An exposition with practical observations upon the three first chapters of the book of…

First, There is a fear of wisdom and caution, and there is a fear of torment and vexation. That which the Apostle John speaks, (1 Joh. 4.18.) fear hath torment, is not meant of all fear: there is a fear that is a tormenting passion, a fear which distracts or divides the thoughts about troubles which may come, and there is a fear which only directs us to avoid or prevent the coming of trouble.

First, There is a feare of wisedome and caution, and there is a feare of torment and vexation. That which the Apostle John speakes, (1 Joh. 4.18.) feare hath torment, is not meant of all feare: there is a feare that is a tormenting passion, a feare which distracts or divides the thoughts about troubles which may come, and there is a feare which only directs us to avoide or prevent the coming of trouble.

Secondly, There is a fear which is opposed to security, and there is a fear which is opposed to comfort. It was Davids sin, that he wanted the fear opposed to security, when he said, In my prosperity I shall never be moved: Lord, by thy favour, thou hast made my mountain to stand strong, Psal. 30.6, 7. The fear of Job in his prosperity was opposed to this security, he did not say, I shall never be moved, he thought he might be moved: The favour of God had made his mountain strong, yet he knew it had but the strength of clay, and therefore might be cast down. This was his fear, he looked upon creatures, as they are, mutable and moveable. Christ speaks of a faith of miracles, which will remove mountains; and that fear is not contrary to saving faith, which causeth us to think, that our mountains may be removed. Jobs fear was grounded on the uncertainty of creature comforts, ⟨p. 468⟩he knew wealth was brittle ware, and might quickly receive a crack. This fear we ought to carry about us, in regard of our spiritual estates also, though grace be everlasting ware, though we are high-built, and full-grown in grace, though through the favour of God our mountain of holiness, and of comforts be very strong, yet we must not be secure; though we are high-built, yet we must not be high-minded. Hence the Apostle Paul warns the believing Gentiles, that they should fear: I grant, ye are in a good estate in comparison of the Jews, they are cast off, ye are grafted in, yet let me give you this caution, be not high-minded but fear.