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

1. Herein lies the ensnaring danger of sinful fear, that it drives men out of their proper station, out of their place and duty, beside which there is none to be found but what is Satan's ground. The subtle enemy of our salvation is aware that we are out of Gun shot, beyond his reach, whilst we abide with God in the way of our duty, that the Lord is with us, whilst we are with him, and there is no attempting our ruin under the wings of his protection. If ever therefore he meaneth to do any thing upon us, he must get us off that ground, and from under those wings, and there is nothing like fear to do this; then we are as the birds that are wandering from their nests, Prov. 27. 8. or like Shimei out of his limits.

1. Herein lies the ensnaring danger of sinful fear, that it drives men out of their proper station, out of their place and duty, beside which there is none to be found but what is Satans ground. The subtle enemy of our salvation is aware that we are out of Gun shot, beyond his reach, whilst we abide with God in the way of our duty, that the Lord is with us, whilst we are with him, and there is no attempting our ruine under the wings of his protection. If ever therefore he meaneth to do any thing upon us, he must get us off that ground, and from under those wings, and there is nothing like fear to do this; then we are as the birds that are wandring from their nests, Prov. 27. 8. or like Shimei out of his limits.

2. Fear is usually the first passion in the soul that beats a parley with the enemy, and treats with the tempter about terms of rendition; and as the French proverb is, The Castle that parlies, is half won. 'Tis fear that consults with flesh and blood, whilst faith is engaged with God for the supply of strength to endure the siege; we have a sad and doleful instance of this in Spira, he tells us how his own fears betrayed him, by parleying with the tempter, for thus Mr. Bacon in the History of his life records the occasion of his fall. Whilst Spira was tossing upon the restless waves of doubts, without Guide to trust to, or Haven to flee to for succour; on the sudden, Gods spirit assisting, he felt a calm, and began to discourse with himself in this manner: Why wanderest thou thus in uncertainties? Unhappy man! cast away fear, put on thy shield of faith; where is thy wonted courage, thy goodness, thy constancy? Remember that Christs glory lies at the stake, suffer then without fear, and he will defend thee, he will