Two treatises the first of fear, from Isa. 8, v. 12, 13, and part…

The first Effect of this sinful and exorbitant passion, is distraction of mind and thoughts in duty; both Cicero and Quintilian will have the word tumultus, a tumult to come from timor multus, much fear, 'tis a compound of those two words; much fear raises great uproars and tumults in the Soul, and puts all into hurries and distractions, so that we cannot attend ⟨p. 49⟩upon any service of God, with profit or comfort. It was therefore a very necessary mercy that was requested of God, Luk. 1. 74. That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear. For it is impossible to serve God without distractions, till we can serve him without the slavish fear of enemies. The reverential fear of God is the greatest •pur to duty, and choicest help in it, but the distracting fears of men will either wholly divert us from our duty, or destroy the comfort and benefit of our duties; 'tis a deadly snare of the Devil, to hinder all comfortable intercourse with God.

It is very remarkable, that when the Apostle was giving his advice to the Corinthians, about marriage in those times of persecution and difficulty, he commends to them a single life as most eligible; where it may be without other sinful inconveniences, and that principally for this reason, That they might attend upon the Lord without distractions, 1 Cor. 7. 35. He foresaw what straits, cares, and fears must unavoidably distract them in such times that were most clogged and encumbered with families, and relations; when a man should be thinking, O what shall I do now to to get my doubts and fears resolved about my interest in Christ? How may I so behave my self in my sufferings as to credit Religion, and not become a scandal and stumbling stone to others? His thoughts are taken •p with other cares and fears! O what will become of […] wife and poor little ones! what shall I do with •hem, and for them, to secure them, from danger?