Yet should we ask any of these, whether they believed the word of God or no, whether they feared the wrath of God or no? they would answer, they did; and be angry that any man should make doubt of it: they should be uworse than beasts▪ no better than flat Atheists, if they did not. But, xthe wickedness of the wicked man assureth me, saith the Psalmist, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. And the loose and dissolute, the secure and careless courses of such evidently show, whatsoever▪ they may say, that there is neither Faith, nor fear of God in them, that they neither believe his Word, nor stand in awe of his wrath, they durst not for their lives do so as they do, if they did. *If you fear, saith Augustine, how is it that you take no more care? yCould Jacob sleep quietly, when he understood of Esau's approach? Or zdurst ⟨p. 128⟩Sampson for all his strength and stoutness lie still, when he heard that the Philistines were upon him? Much less durst any man, or could any man, that feared Gods wrath, lie sleeping in sin, when warning were given of Gods wrath, or while (it is the state of every impenitent person, had he a spiritual eye to discern it) the black clouds of his vengeance ready to seize on him, hung continually over his head. Say what thou wilt therefore, whosoever thou art that so livest, diddest thou fear God▪ as thou pretendest and professest to do, athou couldest not live so securely, thou durst not live so loosely; thou durst as well eat thy nails off, as we say, as do many things that daily thou doest; bthy very fear would not let thee, it would not suffer thee to rest: it would be as a thorn at thy heart, and a spur at thy side, to rouse thee and awake thee, and to keep thee from rest, till thou hadst procured thine own safety▪ and to urge and enforce thee to all speedy, careful, and industrious endeavour, whereby the same might be effected.
Yet should wee aske any of these, whether they beleeued the word of God or no, whether they feared the wrath of God or no? they would answer, they did; and be angrie that any man should make doubt of it: they should be uworse than beasts▪ no better than flat Atheists, if they did not. But, xthe wickednesse of the wicked man assureth me, saith the Psalmist, that there is no feare of God before his eyes. And the loose and dissolute, the secure and carelesse courses of such euidently shew, whatsoeuer▪ they may say, that there is neither Faith, nor feare of God in them, that they neither beleeue his Word, nor stand in awe of his wrath, they durst not for their liues doe so as they doe, if they did. *If you feare, saith Augustine, how is it that you take no more care? yCould Iacob sleepe quietly, when hee vnderstood of Esaus approach? Or zdurst ⟨p. 128⟩Sampson for all his strength and stontnesse lie still, when he heard that the Philistines were vpon him? Much lesse durst any man, or could any man, that feared Gods wrath, lie sleeping in sinne, when warning were giuen of Gods wrath, or while (it is the state of euery impenitent person, had hee a spirituall eye to discerne it) the blacke clouds of his vengeance readie to seize on him, hung continually ouer his head. Say what thou wilt therefore, whosoeuer thou art that so liuest, diddest thou feare God▪ as thou pretendest and professest to doe, athou couldest not liue so securely, thou durst not liue so loosely; thou durst as well eat thy nailes off, as we say, as doe many things that daily thou doest; bthy very feare would not let thee, it would not suffer thee to rest: it would be as a thorne at thy heart, and a spurre at thy side, to rouse thee and awake thee, and to keepe thee from rest, till thou hadst procured thine owne safetie▪ and to vrge and enforce thee to all speedie, carefull, and industrious endeuour, whereby the same might be effected.
- uQui pudorē amisit; bestia par est, qui timorein, bestiâ pejor est. Bern. de divers. 12.Qui pudorē amisit; bestia par est, qui timorein, bestiâ pejor est. Bern. de divers. 12.
- xPsal. 36. 1. [Greek or Hebrew]. Clem. Alex. paedag. l. 1. c. 9. Timor enim Domini expellit peccatū. Sirac. 1. 26. sive quod jam admissū est, sive quodtentat intrare; illud poenitendo, hoc resistendo. Bern▪ de divers. 8.Psal. 36. 1. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Clem. Alex. paedag. l. 1. c. 9. Timor enim Domini expellit peccatū. Sirac. 1. 26. sive quod jam admissū est, sive quodtentat intrare; illud poenitendo, hoc resistēdo. Bern▪ de divers. 8.
- *Si timetis, quare non cavetis? Aug. de discipl. Christ. c. 2. Cur Sodomam incolitis ruituri jam ruituram? Cur citò non fugitis perituri rem periturā? Misocosin. contempt. mund.Si timetis, quare non cavetis? Aug. de discipl. Christ. c. 2. Cur Sodomam incolitis ruituri jam ruituram? Cur citò non fugitis perituri rem periturā? Misocosin. contempt. mund.
- yGen. 32. 23.
- zJudg. 16. 20.Iudg. 16. 20.
- aVigilabis, si time•is. Aug. de […]. Ap. •8. Et tu vigilares, si timores.Vigilabis, si time•is. Aug. de 〈…〉. Ap. •8. Et tu vigilares, si timores.
- bTimor torporem excussit & nolentibus. Nec tutu patitur esse securum pavr.
