called an idolater, and is said to have no part in thekingdomof Christ and ofGod. And again, "Thewicked boasteth of hisheart'sdesire,andblesseththecovetous,whomtheLordabhorreth"(Eze33:31;Eph5:5;Psa10:3).Hearkentothis,youthathunttheworldtotakeit,youthatcarenothowyouget,soyougettheworld.Alsoyouthatmakeevenreligionyourstalking-horsetogettheworld,youfearnotGod.Andwhatwillyoudowhoseheartsgoafteryourcovetousness?youwhoareledbycovetousnessupanddown,as itwereby thenose; sometimes toswear, to lie, to cozen, and cheat and defraud, when you can get theadvantage to do it. You are far, very far, from the fear of God. "Yeadulterersandadulteresses,"forsothecovetousarecalled,"knowyenotthat the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever,therefore,willbeafriendoftheworld,istheenemyofGod"(James4:4).

3.The riotouseatersof fleshhavenot the fearofGod.For this isdone"withoutfear" (Jude 12).Gluttony is a sin little takennotice of, and as

littlerepentedofby those thatuse it,butyet it isodious in thesightofGod,andthepracticeofitademonstrationofthewantofhisfearintheheart: yea, so odious is it, that God forbids that his people should somuch as companywith such. "Be not," saith he, "among wine-bibbers,amongriotouseatersofflesh"(Prov23:20).Andhefurthertellsus,thatthey that are such, are spots and blemishes to those that keep themcompany,forindeedtheyfearnotGod(2Peter2:13;Rom13:13;1Peter4:4).Alas!somemenareasiftheywerefornoughtelsebornbuttoeatandtodrink,andpampertheircarcasseswiththedaintiesofthisworld,quiteforgettingwhyGodsentthemhither;butsuch,as issaid, fearnotGod,andsoconsequentlyareofthenumberofthemuponwhomthedayofjudgmentwillcomeatunawares(Luke21:34).

4.The liar isonethat fearsnotGod.Thisalso isevident fromtheplaintext,"Thouhastlied,"saiththeLord,"andhastnotrememberedme,norlaidittothyheart:havenotIheldmypeaceevenofold,"saiththeLord,"andthoufearestmenot?"(Isa57:11).Whatliethiswasisnotmaterial;itwas a lie, or a course of lying that is here rebuked, and the person orpersonsinthispractice,asissaid,weresuchasfearednotGod;acourseoflyingandthefearofGodcannotstandtogether.Thissinof lyingisacommonsin,and itwalketh in theworld in several guises.There is theprofane scoffing liar, there is the cunning artificial liar, there is thehypocriticalreligiousliar,withliarsofotherranksanddegrees.Butnoneof them all have the fear of God, nor shall any of them, they notrepenting,escapethedamnationofhell—"Allliarsshallhavetheirpartinthelakewhichburnethwithfireandbrimstone"(Rev21:8).HeavenandtheNewJerusalemarenotaplaceforsuch—"Andthereshallinnowiseenter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever workethabomination, ormaketh a lie" (v 27). Therefore another scripture saysthat all liars are without—"For without are dogs, and sorcerers, andwhoremongers,andmurderers,andidolaters,andwhosoeverlovethandmaketh a lie" (Rev 22:15). But this should not be their sentence,judgment, andcondemnation, if they thatare liarswere suchashad inthemthisblessedfearofGod.

5. They fear not God who cry unto him for help in the time of theircalamity, and when they are delivered, they return to their former

rebellion.This,Moses,inaspiritofprophecy,assertethatthetimeofthemighty judgment of the hail. Pharaoh thendesiredhim to pray toGodthat he would take away that judgment from him.Well, so I will, saidMoses,"Butasfortheeandthyservants,IknowthatyewillnotyetfeartheLordGod"(Exo9:30).Aswhoshouldsay,Iknowthatsosoonasthisjudgment is removed, you will to your old rebellion again. And whatgreater demonstration can be given that such a man feareth not God,than to cry toGod to be delivered from affliction to prosperity, and tospendthatprosperityinrebellionagainsthim?Thisiscryingformerciesthat theymaybe spent, or thatwemayhave something to spenduponour lusts, and in the service of Satan (John 4:1-3). Of these GodcomplainsinthesixteenthofEzekiel,andinthesecondofHosea—"Thouhast,"saithGod,"takenthyfairjewelsofmygoldandofmysilver,whichIhadgiventhee,andmadesttothyselfimages"&c.(Eze16:17).ThiswasforwantofthefearofGod.Manyofthiskindtherebenowintheworld,both ofmen, and women, and children; art not thou that readest thisbookofthisnumber?Hastthounotcriedforhealthwhensick,forwealthwhenpoor,whenlameforstrength,wheninprisonforliberty,andthenspent all that thou gottest by thyprayer in the service of Satan, and togratify thy lusts?Look to it, sinner, these thingsare signs thatwith thyheartthoufearestnotGod.

6.TheyfearnotGodthatway-layhispeopleandseektooverthrowthem,ortoturnthembesidestherightpath,astheyarejourneyingfromhenceto their eternal rest. This is evident from the plain text, "Remember,"saithGod, "whatAmalekdidunto theeby thewaywhen yewere comeforthoutofEgypt;howhemettheebytheway,andsmotethehindmostofthee,evenallthatwerefeeblebehindthee,whenthouwast faintandweary, and he feared not God" (Deut 25:17,18).Many such Amalekitesthere be now in theworld that set themselves against the feeble of theflock,againstthefeebleoftheflockespecially,stillsmitingthem,somebypower, somewith the tongue, some in their lives and estates, some intheirnamesandreputations,byscandals,slanders,andreproach,butthereasonof this their ungodly practice is this, they fear notGod. For didthey fearhim, theywouldbeafraid to somuchas think,muchmoreofattemptingtoafflictanddestroy,andcalumniatethechildrenofGod;butsuchtherehavebeen,suchthereare,andsuchtherewillbeintheworld,

forallmenfearnotGod.

7.TheyfearnotGodwhoseehishanduponbackslidersfortheirsins,andyetthemselveswillbebackslidersalso."Isaw,"saithGod,"whenforallthecauseswherebybackslidingIsraelcommittedadultery,Ihadputheraway, and given her a bill of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judahfeared not, butwent and played the harlot also" (Jer 3:8, 2:19). Judahsawthathersisterwasputaway,anddeliveredbyGodintothehandsofShalmaneser,whocarriedherawaybeyondBabylon,andyet,thoughshesaw it, shewentandplayed theharlotalso—asignofgreathardnessofheart,andofthewantofthefearofGodindeed.Forthisfear,haditbeeninherheart, itwouldhavetaughthertohavetrembledatthejudgmentthatwasexecuteduponhersister,andnot tohavegoneandplayed theharlot also: and not to have done it while her sister's judgmentwas insightandmemory.ButwhatisitthataheartthatisdestituteofthefearofGodwillnotdo?Nosincomesamiss tosuch:yea, theywillsin, theywilldothat themselves, for thedoingofwhichtheybelievesomeare inhell-fire,andallbecausetheyfearnotGod.

Butprayobserve,ifthosethattakenotwarningwhentheyseethehandofGoduponbacksliders,aresaid tohavenoneof the fearofGod,havethey it, thinkyou,that laystumbling-blocks in thewayofGod'speople,andusedevicestocausethemtobackslide,yea,rejoicewhentheycandothismischieftoany?andyetmanyofthissortthereareintheworld,thatevenrejoicewhentheyseeaprofessorfallintosin,andgobackfromhisprofession,asiftheyhadfoundsomeexcellentthing.

8.TheyfearnotGodwhocanlookuponalandaswallowinginsin,andyet are not humbled at the sight thereof. "Have ye," said God by theprophet to theJews, "forgotten thewickednessof your fathers, and thewickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives,which they have committed in the land of Judah and in the streets ofJerusalem?Theyarenothumbled to thisday,neitherhavetheyfeared,norwalked inmy law" (Jer44:9,10).Here is a land full ofwickedness,andnonetobewailit,fortheywantedthefearofGod,andlovetowalkinhis law.Buthowsayyou, if theythatarenothumbledattheirownandothers'wickednessaresaidnottofear,orhavethefearofGod,whatshallwe think or say of such that receive, that nourish and rejoice in such

wickedness?DotheyfearGod?Yea,whatshallwesayofsuchthataretheinventorsandpromotersofwickedness,asofoaths,beastly talk,or thelike?Dothey,doyouthink, fearGod?Onceagain,whatshallwesayofsuchthatcannotbecontenttobewickedthemselves,andtoinventandrejoice in other men's wickedness, but must hate, reproach, vilify andabusethosethattheycannotpersuadetobewicked?DotheyfearGod?

9. They that takemore heed to their own dreams than to theWord ofGod, fear not God. This also is plain from the Word—"For in themultitudeofdreams,therearealsodiversvanities,but fearthouGod";thatis,takeheeduntohisWord(Eccl5:7;Isa8:20).HerethefearingofGod isopposed toourovermuchheedingdreams:and there is implied,thatitisforwantofthefearofGodthatmensomuchheedthosethings.Whatwilltheysaytothisthatgivemoreheedtoasuggestionthatarisethfromtheirfoolishhearts,orthatiscastinthitherbythedevil,thantheydototheholyWordofGod?Theseare"filthydreamers."Also,whatshallwesaytothosethataremoreconfidentofthemercyofGodtotheirsoul,becausehehathblessedthemwithoutwardthings,thantheyareafraidofhiswrathandcondemnation,thoughthewholeoftheWordofGoddothfullyverifythesame?Theseare"filthydreamers"indeed.

A dream is either real, or so by way of semblance, and so some mendream sleeping, and somewaking (Isa 29:7). And as those that amandreamssleepingarecausedeitherbyGod,Satan,business, flesh,or thelike;soaretheythatamandreamswaking,topassbythosethatwehaveinoursleep.Men,whenbodilyawake,mayhavedreams,thatis,visionsfrom heaven; such are all they that have a tendency to discover to thesinner his state, or the state of the church according to theWord. Butthose that are fromSatan, business, and the flesh, are such—especiallythefirstandlast,towit, fromSatanandtheflesh—astendtoemboldenmentohopeforgoodinawaydisagreeingwiththeWordofGod.[25]

These Jude calls "filthy dreamers," such whose principles were theirdreams,andtheyledthem"todefiletheflesh,"thatis,byfornicationanduncleanness;"todespisedominion,"thatthereinsmightbelaidupontheneckoftheirlusts;"tospeakevilofdignities,"ofthosethatGodhadsetover them, for their governing in all the law and testament of Christ,these dreamt that to live like brutes, to be greedy of gain, and to take

awayforit,asCainandBalaamdidbytheirwiles,thelivesoftheownersthereof, would go for good coin in the best of trials. These also Peterspeaksof(2Peter2).Andhemakestheirdreams,thatJudecallsso,theirprinciple and errors in life anddoctrine; youmay read of them in thatwhole chapter, where they are called cursed children, and so byconsequencesuchasfearnotGod.

10.TheyfearnotGod,whoaresorcerers,adulterers,falseswearers,andthatoppressthehirelingofhiswages. It isacustomwithsomemen tokeepbackbyfraudfromthehirelingthatwhichbycovenanttheyagreedtopayfortheir labour;pinching,Isay,andparing fromthemtheirduethatofrightbelongstothem,tothemakingofthemcryin"theearsoftheLord of sabaoth" (James 5:4). These fear not God; they are reckonedamong theworst ofmen, and in their day of accountGod himself willbearwitnessagainstthem."AndI,"saithGod,"willcomeneartoyoutojudgment;andIwillbeaswiftwitnessagainsttheadulterers,andagainstthe false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in hiswages, the widow and the fatherless, and that turn aside the strangerfromhisright,andfearnotme,saiththeLord"(Mal3:5).

11.They fearnotGod,who insteadofpityingof, rail atGod'speople intheiraffliction,temptations,andpersecutions,andratherrejoiceandskipfor joy, than sympathize with them in their sorrow. Thus did David'senemies, thus did Israel's enemies, and thus did the thief, he railed atChrist when he hanged upon the cross, and was for that, even by hisfellow,accountedforonethatfearednotGod(Luke23:40;Psa35:1,22-26. Read Oba 10-15; Jer 48:2-6). This is a common thing among thechildrenofmen,eventorejoiceatthehurtofthemthatfearGod,anditarisethevenofaninwardhatredtogodliness.Theyhateyou,saithChrist,becausetheyhatedme.ThereforeChristtakeswhatisdonetohis,inthis,asdoneuntohimself,andsotoholinessof life.Butthisfallsharduponsuchasdespiseat,andrejoicetosee,God'speopleintheirgriefs,andthattake the advantage, as dogged Shimei did, to augment the griefs andafflictions ofGod's people (2 Sam 16:5-8).These fear notGod, they dothisofenmity,andtheirsinissuchaswillhardlybeblottedout(1Kings2:8,9).

12.TheyfearnotGod,whoarestrangerstotheeffectsoffear."IfIbea

master,whereismyfear?"Thatis,showthatIamsobyyourfearofmein the effects of your fear ofme. "You offer polluted bread uponminealtar."Thisisnotasignthatyoufearme,yeoffertheblindforsacrifices,whereismyfear?yeofferthelameandthesick,thesearenottheeffectsofthefearofGod(Mal1:6-8).Sinner, it isonethingtosay,I fearGod,andanothertofearhim indeed.Therefore,asJamessays, showmethyfaithby thyworks, sohereGod calls for a testimonyof thy fear by theeffectsoffear.Ihavealreadyshowedyouseveraleffectsoffear;ifthouartastrangertothem,thouartastrangertothisgraceoffear.Therefore,toconcludethis,itisnotafeignedprofessionthatwilldo;nothingisgoodhere,butwhatissaltedwiththisfearofGod,andtheythatfearhimaremenof truth,menof singlenessofheart,perfect,upright,humble,holymen;wherefore, reader,examine,andagain, Isayexamine,and lay theWord and thy heart together, before that thou concludest that thoufearestGod.

What! fearGod,and ina stateofnature? fearGodwithoutachangeofheart and life? What! fear God and be proud, and covetous, a wine-bibber, anda riotous eaterof flesh?How! fearGodanda liar, andonethat cries for mercies to spend them upon thy lusts? This would bestrange. True, thoumayest fear as devils do, butwhatwill that profit?Thoumayest by thy fear be driven away from God, from his worship,people,andways,butwhatwillthatavail?Itmaybethoumayestsofearatpresent,astobealittlestoppedinthysinfulcourse;perhapsthouhastgotaknockfromtheWordofGod,andareatpresentalittledazzledandhinderedfrombeing inthyformerandfullcareeraftersin;butwhatofthat?ifbythefearthatthouhast,thyheartisnotunitedtoGod,andtothe love of his Son, Word, and people, thy fear is nothing worth.[26]Manymenalso are forced to fearGod, asunderlings are forced to fearthosethatarebyforceabovethem.IfthouonlythusfearestGod,itisbuta false fear; it flows not from love to God: this fear brings not willingsubjection,which indeedbrings the effect of right fear; but being over-masteredlikeanhypocrite, thousubjectedthyselfbyfeignedobedience,beingforced,Isay,bymeredreadtodoit(Psa66:3).

ItissaidofDavid,"thatthefameofhimwentoutintoalllands,andtheLordbroughtthefearofhimuponallnations"(1Chron14:17).Butwhat,

didtheynowloveDavid?didtheynowchoosehimtobetheirking?noverily;they,manyofthem,ratherhatedhim,and,whentheycould,maderesistanceagainsthim.Theydidevenas thoudost—feared,butdidnotlove;feared,butdidnotchoosehisgovernmentthatruledoverthem.Itisalso said of Jehoshaphat, whenGod had subdued before him Ammon,Moab,andmountSeir,that"thefearofGodwasonallthekingdomsofthese countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against theenemiesofIsrael"(2Chron20:29).But,Isay,wasthisfear,thatiscallednowthefearofGod,anythingelse,butadreadofthegreatnessofpowerof the king? No verily, nor did that dread bring them into a willingsubjectionto,andlikingofhislawsandgovernment;itonlymadethemlikeslavesandunderlings,standinfearofhisexecutingthevengeanceofGoduponthem.

Thereforestill,notwithstandingthisfear,theywererebelstohimintheirhearts, and when occasion and advantage offered themselves, theyshowed it by rising in rebellion against Israel. This fear thereforeprovoked but feigned and forced obedience, a right emblem of theobedience of such, who being still enemies in their minds to God, areforcedbyvirtueofpresentconvictiontoyieldalittle,evenoffeartoGod,to hisWord, and to his ordinances.Reader,whoever thou art, think ofthis, it is thyconcern, thereforedo it,andexamine,andexamineagain,andlookdiligentlytothyheartinthineexamination,thatitbeguiletheenotaboutthisthysogreatconcern,asindeedthefearofGodis.

One thingmore, before I leave thee, letmewarn theeof.Takeheedofdeferring to fear the Lord. Somemen, when they have had convictionupon their heart that the fear ofGod is not in them, have through theoverpoweringoftheircorruptionsyetdeferredandputoffthefearofGodfromthem,asitissaidoftheminJeremiah:"Thispeoplehatharevoltingand a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.Neither say they intheir heart, Let us now fear the Lord" (Jer 5:23,24). They saw that thejudgmentsofGodattendedthembecausetheydidnotyetfearGod,butthatconvictionwouldnotprevailwiththemtosay,"LetusnowfeartheLord."Theywerefordeferringtofearhimstill;theywereforputtingoffhisfearfromthemlonger.Sinner,hastthoudeferredtofeartheLord?isthyheartstillsostubbornasnottosayyet,"LetusfeartheLord?"O!the

Lord hath taken notice of this thy rebellion, and is preparing somedreadful judgmentfor thee. "Shall Inot visit for these things? saith theLord; shall notmy soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" (v 29).Sinner, why shouldest thou pull vengeance down upon thee? whyshouldest thoupull vengeance down fromheavenupon thee? Look up,perhaps thouhastalreadybeenpulling thisgreatwhile, topull itdownupon thee. O! pull no longer; why shouldest thou be thine ownexecutioner?Falldownuponthyknees,man,andupwiththyheartandthyhandstotheGodthatdwellsintheheavens;cry,yeacryaloud,Lord,unitemineheart to fear thyname,anddonothardenmineheart fromthy fear. Thus holy men have cried before thee, and by crying havepreventedjudgment.

[AfewthingsthatmayprovoketheetofeartheLord.]

BeforeIleavethisuse,letmegivetheeafewthings,that,ifGodwill,mayprovoketheetofeartheLord.

1.ThemanthatfearethnotGod,carriethitworsetowardshimthanthebeast, thebrutebeast,dothcarry it towardsthatman."Thefearofyou,andthedreadofyou, shallbeuponeverybeastof theearth,"yea, "anduponevery fowl of the air," and "upon all thatmoveth upon the earth,anduponallthefishesofthesea"(Gen9:2).

Mark,allmycreaturesshallfearyou,anddreadyou,saysGod.Noneofthemshallbesohardyastocastofallreverenceofyou.Butwhatashameis this toman, thatGod should subject allhis creatures tohim,andheshouldrefusetostoophishearttoGod?Thebeast,thebird,thefish,andall,havea fearanddreadofman,yea,Godhasput it in theirhearts tofearman,andyetmanisvoidoffearanddread,Imeanofgodlyfearofhim,thatthuslovinglyhathputallthingsunderhim.Sinner,artthounotashamed,thatasillycow,asheep,yea,aswine,shouldbetterobservethelawofhiscreation,thanthoudostthelawofthyGod?

2. Consider, he that will not fear God, God will make him fear himwhetherhewillorno.Thatis,hethatdothnot,willnotnowsofearhim,aswillinglytobowbeforehim,andputhisneck intohisyoke.Godwillmakehim fearhimwhenhe comes to take vengeanceonhim.Thenhe

will surroundhimwith terror, andwith fearon every side, fearwithin,andfearwithout;fearshallbeintheway,eveninthewaythatthougoestwhenthouartgoingoutofthisworld;andthatwillbedreadfulfear(Eccl12:5)."Iwillbringtheirfearsuponthem,"saiththeLord(Isa66:4).

3. He that fears not God now, the Lord shall laugh at his fears then.Sinner,Godwillbeevenwithallthemthatchoosenottohavehisfearintheirhearts:forashecallsandtheyhearnotnow,sotheyshallcry,yea,howl then, and hewill laugh at their fears. "I will laugh," saith he, "attheir destruction; I will mock when their fear cometh, when your fearcomethasdesolationandyourdestructioncomethasawhirlwind,whendistressandanguishcomethuponyou;thenshalltheycalluponme,butIwillnotanswer:theyshallseekmeearly,buttheyshallnotfindme,forthattheyhatedknowledge,anddidnotchoosethefearoftheLord"(Prov1:27-29).

Sinner! thouthinkest toescapethe fear;butwhatwilt thoudowiththepit?Thouthinkesttoescapethepit;butwhatwiltthoudowiththesnare?The snare, say you,what is that? I answer, it is even thework of thineownhands. "Thewicked is snared in theworkofhisownhands,"he is"snaredbythetransgressionofhislips"(Psa9:16;Prov12:13).

Sinner!whatwiltthoudowhenthoucomestintothissnare;thatis,intotheguiltandterrorthatthysinswillsnaffle[27]theewith,whenthey,likeacord,arefastenedaboutthysoul?Thissnarewillbringtheebackagaintothepit,whichishell,andthenhowwiltthoudotoberidofthyfear?The fear,pit, and the snare shall comeupon thee,because thou fearestnotGod.

Sinner!artthouoneofthemthathastcastofffear?poorman,whatwiltthou do when these three things beset thee? whither wilt thou fly forhelp?Andwherewilt thou leave thy glory? If thou fliest from the fear,thereisthepit;ifthoufliestfromthepit,thereisthesnare.

[USESECOND,anexhortationtofearGod.]

SECOND USE. My next word shall be AN EXHORTATION TO FEARGOD.Imeananexhortationtosaints—"OfeartheLord,yehissaints,for

thereisnowanttothemthatfearhim."NotbutthateverysaintdothfearGod,butastheapostlesaithinanothercase,"Ibeseechyou,doitmoreandmore."ThefearoftheLord,asIhaveshowedyou,isagraceofthenew covenant, as other saving graces are, and so is capable of beingstronger or weaker, as other graces are.Wherefore I beseech you, fearhimmoreandmore.

ItissaidofObadiah,thathefearedtheLordgreatly:everysaintfearstheLord, but every saint does not greatly fear him. O there are but fewObadiahsintheworld,Imeanamongthesaintsonearth:seethewholerelationofhim(1Kings18).AsPaulsaidofTimothy,"Ihavenonelike-minded,"soitmaybesaidofsomeconcerningthefearoftheLord;theyhavescarcea fellow.So itwaswithJob, "There isnone likehim in theearth,onethatfearethGod,"&c.(Job1:8).TherewasevennoneinJob'sday that fearedGod likehim,no, therewasnot one likehim in all theearth,butdoubtless thereweremore in theworld that fearedGod;butthisfearingofhimgreatly,thatisthethingthatsaintsshoulddo,andthatwasthethingthatJobdiddo,andinthathedidoutstriphisfellows.ItisalsosaidofHananiah,that"hewasafaithfulman,andfearedGodabovemany" (Neh7:2).Healsohadgot, as to the exerciseof, andgrowth in,this grace, the start of many of his brethren. He "feared God abovemany." Now then, seeing this grace admits of degrees, and is in somestronger,andinsomeweaker,letusbeallawakenedastoothergraces,so to thisgracealso.That likeas youabound ineverything, in faith, inutterance, inknowledge,andinalldiligence,andinyourlovetous,seethatyeaboundinthisgracealso.Iwilllabourtoenforcethisexhortationuponyoubyseveralmotives.

First.LetGod'sdistinguishinglovetoyoubeamotivetoyoutofearhimgreatly.Hehathputhisfearinthyheart,andhathnotgiventhatblessingtothyneighbour;perhapsnottothyhusband,thywife,thychild,orthyparent.OwhatanobligationshouldthisconsiderationlayuponthyheartgreatlytofeartheLord!Rememberalso,asIhaveshowedinthefirstpartofthisbook,thatthisfearoftheLordishistreasure,achoicejewel,givenonly to favourites, and to those that are greatly beloved. Great giftsnaturallytendtooblige,andwilldoso,Itrust,withthee,whenthoushaltingeniouslyconsiderit.Itisasignofaverybadnaturewhenthecontrary

showsitself;couldGodhavedonemorefortheethantohaveputhisfearinthyheart?Thisisbetterthantohavegiventheeaplaceeveninheavenwithoutit.Yea,hadhegiventheeallfaith,allknowledge,andthetongueofmenandangels,andaplaceinheaventoboot,theyhadallbeenshortof thisgift,of the fearofGod in thyheart.Therefore love it,nourish it,exercise it, use allmeans to cause it to increase and grow in thy heart,thatitmayappearitissetbyatthyhand,poorsinner.

Second.AnothermotivetostirtheeuptogrowinthisgraceofthefearofGodmaybetheprivilegesthatitlaystheeunder.Whatorwherewiltthoufind in the Bible, so many privileges so affectionately entailed to anygrace,astothisofthefearofGod?Godspeaksofthisgrace,andoftheprivilegesthatbelonguntoit,asif,tospeakwithreverence,heknewnothowtohavedoneblessingof theman thathath it. It seems tomeas ifthis graceof fear is thedarling grace, the grace thatGod sets his heartuponatthehighestrate.As itwere,heembracesthehugs,andlaysthemaninhisbosom,thathath,andgrowsstronginthisgraceofthefearofGod.Seeagain themanyprivileges inwhich theman is interested thathaththisgraceinhisheart:andseealsothattherearebutfewofthem,wherevermentioned, but have entailed to them the pronunciation of ablessing,orelsethatmanisspokenofbywayofadmiration.

Third.Anothermotivemaybethis:ThemanthatgrowethinthisgraceofthefearoftheLordwillescapethoseevilsthatotherswillfallinto.Wherethisgraceis,itkeepeththesoulfromfinalapostasy,"Iwillputmyfearintheirhearts, that theyshallnotdepart fromme"(Jer32:40).Butyet, ifthere be not an increase in this grace, much evil may attend, and becommittednotwithstanding.Thereisachildthatishealthy,andhathitslimbs, and can go, but it is careless; now the evil of carelessness dothdisadvantage it very much; carelessness is the cause of stumblings, offalls, of knocks, and that it falls into the dirt, yea, that sometimes it isburned,oralmostdrowned.And thus it is, evenwithGod'speople thatfearhim,becausetheyaddnottotheirfearacareofgrowingmoreinthefearofGod,thereforetheyreapdamage;whereas,weretheymoreinhisfear, itwould keep thembetter, deliver themmore, and preserve themfromthesesnaresofdeath.

Fourth.Anothermotivemaybethis:Togrowinthisgraceofthefearof

God, is the way to be kept always in a conscientious performance ofChristian duties. An increase in this grace, I say, keeps every grace inexercise,andthekeepingofourgracesintheirdueexercise,producethaconscientiousperformance of duties.Thouhast awatchperhaps in thypocket,butthehandwillnotasyetbekeptinanygoodorder,butdoesalwaysgivethelieastothehouroftheday;well,butwhatisthewaytoremedythis,buttolookwelltothespring,andthewheelswithin?for iftheyindeedgoright,sowillthehanddoalso.Thisisthycaseinspiritualthings;thouartagraciousman,andthefearofGodisinthee,butyetforallthat,onecannotwelltell,bythylife,whattimeofdayitis.[28]ThougivestnotrueandconstantsignthatthouartindeedaChristian;why,thereasonis, thoudostnot lookwell to thisgraceof the fearofGod.Thoudost not grow and increase in that, but sufferest thy heart to growcareless,andhard,andsothyliferemissandworldly:Job'sgrowinggreatinthefearofGodmadehimeschewevil(Job1,2:3).

Fifth.Anothermotive is:This is thewaytobewise indeed.Awisemanfearethanddepartethfromevil.Itdothnotsayawisemanhaththegraceof fear,butawiseman feareth, that is,putteth thisgrace intoexercise.Thereisnogreatersignofwisdomthantogrowinthisblessedgrace.Isitnotasignofwisdomtodepart fromsins,whicharethesnaresofdeathand hell? Is it not a sign of wisdom for a man yet more and more toendeavourtointeresthimselfintheloveandprotectionofGod?Isitnotahighpointofwisdomforamantobealwaysdoingof thatwhich layshimunder the conduct of angels? Surely this iswisdom.And if it be ablessingtohavethisfear,isitnotwisdomtoincreaseinit?Doubtlessitisthe highest point of wisdom, as I have showed before, therefore growtherein.

Sixth. Anothermotivemay be this: It is seemly for saints to fear, andincrease in this fear of God. He is thy Creator; is it not seemly forcreatures to fear and reverence their Creator?He is thy King; is it notseemlyforsubjectstofearandreverencetheirKing?HeisthyFather;isitnotseemlyforchildrentoreverenceandfeartheirFather?yea,andtodoitmoreandmore?

Seventh.Anothermotivemaybe:Itishonourabletogrowinthisgraceoffear; "When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel"

(Hosea13:1).Truly, to fear,andtoabout in this fear, isasignofaveryprincelyspirit;andthereasonis,whenIgreatlyfearmyGod,Iamabovethefearofallothers,norcananythinginthisworld,beitneversoterribleand dreadful,moveme at all to fear them. And hence it is that Christcounselsus to fear—"AndI sayuntoyou,my friends,"saithhe, "benotafraidof themthatkill thebody,andafter thathavenomore that theycan do." Aye, but this is a high pitch, how should we come by suchprincely spirits? well, I will forewarn youwhom you shall fear, and byfearingofhim,arrivetothispitch,"Fearhim,whichafterhehathkilled,hathpowertocastintohell;yea,Isayuntoyou,fearhim"(Luke12:4,5).IndeedthistruefearofGodsetsamanabovealltheworld.Andthereforeitsaithagain,"Neitherfearyetheirfear,"-but"sanctifytheLordGod"inyourhearts, "and lethimbeyour fear, and lethimbeyourdread" (Isa8:12,13).

Your great ranting, swaggering, roysters,[29] that are ignorant of thenatureofthefearofGod,countitapoor,sneaking,pitiful,cowardlyspiritinmentofearandtremblebeforetheLord;butwhosolooksbacktojailsand gibbets, to the sword and burning stake, shall see, that there, inthem,hasbeenthemostmightyandinvinciblespiritthathasbeenintheworld!

Yea,seeifGoddothnotcountthatthegrowthofhispeopleinthisgraceof fear is that which makes them honourable, when he positivelyexcludeth those fromadwelling-place inhishouse, thatdonothonourthem that fear him (Psa 15:4). And he saithmoreover, "A woman thatfeareththeLord,sheshallbepraised."Iftheworldandgodlessmenwillnothonourthese,theyshallbehonouredsomewayelse.Such,saithhe,"thathonourmeIwillhonour,"andtheyshallbehonouredinheaven,inthechurches,andamongtheangels.

Eighth.AnothermotivetogrowinthisfearofGodmaybe:Thisfear,andthe increase of it, qualifies aman to be put in trustwith heavenly andspiritualthings,yea,andwithearthlythingstoo.

1.Forheavenlyandspiritualthings."Mycovenant,"saithGod,"waswith[Levi]oflifeandpeace,andIgavethemtohim,forthefearwherewithhefearedme,andwasafraidbeforemyname"(Mal2:5).

Beholdwhatagift,whatamercy,whatablessing thisLevi is intrustedwith;towit,withGod'severlastingcovenant,andwiththelifeandpeacethat is wrapped up in this covenant. But why is it given to him? theansweris,"forthefearwherewithhefearedme,andwasafraidbeforemyname."Andthereasonisgood,forthisfearofGodteachesamantoputadueestimationuponeverygiftofGodbestoweduponus;alsoitteachesustomakeuseofthesamewithreverenceofhisname,andrespecttohisglory inmost godly-wise, all which becomes him that is intrustedwithany spiritual gift. The gift here was given to Levi to minister to hisbrethren doctrinally thereof, for he, saith God, shall teach Jacob mystatutesandIsraelmylaw.SeealsoExodus18:21andNehemiah7:2,withmany other places that might be named, and you will find that menfearing God and hating covetousness; that men that fear God aboveothers, are intrustedbyGod, yea, andbyhis church too,with the trustandministrationofspiritualthingsbeforeanyotherintheworld.

2.Forearthlythings.ThisfearofGodqualifiesamantobeputintrustwiththemratherthanwithanother.ThereforeGodmadeJosephlordofallEgypt;Obadiah,stewardofAhab'shouse;Daniel,Mordecai,and thethree children, were set over the province of Babylon; and this by thewonderful working hand of God, because he had to dispose of earthlythingsnow,notonlyinacommonway,butforthegoodofhispeopleinspecial.True,whenthereisnospecialmatterorthingtobedonebyGodinanationforhispeople,thenwhowill(thatis,whethertheyhavegraceorno)mayhavethedisposalofthosethings;butifGodhasanythinginspecial to bestow upon his people of this world's goods, then he willintrust it in the hands ofmen fearingGod. Josephmust now bemadelordofEgypt,becauseIsraelmustbekept fromstarving;ObadiahmustnowbemadestewardofAhab'shouse,becausetheLord'sprophetsmustbehid fromand fed indespiteof the rageandbloodymindofJezebel;Daniel,withhiscompanions,andMordecaialso,theywereallexaltedtoearthly and temporal dignity, that theymight in that state, they beingmenthataboundedinthefearofGod,beserviceabletotheirbrethrenintheir straits anddifficulties (Gen42:18, 41:39; 1Kings 18:3;Esth6:10;Dan2:48,3:30,5:29,6:1-3).

Ninth.Anothermotivetogrowinthisgraceoffearis,Wherethefearof

Godintheheartofany isnotgrowing, therenograce thrives,nordutydoneasitshould.

There no grace thrives, neither faith, hope, love, nor any grace. This isevidentfromthatgeneralexhortation,"PerfectingholinessinthefearofGod"(2Cor7:1).Perfectingholiness,what isthat?butasJamessaysofpatience,leteverygracehaveitsperfectwork,thatyemaybeperfectandentire,lackingnothing(James1:4).

ButthiscannotbedonebutinthefearofGod,yea,intheexerciseofthatgrace,andsoconsequently in thegrowthof it, for there isnogracebutgrowsbybeingexercised.Ifthenyouwouldbeperfectinholiness,ifyouwould have every grace that God has put into your souls, grow andflourish into perfection; lay them, as Imay say, a-soak in this grace offear,[30]anddoallintheexerciseofit;foralittledoneinthefearoftheLordisbetterthantherevenuesofthewicked.Andagain, theLordwillnotsufferthesouloftherighteous,thesoulthatlivethinthefearoftheLord,tofamish,buthecastethawaytheabundanceofthewicked.BringabundancetoGod,andif itbenotseasonedwithgodlyfear, itshallnotbeacceptable tohim,but loathsomeandabominable inhis sight; for itdothnotflowfromthespiritofthefearoftheLord.

Therefore,wherethereisnotagrowthinthisfear,thereisnodutydonesoacceptably.Thisflowsfromthatwhichgoesbefore,forifgraceratherdecays than grows, where this grace of fear is not in the growth andincrease thereof, then duties in their glory and acceptableness decaylikewise.

Tenth.Anothermotivetostirtheeuptogrowintheincreaseofthisgraceof fear is, It is a grace, dobut abound therein, thatwill give thee greatboldnessbothwithGodandmen.Jobwasamananone-suchinhisdayforonethatfearedGod;andwhosoboldwithGodasJob?whosoboldwithGod,andwhosoboldwithmenashe?HowboldwashewithGod,whenhewishes for nothingmore than that hemight come even to hisseat,andconcludesthatifhecouldcomeathim,hewouldapproachevenasaprinceuntohim,andassuchwouldorderhiscausebeforehim(Job23:3-7,31:35-37).Alsobeforehis friends,howboldwashe?Foreverastheylaidtohischargethathewasanhypocrite,herepelsthemwiththe

testimonyofagoodconscience,whichgoodconsciencehegot,andkept,andmaintainedbyincreasinginthefearofGod;yea,hisconsciencewaskeptsogoodbythisgraceoffear,foritwasbythatthatheeschewedevil,thatitwascommonwithhimtoappealtoGodwhenaccused,andalsotoput himself for his clearing undermost bitter curses and imprecations(Job13:3-9,18,19:23,24,31).

ThisfearofGodisitthatkeepstheconsciencecleanandtender,andsofreefrommuchofthatdefilementthatevenagoodmanmaybeafflictedwith,forwantofhisgrowthinthisfearofGod.Yea,letmeadd,ifamancanwithagoodconsciencesaythathedesirestofearthenameofGod,itwilladdboldnesstohissoulinhisapproachesintothepresenceofGod."OLord,"saidNehemiah,"Ibeseechthee,letnowthineearbeattentivetotheprayerof thyservant,andservants,whodesiretofearthyname"(Neh 1:11). He pleaded his desire of fearing the name of God, as anargumentwithGodtogranthimhisrequest;andthereasonwas,becauseGodhad promised before "to bless them that fear him, both small andgreat"(Psa115:13).

Eleventh.AnothermotivetostiryouuptofeartheLord,andtogrowinthis fear is,By it thoumayesthave thy laboursblessed, to thesavingofthesoulsofothers.ItissaidofLevi,ofwhommentionwasmadebefore,thathefearedGodandwasafraidbeforehisname—thathesavedothersfromtheirsins."Thelawoftruthwasinhismouth,andhewalkedwithmeinpeaceandequity,anddidturnawaymanyfrominiquity"(Mal2:6).The fear of God that dwelt in his heart, showed its growth in thesanctifyingof theLordbyhis lifeandwords,and theLordalsoblessedthis his growth herein, by blessing his labours to the saving of hisneighbours.

Wouldest thou save thy husband, thy wife, thy children, &c., then begreatlyinthefearofGod.

This Peter teaches, "Wives," saith he, "be in subjection to your ownhusbands,that,ifanyobeynottheword,theyalsomaywithoutthewordbewonby theconversationof thewives,while theybeholdyour chasteconversation, coupled with fear" (1 Peter 3:1,2). So then, if wives andchildren, yea, if husbands,wives, children, servants,&c., did but better

observe this general rule of Peter, to wit, of letting their wholeconversation be coupledwith fear, theymight bemade instruments inGod'shandofmuchmoregoodthantheyare.Butthemiseryis,thefearofGod iswanting inactions, and that is the cause that so littlegood isdonebythosethatprofess.Itisnotaconversationthatiscoupledwithaprofession—foragreatprofessionmaybeattendedwithalifethatisnotgood,butscandalous;butitisaconversationcoupledwithfearofGod—thatis,withtheimpressionsofthefearofGoduponit—thatisconvincingandthatministereththeawakeningsofGodtotheconscience,inordertosaving the unbeliever. O they are a sweet couple, to wit, a Christianconversationcoupledwithfear.

ThewantofthisfearofGodisthatthathasbeenastumbling-blocktotheblindoftentimes.Alas, theworldwill notbe convincedby your talk, byyournotions,andbythegreatprofessionthatyoumake,iftheyseenot,therewithmixed,the lively impressionsof thefearofGod;butwill,asIsaid, rather stumble and fall, even at your conversation and at yourprofessionitself.Wherefore,topreventthismischief,thatis,ofstumblingof soulswhile youmake your profession ofGod, by a conversation notbecomingyourprofession,Godbidsyoufearhim; implyingthatagoodconversation,coupledwithfear,deliverstheblindworldfromthosefallsthatotherwisetheycannotbedeliveredfrom."Thoushaltnotcursethedeaf,norputastumbling-blockbeforetheblind,butshaltfearthyGod:IamtheLord"(Lev19:14).ButshaltfearthyGod,thatistheremedythatwill prevent their stumbling at you, at what else soever they stumble.WhereforePaul says toTimothy, "Takeheedunto thyself, andunto thedoctrine;continueinthem;forindoingthisthoushaltbothsavethyselfandthemthathearthee"(1Tim4:16).

Twelfth.Anothermotivetofear,andtogrowinthisfearofGodis,Thisisthe way to engage God to deliver thee from many outward dangers,whoeverfallstherein(Psa34:7).ThisisprovedfromthatofthestoryoftheHebrewmidwives."Themidwives,"saidMoses,"fearedGod,"anddidnotdrownthemen-childrenasthekinghadcommanded,butsavedthemalive. Andwhat follows? "Therefore God dealt well with themidwives;anditcametopassbecausethemidwivesfearedGod,thathemadethemhouses" (Exo 1). That is, he sheltered themand caused them to be hid

from the rage and fury of the king, and that perhaps in some of thehousesof theEgyptians themselves forwhymightnot themidwivesbethere hid as well as wasMoses even in the king's court?[31] And howmanytimesaretheythatfearGodsaidtobedeliveredbothbyGodandhisholyangels?asalsoIhavealreadyshowed.

Thirteenth.AnothermotivetofearandtogrowinthisfearofGodis,Thisisthewaytobedeliveredfromerrorsanddamnableopinions.Therearesome thatperish in their righteousness, that is anerror; therebe somethat perish in their wickedness, and that is an error also. Some againprolong their lives by their wickedness, and others are righteous over-much,andalsosomeareover-wise,andallthesearesnares,andpits,andholes. But then, sayest thou, how shall I escape? Indeed that is thequestion,andtheHolyGhostresolvesitthus,"HethatfearethGodshallcomeforthofthemall"(Eccl7:18).

Fourteenth.Anothermotive to fear, and togrow in this fearofGod, is,Suchashaveleave,betheyneversodarkintheirsouls,tocomeboldlytoJesusChrist,andtotrustinhimforlife.Itoldyoubefore,thattheythatfearGodhaveinthegeneralalicensetotrustinhim;butnowItellyou,andthatinparticular,thatthey,andtheyespecially,maydoit,andthatthoughinthedark;youthatsitindarknessandhavenolight,ifthisgraceof fear be alive in yourhearts, youhave this boldness—"Who is amongyouthatfeareththeLord,"mark,thatfeareththeLord,"thatobeyeththevoiceofhisservant,thatwalkethindarkness,andhathnolight?lethimtrustinthenameoftheLord,andstayuponhisGod"(Isa50:10).Itisnosmalladvantage,youknow,whenmenhavetodealindifficultmatters,tohave a patent or license to deal; now to trust in the Lord is a difficultthing,yetthebestandmostgainfulofall.Butthen,somewillsay,sinceitis so difficult, how may we do without danger? Why, the text gives alicense,apatenttothemtotrustinhisname,thathavehisfearintheirhearts—"LethimtrustinthenameoftheLord,andstayuponhisGod."[32]

Fifteenth.Anothermotiveto fearandgrowinthisgraceof fear, is,Godwill ownandacknowledge such tobehis,whoeverhe rejecteth.Yeahewill distinguish and separate them from all others, in the day of histerrible judgments.Hewilldowiththemashedidby those thatsighed

fortheabominationsthatweredoneintheland—commandthemanthathathhisink-hornbyhisside"tosetamarkupontheirforeheads,"thattheymight not fall in that judgment with others (Eze 9). So God saidplainly of them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name,that they should be writ in his book—"A book of remembrance waswrittenbeforehimforthemthatfearedtheLord,andthatthoughtuponhis name; and they shall bemine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that daywhenImakeupmy jewels,and Iwill spare themasamanspareth hisown son that serveth him" (Mal 3:16,17).Mark, he both acknowledgesthemforhis,andalsopromisestosparethem,asamanwouldsparehisownson;yea,andmoreover,willwrapthemupashischief jewelswithhimselfinthebundleoflife.Thusmuchforthemotives.

HowtogrowinthisfearofGod.

HavinggivenyouthesemotivestothedutyofgrowinginthisfearofGod,beforeIleavethisuse,Iwill,inafewwords,showyouhowyoumaygrowinthisfearofGod.

First. Then, if thou wouldest grow in this fear of God, learn aright todistinguishof fear ingeneral. Imean, learn todistinguishbetween thatfearthatisgodly,andthatwhichinitselfisindeedungodlyfearofGod;andknowthemwelltheonefromtheother,lesttheone,thefearthatinitselfindeedisungodly,gettheplace,eventheupperhandofthatwhichtruly is godly fear. And remember the ungodly fear of God is by Godhimself counted an enemy to him, and hurtful to his people, and isthereforemostplentifullyforbiddenintheWord(Gen3:15,26:24,46:3;Exo14:13,20:20;Num14:9,21:34; Isa41:10,14,43:1,44:2,8;54:4;Jer30:10;Dan10:12,19;Joel2:21;Hagg2:5;Zech8:13).

Second. If thou wouldest grow in this godly fear, learn rightly todistinguish it from that fear, in particular, that is godly but for a time;evenfromthatfearthatiswroughtbytheSpirit,asaspiritofbondage.Isay, learn to distinguish this from that, and also perfectly to know theboundsthatGodhathset tothat fearthat iswroughtbytheSpirit,asaspiritofbondage;lest,insteadofgrowinginthefearthatistoabidewiththysoulforever,thoubeover-runagainwiththatfirst fear,whichis toabidewiththeebuttillthespiritofadoptioncome.Andthatthoumayest

notonlydistinguish themone from theother,but alsokeepeach in itsdueplaceandbounds,consideringeneralofwhathathalreadybeensaiduponthishead,andinparticularthatthefirstfearisnomorewroughtbytheHolySpirit,butbythedevil, todistressthee,andmaketheeto live,not likea son,buta slave.And for thybetterhelp in thismatter,knowthat God himself hath set bounds to this fear, and has concluded thatafterthespiritofadoptioniscome,thatotherfeariswroughtinthyheartbyhimnomore(Rom8:15;2Tim1:7).

Again,beforeIleavethis,letmetelltheethatifthoudostnotwellbestirtheeinthismatter,thisbondagefear,towit,thatwhichislikeit,thoughnot wrought in thee by the Holy Ghost, will, by the management andsubtletyofthedevil,theauthorof it,haunt,disturb,andmaketheeliveuncomfortably,andthatwhilethouartanheirofGodandhiskingdom.This is that fear that the apostle speaks of, that makes men "all theirlifetimesubjecttobondage"(Heb2:14,15).ForthoughChristwilldelivertheeindeedatlast,thouhavingembracedhimbyfaith,yetthylifewillbefulloftrouble;anddeath,thoughJesushathabolishedit,willbealwaysalivingbugbear to thee inall thywaysand thoughts, tobreak thypeace,andtomaketheetodrawthyloinsheavilyafterhim.

Third.Wouldest thou grow in this godly fear? then, as thou shouldestlearntodistinguishoffears,sothoushouldestmakeconscienceofwhichtoentertainandcherish.IfGodwouldhavehisfear—anditiscalledHISfear byway of eminency—"that his fearmay be before you, that ye sinnot" (Exo20:20; Jer 32:40)—I say, ifGodwould have his fear bewiththee,thenthoushouldestmakeconscienceofthis,andnotsolightlygivewaytoslavishfear,asiscommonforChristianstodo.

There is utterly a fault amongChristians about this thing; that is, theymakenot thatconscienceof resistingofslavish fearas theyought; theyrathercherishandentertainit,andsoweakenthemselves,andthatfearthattheyoughttostrengthen.

Andthisisthereasonthatwesooftenliegrabbling[33]undertheblackandamazingthoughtsthatareengenderedinourheartsbyunbelief;forthisfearnourishethunbelief;thatis,nowitdoth,towit,ifwegivewaytoitafterthespiritofadoptioniscome,andreadilyclosethwithallthefiery

dartsofthewicked.

ButChristiansarereadytodowiththisfearasthehorsedoeswhenthetines[34] of the fork are set against his side; even lean to it until itentereth intohisbelly.Weleannaturallytothis fear,Imean,afterGodhasdonegood toour souls; it ishard strivingagainst it, because ithaseven our sense and feeling of its side. But I say, if thouwouldest be agrowing Christian—growing, I say, in the fear that is godly, in the fearthatisalwaysso—thenmakeconscienceofstrivingagainsttheother,andagainst all these things that would bring thee back to it. "Whereforeshould I fear," saidDavid, "in the day of evil, when the iniquity ofmyheelsshallcompassmeabout?"(Psa49:5).

What!notfearinthedayofevil?What!notwhentheiniquityofthyheelscompasseththeeabout?No,notthen,saithhe,thatis,notwiththatfearthatwouldbringhimagainintobondagetothelaw;forhehadreceivedthe spirit of adoption before. Indeed, if ever a Christian has ground togivewaytoslavishfear,itisatthesetwotimes,towit,inthedayofevil,andwhen the iniquity of his heels compassethhim about; but you see,David would not then, no, not then, give way thereto, nor did he seereason why he should. "Wherefore should I," said he? Aye, whereforeindeed?sincenowthouartbecomeasonofGodthroughChrist,andhastreceivedtheSpiritofhisSonintothyheart,crying,Father,Father.

Fourth.Wouldestthougrowinthisgraceofgodlyfear?thengrowintheknowledgeofthenewcovenant,forthatisindeedthegirdleofourreins,and thestrengthofour souls.HearwhatZacharias saith:God, sayshe,"hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servantDavid, ashe spakeby themouthofhisholyprophetswhichhavebeensincetheworldbegan."Butwhatwasit?whatwasitthathespake?Why,"Thathewouldgrantuntous,thatwe,beingdeliveredoutofthehandofourenemies,mightservehimwithoutfear,"withoutthisslavishbondagefear, "inholinessandrighteousnessbeforehimall thedaysofour life."But uponwhat is this princely fearless service ofGod grounded?Why,upon the holy covenant of God, upon the oath that he swore untoAbraham (Luke 1:69-74). Now in this covenant is wrapped up all thysalvation; in it is contained all thy desire, and I am sure, that then itcontaineth the complete salvation of thy soul; and I say, since this

covenantisconfirmedbypromise,byoath,andbythebloodoftheSonofGod, and that on purpose that thou mightest serve thy God withoutslavishfear,thentheknowledgeandfaithofthiscovenantisofabsolutenecessitytobringusintothisliberty,andoutofourslavishterrors,andso,consequently, tocauseus togrow in thatson-like,godly fear,whichbecameeventheSonofGodhimself,andbecomesallhisdisciplestoliveinthegrowthandexerciseof.

Fifth.Wouldestthougrowinthisgodlyfear?thenlabourevenalwaystokeepthineevidencesforheavenandofthysalvationaliveuponthyheart;forhethat losethhisevidences forheaven,willhardlykeepslavish fearoutofheart;buthethathaththewisdomandgracetokeepthemalive,andapparent tohimself,hewillgrow in thisgodly fear.SeehowDavidwordsit,"Fromtheendoftheearth,"saithhe,"willIcryuntothee;whenmyheart isoverwhelmed, leadmetotherock that ishigher thanI.Forthouhastbeenashelterforme,andastrongtowerfromtheenemy:Iwillabide in thy tabernacle forever.For thou,OGod,hastheardmy vows;thouhastgivenmetheheritageofthosethatfearthyname"(Psa61:2-5).Marka little,Daviddothby thesewords, in the firstplace, suggest thatsometimes,tohisthinking,hewasasfaroffofhisGodastheendsoftheearth are asunder, and that at such times he was subject to beoverwhelmed,afraid:[And]second,thewaythathetookatsuchtimes,tohelphimself,wastocrytoGodtoleadhimagaintoJesusChrist—"leadmetotherockthatishigherthanI";forindeedwithoutfaithinhim,andtherenewingofthatfaith,therecanbenoevidenceforheavenmadetoappearuntothesoul.Thisthereforehepraysforfirst.

Thenheputs that faith into exercise, and thatwith respect to the timethatwaspast,andalsoof thetimethatwastocome.Forthetimepast,says he, "Thou hast been a shelter tome, and a strong tower from theenemy" ; and for the time to come, he said, "I will abide in thytabernacle," that is, inthyChristby faith,and in thywayofworshipbylove, "forever."Andobserve it, hemakes thebelieving remembranceofhis first evidences forheaven the groundof this his cry and faith, "Forthou,"sayshe,"OGod,hastgivenmetheheritageofthosethatfearthyname." Thou hastmadememeet to be a partaker of themercy of thychosen,andhastputmeundertheblessingofgoodnesswherewiththou

hast blessed those that fear thee. Thus you see how David, in hisdistresses,musters up his prayers, faith, and evidences for eternal life,that he might deliver himself from being overwhelmed, that is, withslavish fear, and that hemight also abound in that son-like fear of hisfellow-brethren, that isnotonly comely,with respect toourprofession,butprofitabletooursouls.

Sixth.WouldestthougrowinthisfearofGod?thensetbeforethineeyesthebeingandmajestyofGod; forthatbothbegetteth,maintaineth,andincreaseththisfear.AndhenceitiscalledthefearofGod,thatis,anholyandawfuldreadandreverenceofhismajesty.For the fearofGod is tostandinaweofhim,buthowcanthatbedoneifwedonotsethimbeforeus?And again, ifwewould fear himmore,wemust abidemore in thesenseandfaithofhisgloriousmajesty.HencethisfearandGod'snameissooftenputtogether:asfearGod,feartheLord,fearthyGod,dothisinthefearoftheLord,andthoushaltfearthyGod,IamtheLord.Forthesewords,"IamtheLordthyGod,"andthelike,areonpurposeputin,notonlyto showuswhomwe should fear,butalso tobeget,maintain, andincrease inus that fear that isdue fromus to that"gloriousand fearfulname,theLordourGod"(Deut28:58).

Seventh.Wouldestthougrowinthisgraceoffear?thenkeepalwayscloseto thy conscience theauthorityof theWord; fear the commandmentasthe commandment of a God both mighty and glorious, and as thecommandment of a father, both loving and pitiful; let thiscommandment,Isay,bealwayswiththineeye,withthineear,andwiththineheart;forthenthouwiltbetaught,notonlytofear,buttoaboundinthefearoftheLord.EverygraceisnourishedbytheWord,andwithoutitthereisnothriftinthesoul(Prov13:13,4:20-22;Deut6:1,2).

Eighth.Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then bemuch in thefaith of the promise, of the promise that maketh over to thy soul aninterest inGodbyChrist,andofall good things.ThepromisenaturallytendethtoincreaseinusthefearoftheLord,becausethisfear,itgrowsbygoodnessandmercy;theyshallfeartheLord,andhisgoodness;nowthisgoodnessandmercyofGod,itiswraptupin,andmadeovertousbypromise;forGodgaveittoAbrahambypromise.Thereforethefaithandhope of the promise causeth this fear to grow in the soul—"Having

thereforethesepromises,dearlybeloved,letuscleanseourselvesfromallfilthinessofthefleshandspirit,perfectingholinessinthefearofGod"(2Cor7:1)."Perfectingholiness inthefearofGod"; thereforethat fearbythe promise must needs grow mighty, for by, with, and in it, you seeholinessisperfected.

Ninth. Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then remember thejudgmentsofGodthathave,orshallcertainlyovertake,thoseprofessors,that have either been downright hypocrites, or else unwatchfulChristians.ForboththesesortspartakeofthejudgmentsofGod;theone,towit, thetrueChristian, forhisunwatchfulness, forhiscorrection; theother,towit,thehypocrite,forhishypocrisy,tohisdestruction.Thisisaway tomake theestand inawe,andtomake thee tremble,andgrow inthegraceoffearbeforethyGod.

Judgments!youmaysay,whatjudgments?Answ.TimewillfailmeheretotelltheeofthejudgmentsthatsometimesovertakeGod'speople,andthat always certainly overtake the hypocrite for his transgressions. ForthosethatattendGod'speople,Iwouldhavetheelookbacktotheplaceinthisbookwheretheyareparticularlytouchedupon.Andforthosethatattend the hypocrite, in general they are these. 1. Blindness of heart inthisworld.2.Thedeathoftheirhopeatthedayoftheirdeath.3.Andthedamnationoftheirsoulsatthedayofjudgment(Matt23:15-19;Job8:13,11:20, 18:14, 20:4-7, Matt 23:33, 24:51; Luke 20:47). The godlyconsiderationofthesethingstendtomakemengrowinthefearofGod.

Tenth. Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then study theexcellenciesofthegraceoffear,andwhatprofit ityieldethtothemthathaveit,andlabourtogetthyheart intothe love,bothof theexerciseofthegraceitself,andalsoofthefruitityieldeth;foramanhardlygrowsinthe increase of any grace, until his heart is united to it, and until it ismade lovely in his eyes (Psa 119:119,120). Now the excellencies of thisgraceof fearhavealsobeendiscoursedof inthisbookbefore,wherebyreading thou shalt find the fruit it bears, and the promises that areannexedtoit,which,becausetheyaremany,Irefertheealsothitherforthyinstruction.

Eleventh.Wouldestthougrowinthisgraceoffear?thenrememberwhat

aworldofprivilegesdobelongtothemthatfeartheLord,asalsoIhavehinted; namely, that such shall not be hurt, shall want no good thing,shallbeguardedbyangels,andhaveaspeciallicense,thoughinneversodreadful aplight, to trust in thenameof theLord, and stayupon theirGod.

Twelfth.Wouldestthougrowinthisgraceoffear?thenbemuchinprayertoGodforabundanceoftheincreasethereof.TofearGodisthatwhichisaccording to his will, and if we ask anything according to his will, hehearethus.PraythereforethatGodwillunitethyhearttofearhisname;thisisthewaytogrowinthegraceoffear.

Lastly,Wouldestthougrowinthisgraceoffear?thendevotethyselftoit(Psa119:38).Devotemyselftoit,youwillsay,howisthat?Ianswer,why,givethyselftoit,addictthyselftoit.SolacethyselfinthecontemplationofGod,andofareverenceofhisname,andword,andworship.Thenwiltthoufear,andgrowinthisgraceoffear.

WhatthingstheyarethathaveatendencyinthemtohinderthegrowthofthefearofGodinourhearts.

AndthatImayyetbehelpfultothee,reader,Ishallnowgivetheecautionofthosethingsthatwill,ifwaybegiventothem,hinderthygrowthinthisfearofGod,thewhich,becausetheyareveryhurtfultothepeopleofGod,Iwouldhavetheebewarnedbythem.Andtheyarethesewhichfollow:

First. If thouwouldestgrow in thisgraceof fear, takeheedofAHARDHEART, for that will hinder thy growth in this grace. "Why hast thouhardenedourheartfromthyfear?"wasabittercomplaintofthechurchheretofore; for it is not only the judgment that in itself is dreadful andsoretoGod'speople,butthatwhichgreatlyhindereththegrowthofthisgrace in thesoul (Isa63:17).Ahardheart isbutbarrenground foranygracetogrowin,especiallyforthegraceoffear:thereisbutlittleofthisfear where the heart is indeed hard; neither will there ever be muchtherein.

Now if thou wouldest be kept from a hard heart, 1. Take heed of thebeginningsofsin.Takeheed,Isay,ofthat,thoughitshouldbeneverso

small;"Alittleleavenleaveneththewholelump."Thereismoreinalittlesintoharden,thaninagreatdealofgracetosoften.David's lookuponBathshebawas,onewouldthink,butasmallmatter;yetthatbeginningofsincontractedsuchhardnessofheart inhim,that itcarriedhimalmostbeyond all fear of God. It did carry him to commit lewdness with her,murder upon the body of Uriah, and to abundance of wickeddissimulation; which are things, I say, that have direct tendency toquenchanddestroyallfearofGodinthesoul.

2.If thouhastsinned, lienotdownwithoutrepentance; for thewantofrepentance,afteronehassinned,makestheheartyetharderandharder.Indeedahardheartisimpenitent,andimpenitencealsomakestheheartharderandharder.Sothatifimpenitencebeaddedtohardnessofheart,ortothebeginningofsinwhichmakesitso, itwillquicklybewiththatsoul,as is saidof thehouseof Israel, itwillhaveawhore's forehead, itwillhardlybebroughttoshame(Jer3:3).

3.Ifthouwouldestberidofahardheart,thatgreatenemytothegrowthof the grace of fear, be much with Christ upon the cross in thymeditations;forthatisanexcellentremedyagainsthardnessofheart:arightsightofhim,ashehangedthereforthysins,willdissolvethyheartintotears,andmakeitsoftandtender."Theyshalllookuponmewhomtheyhavepierced,-andmourn"(Zech12:10).Nowasoft,atender,andabrokenheart,isafitplaceforthegraceoffeartothrivein.But,

Second.Ifthouwouldesthavethegraceoffeartogrowinthysoul,takeheedalsoofAPRAYERLESSHEART,forthatisnotaplaceforthisgraceoffeartogrowin.Hencehethatrestrainethprayerissaidtocastofffear."Thoucastestofffear,"saidoneofhisfriendstoJob.Buthowmusthedothat?Why the next words show, "Thou restrainest prayer before God"(Job 15:4).Seest thouaprofessor thatprayethnot? thatman thrusteththefearofGodawayfromhim.Seestthouamanthatpraysbutlittle,thatman feareth God but little; for it is the praying soul, the man that ismighty inpraying, thathasaheart for the fearofGod togrow in.Takeheed,therefore,ofaprayerlessheart, ifyouwouldgrowinthisgraceofthe fear of God. Prayer is as the pitcher that fetcheth water from thebrook,therewithtowatertheherbs;breakthepitcher,anditwillfetchnowater,andforwantofwaterthegardenwithers.

Third. Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then take heed of ALIGHTANDWANTONHEART,forneitherissuchaheartgoodgroundforthefearofGodtogrowin.WhereforeitissaidofIsrael,"Shefearednot,butwentandplayedtheharlotalso."Shewasgiventowantonness,andtobe lightandvain,andsoher fearofGoddecayed(Jer3:8).HadJosephbeenaswantonashismistress,hehadbeenasvoidofthefearofGod as she; but he was of a sober, tender, godly, considerate spirit,thereforehegrewinthefearofGod.

Fourth.Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then take heed of ACOVETOUSHEART,forneitheristhatwhichissuchanonegoodgroundforthisgraceoffeartogrowin.ThereforethiscovetousnessandthefearofGod are as enemies, set the one in opposition to the other: one thatfeareth God and hateth covetousness (Exo 18:21). And the reason whycovetousnessissuchanobstructiontothegrowthofthisgraceoffear,isbecause covetousness casteth those things out of theheartwhich alonecannourish this fear. It castethout theWordand loveofGod,withoutwhich no grace can grow in the soul; how then should the fear ofGodgrowinacovetousheart?(Eze33:30-32;1John2:15).

Fifth.Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then take heed of ANUNBELIEVINGHEART,foranunbelievingheartisnotgoodgroundforthisgraceoffeartogrowin.Anunbelievingheartiscalled"anevilheart,"because fromit flowsall thewickedness that iscommitted in theworld(Heb3:12).Nowitisfaith,orabelievingheart,thatnourisheththisfearofGod, andnot theother; and the reason is, for that faith bringsGod,heaven, and hell, to the soul, andmaketh it duly consider of them all(Heb11:7).Thisisthereforethemeansoffear,andthatwhichwillmakeitgrowinthesoul;butunbeliefisabanethereto.

Sixth. Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then take heed of AFORGETFULHEART.Suchaheartisnotaheartwherethegraceoffearwillflourish,"whenIremember,Iamafraid,"&c.Thereforetakeheedofforgetfulness; do not forget but remember God, and his kindness,patience, and mercy, to those that yet neither have grace, nor specialfavourfromhim,andthatwillbegetandnourishhisfearinthyheart,butforgetfulnessof this,orofanyotherofhis judgments, isagreatwound

andweakeningtothisfear(Job21:6).WhenamanwellremembersthatGod'sjudgmentsaresogreatadeepandmystery,asindeedtheyare,thatremembrance puts aman upon such considerations of God and of hisjudgments as tomake him fear—"Therefore," said Job, "I am afraid ofhim."Seetheplace,Job23:15."ThereforeamItroubledathispresence;whenIconsider,Iamafraidofhim"—whenIrememberandconsiderofthewonderfuldepthsofhisjudgmentstowardsman.

Seventh.Wouldest thougrow in thisgraceof fear? then takeheedofAMURMURINGANDREPININGHEART, for that isnotaheart for thisgraceoffeartogrowin.Asforinstance,whenmenmurmurandrepineatGod's hand, at his dispensations, and at the judgments that overtakethem, in their persons, estates, families, or relations, that theirmurmuringtendethtodestroyfear;foramurmuringspiritissuchanoneas seems to correct God, and to find fault with his dispensations, andwherethereisthat,theheartisfarfromfear.Amurmuringspiriteithercomes from that wisdom that pretends to understand that there is afailureinthenatureandexecutionofthings,orfromanenvyandspiteatthe execution of them. Now if murmurings arise from this pretendedwisdomoftheflesh,theninsteadoffearingofGod,hisactionsarejudgedto be either rigid or ridiculous,which yet are done in judgment, truth,andrighteousness.SothatamurmuringheartcannotbeagoodoneforthefearofGodtogrowin.Alas!theheartwherethatgrowsmustbeasoftone; as youhave it inJob23:15, 16; andaheart thatwill stoopandbesilent at themost abstruse of all his judgments—"Iwas dumb, becauseTHOUdidstit."TheheartinwhichthisfearofGoddothflourishissuch,thatitbowsandismute,ifitcanbutespythehand,wisdom,justice,orholinessofGodinthisortheotherofhisdispensations,andsostirsupthesoultofearbeforehim.Butifthismurmuringarisethfromenvyandspite,that lookethsoliketothespiritofthedevil, thatnothingneedbesaidtogiveconvictionofthehorriblewickednessofit.

Eighth.Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then take heed of AHIGHANDCAPTIOUSSPIRIT,forthatisnotgoodgroundforthefearofGodtogrowin.Ameekandquietspiritisthebest,andtherethefearofGodwillflourishmost;thereforePeterputsmeeknessandfeartogether,asbeingmostsuitedintheirnatureandnaturaltendencyonetoanother

(1Peter3:15).Meeknessofspiritislikethatheartthathathdepthofearthin it inwhich thingsmay take root and grow; but a high and captiousspirit is liketothestonyground,wherethere isnotdepthofearth,andconsequently,wherethisgraceoffearcannotgrow;thereforetakeheedofthiskindofspirit,ifthouwouldestthatthefearofGodshouldgrowinthysoul.

Ninth.Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then takeheedofANENVIOUSHEART,forthatisnotagoodheartforthefearofGodtogrowin."Letnotthineheartenvysinners;butbethouinthefearoftheLordall theday long"(Prov23:17).Toenvyany isasignofabadspirit,andthatmantakesuponhim,asIhavealreadyhinted,tobeacontrolleranda judge,yea,andamaliciousexecutioner too,and thatof that fury thatarisethfromhisownlustsandrevengefulspirit,upon(perhaps)themanthatismorerighteousthanhimself.Butsupposeheisasinnerthatistheobjectof thineenvy,why, the textsets thatenvy indirectopposition tothefearofGod;"Envynotsinners,butbethouinthefearofGod."Thesetwo,therefore,towit,envytosinnersandfearingofGod,areopposites.ThoucanstnotfearGod,andenvysinnerstoo.Andthereasonis,becausehe that envieth a sinner, hath forgotten himself, that he is as bad; andhow can he then fear God? He that envies sinners rejects his duty ofblessingofthemthatcurse,andprayingforthemthatdespitefullyuseus;andhowcanhethathathrejectedthis,fearGod?Hethatenviethsinners,therefore,cannotbeofagoodspirit,norcanthefearofGodgrowinhisheart.

Tenth.Lastly,Wouldestthougrowinthisgraceoffear?thentakeheedofHARDENINGTHYHEARTatanytimeagainstconvictionstoparticularduties, as to prayer, alms, self-denial, or the like. Take heed also ofhardening thy heart, when thou art under any judgment of God, assickness,losses,crosses,orthelike.Ibidyoubeforetobewareofahardheart, but now I bid you beware of hardening your soft ones. For tohardentheheart is tomake itworse than it is;harder,moredesperate,and bold against God, than at the present it is. Now, I say, if thouwouldestgrowinthisgraceoffear,takeheedofhardeningthyheart,andespecially of hardening of it against convictions to good; for thoseconvictionsaresentofGod likeseasonableshowersof rain, tokeep the

tillageofthyheartingoodorder,thatthegraceoffearmaygrowtherein;but thisstiflingofconvictionsmakestheheartashardasapieceof thenethermillstone.Thereforehappyishethatreceivethconviction, forsohedothkeep in the fearofGod, and that fear therebynourished inhissoul; but cursed is he that doth otherwise—"Happy is the man thatfeareth alway; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall intomischief"(Prov28:14).

USETHIRD,ofencouragement.

USETHIRD.IcomenowtoAUSEOFENCOURAGEMENTtothosethatareblessedwiththisgraceoffear.Thelasttextthatwasmentionedsaith,"Happy is themanthat fearethalway,"andsodothmanymore.Happyalready, because blessed with this grace; and happy for time to come,because this grace shall abide, and continue till the soul that hath it isbrought unto the mansion-house of glory. "I will put my fear in theirhearts, that they shall not depart fromme."Therefore, as here it saith,Happyishe,soitsaithalso,Itshallgowellwithhim,thatis,intimetocome."ItshallbewellwiththemthatfearGod"(Eccl8:12).

First.HadGodgiventheealltheworld,yetcursedhadstthoubeen,ifhehadnotgiventheethefearoftheLord;forthefashionofthisworldisafadingthing,buthe that feareth theLordshallabide foreverandever.This therefore is the first thing that I would propound for thyencouragement,thoumanthatfearstheLord.Thisgracewilldwellinthyheart,foritisanewcovenantgrace,andwillabidewiththeeforever.Itissent to thee fromGod,notonly to join thyheartuntohim,but tokeepthee from final apostasy—"I will putmy fear in their hearts, that theyshall not depart fromme" (Jer 32:40).That thoumayestnever forsakeGod,ishisdesign,andtherefore,tokeeptheefromthatwickedthing,hehath put his fear in thy heart. Many are the temptations, difficulties,snares,traps,trials,andtroublesthatthepeopleofGodpassthroughintheworld,buthowshall theybekept,how shall theybedelivered, andescape?Why, the answer is, The fear of Godwill keep them—"He thatfearethGodshallcomeforthofthemall."

Isitnotthereforeawonderfulmercytobeblessedwiththisgraceoffear,thatthouby itmayestbekept from final,which isdamnableapostasy?

BlessGod,therefore,thoublessedman,thathastthisgraceoffearinthysoul.Therearefivethingsinthisgraceoffearthathaveadirecttendencyinthemtokeeptheefromfinalapostasy.

1.Itisseatedintheheart,andtheheartis,asImaycallit,themainfortinthemysticalworld,man.Itisnotplacedinthehead,asknowledgeis;norinthemouth,asutteranceis,butintheheart,theseatofall,"Iwillputmyfearintheirhearts."Ifakingwillkeepatownsecuretohimself,lethimbesuretomansufficientlythemainfortthereof.Ifhehavetwentythousandmenwell armed, yet if they lie scattered here and there, thetownmaybetakenforallthat,butifthemainfortbewellmanned,thenthetownismoresecure.Whatifamanhadalltheparts,yea,alltheartsofmen and angels? Thatwill not keep the heart toGod. Butwhen theheart,thisprincipalfort,ispossessedwiththefearofGod,thenheissafe,butnotelse.

2. As the heart in general, so the will in special. That chief and greatfaculty of the soul is the principle that is acted by this fear. The will,whichwaythatgoes,allgoes;ifitbetoheavenorhell.Nowthewill,Isay,is thatmain faculty that is governed by this fear that doth possess thesoul,thereforeallisliketogowellwithit.ThisSamuelinsinuateth,wherehesaith,"IfyewillfeartheLord."FearingofGodisavoluntaryactofthewill, and that being so, the soul is kept from rebellion against thecommandment,becausebythewillwherethisfearofGodisplaced,andwhich it governeth, is led all the rest of the powers of the soul (1 Sam12:14).Inthiswill,then,isthisfearofGodplaced,thatthisgracemaythebetterbeabletogovernthesoul,andsobyconsequencethewholeman;forasIsaidbefore,lookwhatwaythewillgoes,lookwhatthewilldoes,thither goes, and that does, thewholeman (Psa 110:3).Man,whenhiswillisalienatefromGod,isreckonedrebelliousthroughout,andthatnotwithout ground, for the will is the principal faculty of the soul as toobedience,andthereforethingsdonewithoutthewillareasiftheywerenotdoneatall.Thespiritiswilling;ifyebewilling;"shehathdonewhatshecould,"andthelike;bytheseandsuch-likesayingsthegoodnessoftheheartandactionisjudged,astothesubjectivepartthereof.Nowthisfear that we have been speaking of, is placed in the soul, and soconsequently in the will, that themanmay thereby the better be kept

fromfinalanddamnableapostasy.

3. This fear, as Imay say, even above every other grace, isGod'swell-wisher;andhenceit iscalled,asIalsohaveshowedyou,hisfear.Ashealsosaysinthetextmentionedabove,"Iwillputmyfearintheirhearts."These words, his and my, they are intimate and familiar expressions,bespeaking not only great favour toman, but a very great trust put inhim.Aswhoshouldsay,thisfearismyspecialfriend,itwillsubjectandbow the soul, and the several faculties thereof, tomypleasure; it ismygreat favourite, and subdueth sinners to my pleasure. You shall rarelyfind faith or repentance, or parts, go under such familiar characters asthisblessedfearoftheLorddoth.OfallthecounsellorsandmightiesthatDavidhad,Hushaionlywascalledtheking'sfriend(2Sam15:37,16:16).SoofallthegracesoftheSpiritthisofthefearofGodgoesmostly,ifnotalways,bythetitleofMYfear,God'sfear,HISfear,&c.Itoldyoubefore,if the kingwill keep a town, themain fort thereinmust be sufficientlymanned: and now I will add, that if he have not to govern thosemensometrustyandspecialfriend,suchasHushaiwastoDavid,hemayfindit lost when it should stand him in greatest stead. If a soul should bepossessedwithall thingspossible,yet if this fearofGodbewanting,allother things will give place in time of rebellion, and the soul shall befoundin,andundertheconductofhell,whenitshouldstandupforGodandhistruthintheworld.ThisfearofGod,itisGod'sspecialfriend,andthereforeithasgivenuntoitthechiefseatoftheheart,thewill,thatthewholemanmaynowbe,andalsobekepthereafter,inthesubjectionandobedienceofthegospel.For,

4.ThisgraceoffearisthesoftestandmosttenderofGod'shonourofanyothergrace.Itisthattender,sensible,andtremblinggrace,thatkeepeththesouluponitscontinualwatch.Tokeepagoodwatchis,youknow,awonderful safety to a place that is in continual danger because of theenemy.Why,thisisthegracethatsetteththewatch,andthatkeepeththewatchmenawake(Can3:7,8).Amancannotwatchasheshould,ifhebedestituteoffear:lethimbeconfident,andhesleeps;heunadvisedlyletsinto the garrison those that should not come there. Israel's fault whentheycametoCanaanwas,thattheymadeacovenantwiththeinhabitantsof the land, to wit, the Gibeonites, without asking counsel of God. But

wouldtheyhavedoneso, thinkyou, ifat thesametimethe fearofGodhadhaditsfullplayinthesoul,inthearmy?no,theyatthattimeforgotto fear. The grace of fear had not at that time its full stroke and swayamongthem.

5.Thisgraceoffearisthatwhich,asImaysosay,firstaffectstheheartsofsaintswithjudgments,afterwehavesinned,andsoisasabeginninggracetobringagainthattorightsthatbysinisputoutofframe.OitisapreciousgraceofGod!IknowwhatIsayinthismatter,andalsowhereIhadbeen longago, through thepowerofmy lusts, and thewilesof thedevil,haditnotbeenforthefearofGod.

Second.Butsecondly,anotherencouragementforthosethatareblessedwiththisblessedgraceoffearisthis,—thisfearfailsnottodothisworkforthesoul,if thereintruth,beitneversosmall inmeasure.Alittleofthisleaven"leaveneththewholelump."True,alittlewillnotdo,orhelpthesoultodothoseworthyexploitsintheheartorlifeaswellasabiggermeasure thereof; nor, indeed, can a little of any grace do that which abiggermeasurewill;butalittlewillpreservethesoulfromfinalapostasy,and deliver it into the arms of the Son of God at the final judgment.Wherefore,whenhesaith,"Iwillputmyfearintheirhearts,"hesaysnot,Iwillputsomuchof it there, suchaquantity,orsuchadegree;but, "Iwill putmy fear there." I speaknot this in the least to tempt the godlyman tobecontentwith the leastdegreeof the fearofGod inhisheart.True,menshouldbegladthatGodhathputeventheleastdegreeofthisgrace into their souls, but they should not be content therewith; theyshouldearnestlycovetmore,prayformore,andusealllawful,thatis,allthemeansofGod'sappointing,thattheymaygetmore.

Thereare,asIhavesaidalready,severaldegreesofthisgraceoffear,andourwisdom is togrow in it, as inall theothergracesof theSpirit.Thereasonswhy,Ihave showedyou,andalso theway togrow therein;buttheleastmeasurethereofwilldoasIsaid,thatis,keepthesoulfromfinalapostasy. There are, as I have showed you, those that greatly fear theLord, that fear exceedingly, and that fear him above many of theirbrethren;but thesmall in thisgracearesavedaswellas those thataregreattherein:"Hewillbless"orsave"themthatfearhim,bothsmallandgreat."ThisfearoftheLordisthepulseofthesoul;andassomepulses

beatstronger,someweaker,soisthisgraceoffearinthesoul.Theythatbeatbestareasignofbestlife,buttheythatbeatworstshowthatlifeis[barely]present.Aslongasthepulsebeats,wecountnotthatthemanisdead,thoughweak;andthisfear,whereitis,preservestoeverlastinglife.Pulsestherearealsothatareintermitting;towit,suchashavetheirtimesforalittle,alittletimetostop,andbeatagain;true,thesearedangerouspulses,butyettooasignof life.This fearofGodalso issometimes likethisintermittingpulse;therearetimeswhenitforbearstowork,andthenitworksagain.Davidhadanintermittingpulse,Peterhadanintermittingpulse,asalsomanyotherofthesaintsofGod.Icallthatanintermittingpulse, with reference to the fear we speak of, when there is someobstruction by the workings of corruptions in the soul; I say, someobstructionfrom,andhindranceof, thecontinualmotionof this fearofGod;yetnoneofthese,thoughtheyarevarious,andsomeofthemsignsofweakness,aresignsofdeath,butlife."Iwillputmyfearintheirhearts,thattheyshallnotdepartfromme."

Quest.Butyoumaysay,HowshallIknowthatIfearGod?

Answ.IfIshouldsaythatdesires,truesinceredesirestofearhim,isfearitself.Ishouldnotsayamiss(Neh1:11).Foralthoughadesiretobe,ordosoandso,makesnotamantobeintemporalornaturalthingswhathedesires to be—for a sick, or poor, or imprisonedmanmay desire to bewell,toberich,ortobeatliberty,andyetbeastheyare,sick,poor,orinprison—yetinspirituals,aman'sdesiretobegood,tobelieve,tolove,tohope,andfearGod,dothflowfromthenatureofgraceitself.

I saidbefore, that in temporals aman couldnotproperlybe said tobewhathewasnot;yetaman,eveninnaturalsortemporals,showshislovetothatthingthathedesires,whetheritbehealth,riches,orliberty;andin spirituals, desires of, from love to this or that grace of God, sinceredesires of it flow from the root of the grace itself—"Thy servants whodesire to fear thyname."NehemiahborehimselfbeforeGodupon this,"thathedesiredtofearhisname."Andhenceagainitissaidconcerningdesires,truedesires,"Thedesireofmanishiskindness"(Prov19:22).Foraman shows his heart, his love, his affections, and his delights, in hisdesires;andsincethegraceofthefearofGodisagracesopleasantinthesightofGod,andofsosanctifyinganatureinthesoulwhereitis,atrue

sinceredesire tobeblessedwith thatgracemustneeds flow fromsomebeingofthisgraceinthesoulalready.

Truedesiresarelowerthanhigheractsofgrace,butGodwillnotoverlookdesires—"But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly;wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hathprepared for them a city."Mark, they desire a country, and they shallhavea city.At this lowplace, towit, sinceredesires,Godwillmeet thesoulandwilltellhimthathehathacceptedofhisdesires,thathisdesiresarehiskindness,and flow fromgrace itself: "Hewill fulfil thedesireofthemthatfearhim."ThereforedesiresarenotrejectedofGod;buttheywould, iftheydidnotflowfromaprincipleofgracealreadyinthesoul;thereforedesires,sinceredesirestofearGod,flowfromgracealreadyinthesoul.Therefore,sincethoufearestGod,anditisevidentbythydesiresthat thoudost so do, thou art happynow in this thy fear, and shalt behappyforeverhereafter intheenjoymentof thatwhichGod inanotherworldhathlaidupforthemthatfearhim.

Third. Another encouragement for those that have this grace of fear isthis; this grace can make that man, that in many other things is notcapable of serving of God, serve him better than those that have allwithoutit.PoorChristianman,thouhastscarcebeenabletodoanythingforGodallthydays,butonlytofeartheLord.Thouartnopreacher,andsocanstnotdohimservicethatway;thouartnorichman,andsocanstnotdohimservicewithoutwardsubstance;thouartnowiseman,andsocanstnotdoanythingthatway;buthereisthymercy,thoufearestGod.Thoughthoucanstnotpreach,thoucanstfearGod.Thoughthouhastnobread to feed the belly, nor fleece to clothe the back of the poor, thoucanst fear God. O how "blessed is the man that feareth the Lord" ;becausethisdutyoffearingofGodisanactofthemind,andmaybedonebythemanthatisdestituteofallthingsbutthatholyandblessedmind.

Blessed therefore is thatman, forGodhathnot laid the comfort of hispeopleinthedoingofexternalduties,northesalvationoftheirsouls,butinbelieving,loving,andfearingGod.Neitherhathhelaidthesethingsinactions done in their health nor in the duemanagement of theirmostexcellentparts,butinthereceivingofChrist,andfearofGod.Thewhich,good Christian, thou mayest do, and do acceptably, even though thou

shouldestliebed-ridallthydays;thoumayestalsobesickandbelieve;besickandlove,besickandfearGod,andsobeablessedman.AndherethepoorChristianhathsomethingtoanswerthemthatreproachhimforhisignoblepedigree,andshortnessofthegloryofthewisdomoftheworld.True,maythatmansay,Iwastakenoutofthedunghill,Iwasborninabase and low estate, but I fear God. I have no worldly greatness, norexcellencyofnaturalparts,butIfearGod.

WhenObadiahmetwithElijah,hegavehimnoworldly and fantasticalcompliment,nordidhegloryinhispromotionbyAhabthekingofIsrael,but gravely, and after a gracious manner, said, "I thy servant fear theLordfrommyyouth."AlsowhenthemarinersinquiredofJonah,saying,"Whatisthineoccupation,andwhencecomestthou?whatisthycountry,andofwhatpeopleartthou?"Thiswastheanswerhegavethem,"IamaHebrew,andIfeartheLord,theGodofheaven,whichhathmadetheseaand thedry land" (Jonah 1:8,9). Indeed this answer is thehighest, andmostnobleintheworld,norarethereany,saveafew,thatintruthcanthus express themselves, though other answers they had enough;mostcansay,Ihavewisdom,ormight,orriches,orfriends,orhealth,orthelike;thesearecommon,andaregreatlyboastedinbythemost;butheistheman that fearethGod, and he that can say, when they say to him,Whatartthou?"IthyservantfeartheLord,"heisthemanofmany,heistobehonouredofmen:thoughthis,towit,thathefeareththeLord,isallthat he hath in theworld.He hath the thing, the honour, the life, andglorythatis lasting;hisblessednesswillabidewhenallmen'sbuthis isburiedinthedust,inshameandcontempt.[35]

Awordtohypocrites.

Hypocrites,mylastwordistoyou;thehypocriteisonethatwouldappeartobethatinmen'seyesthatisnothingofinGod's—thouhypocrite,thatwouldestbeesteemedtobeone that lovesandthat fearsGod,butdoesnot;Ihavethistosaytothee,thyconditionisdamnable,becausethouartahypocrite,andseekestto

deceivebothGodandmanwithguises,vizards,masks,shows,pretences,andthyformal,carnal,feignedsubjectiontotheoutsideofstatutes,laws,andcommandments;butwithinthouartfullofrottennessandallexcess.

Hypocrite,thoumayestbythycunningshiftsbeveiledandhidfrommen,butthouartnakedbeforetheeyesofGod,andheknoweththathisfearisnotinthyheart(Luke16:15).

Hypocrite, be admonished that there isnot obedience acceptedofGod,where the heart is destitute of this grace of fear. Keeping of thecommandments is but one part of the duty ofman, and Paul did that,even while he was a hypocrite (Phil 3). To "fear God and keep hiscommandments, this is thewholeduty ofman" (Eccl 12:13).This—fearGod—the hypocrite, as a hypocrite, cannot do, and therefore, as such,cannotescapethedamnationofhell.

Hypocrite,thoumustfearGodfirst,evenbeforethoudostoffertomeddlewiththecommandments,thatis,astothekeepingofthem.Indeed,thoushouldestreadtherein, thatthoumayest learntofeartheLord,butyet,"fearGod"goesbeforethecommandtokeephiscommandments.AndifthoudostnotfearGodfirst,thoutransgressest,insteadofkeepingofthecommandments.

Hypocrite, this word, FEAR GOD, is that which the hypocrite quiteforgets, although it is thatwhich sanctifies thewhole duty ofman. Forthis is that,andnothingwithout it, that canmakeamansincere inhisobedience;thehypocritelooksforapplauseabroad,andforgetsthatheiscondemnedathome,andboththesehedoesbecausehewanteththefearofGod.

Hypocrite,beadmonishedthatnoneoftheprivilegesthatarespokenofin the former part of the book belongs to thee, because thou art ahypocrite; and if thou hope, thy hope shall be cut off, and if thou leanuponthyhouse,both thouand it shall fall intohell-fire.Triumph then,thytriumphisbutforawhile.Joythen,butthejoyofthehypocriteisbutforamoment(Job8:13,15,20:4-6).

Perhapsthouwiltnotletgonow,what,asahypocrite,thouhastgot;but"whatisthehopeofthehypocrite,whenGodtakethawayhissoul?"(Job27:8). Hypocrite, thou shouldest have chosen the fear of God, as thouhast chosenaprofessionwithout it,but thouhastcastoff fear,becausethouartahypocrite;andbecausethouartsuch,thoushalthavethesame

measure that thou metest; God will cast thee off, because thou art ahypocrite. God hath prepared a fear for thee because thou didst notchoosethefearofGod,andthatfearshallcomeupontheelikedesolation,andlikeanarmedman,andshallswallowtheeup,thouandallthatthouart(Prov1:27).

Hypocrite, read this text and tremble—"The sinners in Zion are afraid,fearfulnesshathsurprisedthehypocrites.Whoamongusshalldwellwiththedevouringfire?whoamongusshalldwellwitheverlastingburnings?"(Isa33:13,14).

Hypocrite, thou art not under the fatherly protection of God, becausethouartahypocrite,andwantesthisfearinthineheart.TheeyesoftheLordareuponthemthatfearhim,todeliverthem.Butthefearlessmanor hypocrite is left to the snares and wiles of the devil, to be caughtthereinandovercome,becauseheisdestituteofthefearofGod.

Hypocrite, thou art like to have no other reward ofGod for thy labourthanthatwhich thegoats shallhave;[36] thehypocrite,becausehe is ahypocrite, shall not stand in God's sight. The gain of thy religion thouspendestas thougettest it.Thouwilt nothaveone farthingoverplus atdeathandjudgment.

Hypocrite,Godhathnotintrustedtheewiththeleastdramofhissavinggrace,norwillhe,becausethouartahypocrite:andasforwhatthouhast,thou hast stolen it, even every man of you from his neighbour; stillpilferingoutof theirprofession,evenasJudasdidoutof thebag.Thoucomestlikeathiefintothyprofession,andlikeathiefthoushaltgooutofthesame.JesusChristhathnotcountedthee faithful tocommittotheeanyofhisjewelstokeep,becausethoufearesthimnot.Hehathgivenhis"banner to them that fear him, that itmaybedisplayedbecause of thetruth"(Psa60:4).

Hypocrite,thouartnottruetoGodnorman,northineownsoul,becausethou art a hypocrite!How should the Lord put any trust in thee?Whyshouldthesaintslookforanygoodfromthee?ShouldGodgivetheehisWord,thouwiltsellit.Shouldmencommittheirsoulstothee,thouwiltdestroythem,bymakingmerchandiseof them,forthyownhypocritical

designs. Yea, if the sun waxes hot, thou wilt throw all away, and notenduretheheat,becausethouartahypocrite!

Footnotes

25. No one can charge Bunyan with a superstitious notion of dreams,whether asleep or as if asleep. Such a mode of interpretation as herecommends is both rational and scriptural. To dream awake is thusexplained—"Theydreamon ina courseof readingwithoutdigesting."—Locke.—Ed.[25]

26.Whoeverthouart,beseechtheLordtoweightheeinthebalancesofthesanctuary.No fearofGod—nograce in the soul.Of this class is theproud, the covetous, the glutton, the liar, the apostate, the perverter ofGod'speople fromtherightway;obstinateand incorrigiblebacksliders;thosewhoneithermournnor sigh for thewickedness of the land; theythatprefertheirownfancies,dreams,frames,andfeelings,totheWordof God; swearers, adulterers, perjured persons, and oppressors of thepoor;theythatinsultthegodly,andrejoiceattheirsufferings;theythathavenolove,gratitude,norsenseofdutytoGod,asthefountainoftheirunmeritedmercies. O reader, give God no rest until, by hisWord andSpirit,heimpartstotheethisholyfearastheearnestofgloryhereafter;withoutityouareperishing.—Mason.—Ed.[26]

27."Snaffle";aloosebridlewithacurb."Tosnaffle";tobeeasilyled.

"Thethirdo'the'worldisyours,whichwithasnaffle,Youmaypaceeasy,butnotsuchawise."AntonyandCleopatra.—Ed.[27]

28. How familiar but striking an illustration. Reader, look well to themainspring,andseealsothatthewheelsarenotclogged.Weoughttobelivingepistles,knownandreadofallmen.—Ed.[28]

29."Aroyster";aviolent,riotous,blustering,turbulent,fellow—aspeciesofmennowmuchoutofdate,asarejailsandgibbets,swordandburningstake.Howgreatandtruethatcouragewhichcouldlookat,andexpect,

suchtrials,withoutshrinking,whentheywerethreatenedasarewardforlovetoChristandholyobediencetohisgospel!—Ed.[29]

30. This is a very strong and striking expression. "To soak," means toimbibeasmuchaswecancontain;andastotheinfluenceofgodlyfear,happy shall we be in proportion as we are enabled to follow Bunyan'sadvice.—Ed.[30]

31.Thewords,"hemadethemhouses,"wehumblysuggest,maynotonlymean that theseGod-fearingwomenhad safedwelling-places, but, in amoreextensivesense,Godmadethemtheheadsofhonourablefamilies,see 1 Samuel 2:35; 2 Samuel 7:11, 13, 27, 29; 1 Kings 2:24, 11:28. SoDavid'sprayerwas,"Letmyhousebeestablishedbeforethee;thou,OmyGod,wiltbuildmeanhouse"(1Chron17:24,25).—Ed.[31]

32.Royalpatents,inBunyan'stime,werelucrativebutmostoppressive,conferringuponfavourites,ortheirnominees,anexclusiverighttodealinanyarticleofmanufacture.ButthepatenttoGod'sfearers,totrustinhim when involved in darkness and distress, is a blessed privilege,injurioustonone.—Ed.[32]

33. "Grabbling"; sprawling along, drawing the body, by the hands,throughasmallapertureinamine.—Ed.[33]

34."Tines";fromtheSaxon;theteethorspikesintherowelofaspur.—Ed.[34]

35. "Blessed is theman that feareth theLord."Blessedness shallattendhim all the way to heaven, in proportion as that fear abounds. It is aheavenonearthtoliveintheconstantfearofGod—tohaveareverentialaweandfearofhismajesty immovablyfixedandimplantedinthesoul.ThegraceoffearhasaneminentinfluenceinaChristian'ssanctification;itisapowerfulrestraintfromsin.AholyfearofGod,andahumblefearofourselves,whicharealikeofDivineoperation,willpreserveusfromsinandengageustoobedience.Godwillbeourprotectorandinstructor,ourguideandoureverlastingdelivererfromallevil.Letusnotrestsatisfiedwiththegreatestattainmentsshortof"perfectingholiness inthefearofGod."—Mason.[35]

36. By the goats we are to understand the hypocrites and the finallyimpenitent,whowill depart into everlasting fire, prepared for the devilandhisangels;seeMatthew25:32,33-41.—Ed.[36]