A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

He speaks of the fear of death and judgment; so much love as is in our hearts, so much freedom and boldness against the day of judgement; a loving heart fears not wrath, nor judgment, nor hell, Psal. 23.4. When once I look at God as my Shepherd, and love him, and follow him: Why? then though I walk through the vale of the shadow of death, I will fear none evil, though I walk in near danger of death, for if the shadow follow me, the body is not far off, yet I will fear no evil, Psal. 49, 4, 5. David makes open proclamation to all men to hear and hearken, there is the solemnity of the audience: the matter is, It's a parable, and dark mystery, and yet a word of wisdom and understanding. Why, what is this parable that all the world should take notice of? Why, this is it, Wherefore should I be afraid, when the iniquity of my heels do compass me about? that is, the iniquity of my foot-steps, ⟨p. 332⟩the tripping of my steps, or the iniquity of my heels, that is, the fears and dangers that follow him at the heels; yet wherefore should I fear? An heart possest with the love of God, is disposest of fear of evil from God. Psal. 3.6. I will not be afraid of ten thousand of people, that shall compass me about. Why, what makes him so confident? Because the Lord is my shield and lifter up of my head, vers. 3. So that we see that a Christian possest of the love of God, stands not in the fear of judgement or hell, nay more, not of his sinful failings, Psal. 49.5.

He speaks of the fear of death and judgment; so much love as is in our hearts, so much freedome and boldnesse against the day of judgement; a loving heart feares not wrath, nor jugement, nor hell, Psal. 23.4. When once I look at God as my Shepheard, and love him, and follow him: Why? then though I walke through the vale of the shadow of death, I will feare none evill, though I walk in neer danger of death, for if the shadow follow me, the body is not farre off, yet I will fear no evill, Psal. 49, 4, 5. David makes open proclamation to all men to hear and hearken, there is the solemnity of the audience: the matter is, It's a parable, and dark mystery, and yet a word of wisdome and understanding. Why, what is this parable that all the world should take notice of? Why, this is it, Wherefore should I be afraid, when the iniquity of my heels do compasse me about? that is, the iniquity of my foot-steps, ⟨p. 332⟩the tripping of my steps, or the iniquity of my heels, that is, the fears and dangers that follow him at the heels; yet wherefore should I feare? An heart possest with the love of God, is dispossest of fear of evill from God. Psal. 3.6. I will not be afraid of ten thousand of people, that shall compasse me about. Why, what makes him so confident? Because the Lord is my shield and lifter up of my head, vers. 3. So that we see that a Christian possest of the love of God, stands not in the feare of judgement or hell, nay more, not of his sinfull failings, Psal. 49.5.

Reas. 1. From the nature of fear, and the […] oval of it, fear is a troublesome affection in the expectation o• […] evil: Now […] the removal of fear, two things must be done▪

Reas. 1. From the nature of fear, and the 〈…〉 oval of it, fear is a troblesome affection in the expectation o• 〈…〉 evill: Now 〈…〉 the removal of feare, two things must be done▪

1 There must […] evil towards him.

1 There must 〈…〉 evill towards him.

As no evil is towards him, […] •e must know this, that no evil shall befall him; Now a Christian that loves God, he knows that no evil shall befall him, Psal. 56.3.9. What time I am afraid, I will trust on thee. When I cry unto thee, thou shalt cause mine enemies to […] their backs this I know, for God is for me: So that a Christian not only finds security from danger, but knowledge of it too. Nay further, the child of God is so far from fearing any evil to come nigh him, that he knows all those things that are counted evil, shall turn to his advantage, Rom. 8 28. So Phil •.1•. where he tells you what wrong false Apostles did him on purpose, to add afflictions to his bonds; Well, saith he, I know this shall turn to my salvation, through your prayers, upon a double ground he comforts himself against all their malignities.

As no evill is towards him, 〈…〉 •e must know this, that no evill shall befal him; Now a Christian that loves God, he knows that no evill shall befal him, Psal. 56.3.9. What time I am afraid, I will trust on thee. When I cry unto thee, thou shalt cause mine enemies to 〈…〉 their backs this I know, for God is for me: So that a Christian not onely finds security from danger, but knowledge of it too. Nay further, the childe of God is so farre from fearing any evill to come nigh him, that he knows all those things that are counted evill, shall turn to his advantage, Rom. 8 28. So Phil •.1•. where he tels you what wrong false Apostles did him on purpose, to adde afflictions to his bonds; Well, saith he, I know this shall turn to my salvation, through your prayers, upon a double ground he comforts himself against all their malignities.

1 He knows the more they afflict him, the more will the Church pray for him.

2 That the more he is tempted, the more will God supply by his Spirit.

Quest. How do they know that no evil shall befall them?

Quest. How do they know that no evill shall befal them?

Answ. 1. From the love of God shed abroad in their hearts, Rom. 5.1 to 6.

2 From the presence of God for him in his worst times, And if God be for him, who can be against him? Rom. 8.31.

3 From the interest he hath in the blood of Christ, which hath cleansed him from all his sins, so that he doth know that God will follow him as a deliverer from his sins, so that the soul though burdened with many sins, yet fears not, Psal. 44.5.

3 From the interest he hath in the blood of Christ, which hath cleansed him from all his sins, so that he doth know that God will follow him as a deliverer from his sins, so that the soule though burthened with many sins, yet fears not, Psal. 44.5.

4 From a knowledge he hath of all the promises as belonging to him, which are a stay and support to his soul, Psal. 56.3, 4 10, 11. Psal. 84.11. he knows God will be a Sun and a shield to him.

5 From the knowledge that he hath from the integrity of his conscience, which is as a brazen wall against all evils, 2 Cor. 1.12. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience.

5 From the knowledge that he hath from the integrity of his conscience, which is as a brazen wall against all evils, 2 Cor. 1.12. For our rejoycing is this, the testimony of our conscience.

6 The prayers both of his own soul and other Christians are for him, so that through them he is confident no evil shall befall him, Psal. 56.9. Phil. 1.19.

6 The prayers both of his own soule and other Christians are for him, so that through them he is confident no evill shall befal him, Psal. 56.9. Phil. 1.19.

7 He is emboldened against dangers, from the supportance of Gods Spirit in his worst times, Phil. 1.19. Psal. 5. So Psal. 46. God is a present help in the time of trouble; when trouble is near at hand, yet God is nearer; as it was sometimes with Elisha, he saw the Mountain full of Chariots and Horse-men, 2 King 6.17. Though there were not such a multitude constantly about him, yet when an Army of the enemies come; an Army of Angels come as soon.

7 He is imboldned against dangers, from the supportance of Gods Spirit in his worst times, Phil. 1.19. Psal. 5. So Psal. 46. God is a present help in the time of trouble; when trouble is near at hand, yet God is nearer; as it was sometimes with Elisha, he saw the Mountain full of Chariots and Horse-men, 2 King 6.17. Though there were not such a multitude constantly about him, yet when an Army of the enemies come; an Army of Angels come as soon.

It hath been an ancient opinion, that every true Christian hath a particular Angel to deliver him; why, this is certain, when dangers come, there never want Angels without, nor Gods Spirit within, nor the prayers of his servants for us, and therefore we have no cause to fear.