God who brings his servants over all their dangers, will save them by a sober fear and vigilancy, and not by fearlessness of the evil.
8. But all that fear which includeth error or unbelief, or distrust of Christ, is sinful, and to be resisted with all our care; And the more distrust, the greater is the sin.
9. All Fear that driveth from Christ, and faith, and hope, and love, and true consolation we cry down daily, as injurious to God and man.
10. We teach all Christians to contend with utmost diligence, to get up to the highest Trust, Love, Joy, Thanksgiving and Praise, as the proper Evangelical excellency, nearest Heaven: and to get as fast as they can above that fear which hath torment, which is cast out as love groweth perfect: and to pray and seek for the Spirit of Adoption, of Power, and Love, and a sound mind, instead of the Spirit of fear and bondage: And not to place too much of their Religion in that very fear which in its season is a duty, much less in hurtful sinful fear: But always and in all things to Rejoice in the Lord, with Love and Gratitude, and confidently to cast all their cares on him.
11. But as all men here are imperfect in Holiness, Faith and Assurance, and in their doubts, some fear of the event (besides mere reverence of God) is their duty, so we teach men how so to live in an uncertain fearing state, as safeliest to get above it.
12. And we know that sin, wickedness, presumption, self-deceit and pride are so common in the world, that Fear is very needful to the most; and we have cause to call with Paul to many proud Professors, Be not high minded, but fear (even lest God should cut them off as he did the Jews); and Having a promise of entering into his rest, let us fear lest any of us come short of it, Heb. 4. 1. And Christ thrice over reciteth his urgent exhortatory words, Luke 12▪ 4, 5. I say to you my friends—I will tell ⟨p. 258⟩you whom you shall fear—Fear him who when he hath killed, hath power to cast into Hell; yea, I say unto you (the third time) fear him: Is not this authority full, and these words plain and very earnest, even to his friends?
13. And it is not fit to make such a Doctrine a fundamental certainty, which we find none of all the Churches of Christ held from the Apostles days for many and many hundred years (that ever I could read or hear of,) I mean that [all the Justified persevere].
God who brings his servants over all their dangers, will save them by a sober fear and vigilancy, and not by fearlesness of the evil.
8. But all that fear which includeth error or unbelief, or distrust of Christ, is sinful, and to be resisted with all our care; And the more distrust, the greater is the sin.
9. All Fear that driveth from Christ, and faith, and hope, and love, and true consolation we cry down daily, as injurious to God and man.
10. We teach all Christians to contend with utmost diligence, to get up to the highest Trust, Love, Joy, Thanksgiving and Praise, as the proper Evangelical excellency, nearest Heaven: and to get as fast as they can above that fear which hath torment, which is cast out as love groweth perfect: and to pray and seek for the Spirit of Adoption, of Power, and Love, and a sound mind, instead of the Spirit of fear and bondage: And not to place too much of their Religion in that very fear which in its season is a duty, much less in hurtful sinful fear: But alwayes and in all things to Rejoyce in the Lord, with Love and Gratitude, and confidently to cast all their cares on him.
11. But as all men here are imperfect in Holiness, Faith and Assurance, and in their doubts, some fear of the event (besides meer reverence of God) is their duty, so we teach men how so to live in an uncertain fearing state, as safeliest to get above it.
12. And we know that sin, wickedness, presumption, self-deceit and pride are so common in the world, that Fear is very needful to the most; and we have cause to call with Paul to many proud Professors, Be not high minded, but fear (even lest God should cut them off as he did the Jews); and Having a promise of entring into his rest, let us fear lest any of us come short of it, Heb. 4. 1. And Christ thrice over reciteth his urgent exhortatory words, Luke 12▪ 4, 5. I say to you my friends—I will tell ⟨p. 258⟩you whom you shall fear—Fear him who when he hath killed, hath power to cast into Hell; yea, I say unto you (the third time) fear him: Is not this authority full, and these words plain and very earnest, even to his friends?
13. And it is not fit to make such a Doctrine a fundamental certainty, which we find none of all the Churches of Christ held from the Apostles dayes for many and many hundred years (that ever I could read or hear of,) I mean that [all the Justified persevere].
