A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

This fear of John, though it was holy, yet is it tainted with some sin and corruption: for it was an immoderate fear of death which made him thus astonished and affright. Whence we learn that the most holy affections of righteous men are not perfectly holy, but mixed with imperfection according to the measure of their sanctification, which is always in part in this life. Whereby it appears that no man hath in him a filial fear of God alone, but some servile fear (whereby we fear God for his judgements) is mixed therewith. And thus much for Johns fear which is the occasion of his confirmation.

This feare of Iohn, though it was holy, yet is it tainted with some sinne and corruption: for it was an immoderat feare of death which made him thus astonished and affright. Whence wee learne that the most holy affections of righteous men are not per•ectly holy, but mixed with imperfection according to the measure of their sanctification, which is alwayes in part in this life. Whereby it appeares that no man hath in him a filiall feare of God alone, but some seruile feare (whereby wee feare God for his iudgements) is mixed therewith. And thus much for Iohns feare which is the occasion of his confirmation.

Now followeth the means of his confirmation in these words, Then he laid his right hand upon me, saying, fear not, I am the first and the last: and I am alive, but I was dead: and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen: and I have the keys of hell and death. Here note two things, first, the time when Christ used these means for Johns confirmation: secondly, the means themselves. The time is noted in this word, then, that is, after his presence had stricken a fear in my heart, which made me as dead; then the Lord used means to comfort me. The means of comfort and confirmation are then used when the party is humbled. And thus the Lord dealeth with all his servants in the matter of their salvation: First, he bruiseth their stony hearts, and woundeth their sinful souls, before he poureth in the oil of grace. First, a man must be a lost sheep, and then Christ findeth him and layeth him on his shoulders and bringeth him home. And indeed they that would feel sound comfort by Christ, must first be humbled in themselves. And the reason why men reap so little comfort either by the word or sacraments, is the want of true humiliation before they come, whereby the soul is fitted for grace and consolation.