A treatise of the fear of God showing what it is, and how distinguished…A treatise of the fear of God shewing what it is, and how distinguished…

Now Obadiah, saith the text, Feared the Lord greatly, for so it was, when Jezebel cut off the Prophets of the Lord that Obadiah took an hundred Prophets and hid them by fifty in a Cave and fed them with Bread and Water. This was charity to the distressed, even to the distressed for the Lords sake.

Had not Obadiah served the Lord, yea, had he not greatly feared him, he would not have been able to do this thing especially as the case then stood with him, and also with the Church at that time; for then Jezebel sought to stay all that indeed feared the Lord; yea, and the persecution prevailed so much at that time, that even Elijah himself thought that she had killed all but him. But now, even now, the fear of God in this good mans heart, put forth it self into acts of mercy though attended with so eminent danger.

See here therefore that the fear of God will put forth it self (in the heart where God hath put it) even to show kindness, and to have co have compassion upon the distressed Servants of God, even under Jezebels Nose; for Obadiah dwelt in Ahab's hose, and Jezebel was Ahab's Wife, and an horrible persecutor, as was said before: yet Obadiah will show mercy to the poor, because he feared God, yea he will venture, her displeasure, ⟨p. 122⟩his place, and neck, and all, but he will be merciful to his Brethren in distress. Cornelius also being a man possessed with this fear of God, became a very free-hearted, and open-handed man to the poor. He feared God, and gave much Alms to the people. Indeed this fear, this godly fear of God, it is an universal grace; it will stir up the soul unto all good duties. It is a fruitful grace, from it, where it is, floweth abundance of excellent virtues, nor without it can there be any thing good, or done well that is done, But,