An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

Note, Secondly; A due fear puts us upon the use of means, for the preservation of our selves and our relations.

¹What's the reason why this Ostrich takes no care to hatch her eggs, to preserve her young ones? She is fearless; had she a fear about them, she would take care of them. As true love is full of solicitous fear, so due fear is full of solicitous endeavour. Fear makes us both consultive what to do, and active in doing it. And as it makes us both consultive and active about our outward preservation, so much more for our inward and spiritual preservation. It is said of Noah (Heb. 11.7.) That being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an Ark for the saving of his house. Noah had never taken care to prepare an Ark against the deluge, but for these gracious impressions of fear, that God would bring a dreadful inundation upon the world. Fear moved him, and faith prevailed with him to prepare an Ark. The Apostle (Phil. 2.13.) calls upon all believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. If we have no fear about our salvation, we shall never work out our salvation. Yet 'tis a truth, that they who have most assurance of their salvation, are most in working out their salvation. Holy assurance is so far from making us careless, that then we are most careful, knowing that the Lord hath joined the end and means together; knowing also, That they are in most safety, who have most sense of danger; yea, that they who have most fear of danger, are farthest from feeling danger. The labour of the Ostrich is in vain, because she hath no ⟨p. 413⟩fear; her foolishness makes her fearless, and that makes her careless; therefore no thanks to her, that all her labour is not lost or in vain, that both her eggs and young ones do not utterly miscarry. Thus we may profitably meditate upon the improvidence of this creature the Ostrich, and learn wisdom from her folly, to make us more provident. But whence is it, or how comes it to pass, that she is so foolish? The next words tell us.