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

If ever you will subdue your own slavish fears, Commit your selves, and all that is yours into the hands of God by Faith.

This Rule is fully confirmed by that Scripture, Prov. 16. 3. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. The greatest part of our trouble and burden in times of danger, arises from the unsettledness and distraction of our own thoughts, and the way to calm and quiet our thoughts is to commit all to God. This Rule is to be applied for this end and purpose when we are going to meet Death it self, and that in all its terrible formalities, and most frightful appearances, 1 Pet. 4. 19. Let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. And if this committing act of Faith be so useful at such a time, when the thoughts must be supposed to be in the greatest hurry▪ and fears in their full strength; much more will it establish the heart, and calm its passions in lesser troubles, you know what ease and relief it would be to you, if you had a Trial depending in Law for your Estates, and your hearts were overloaded and distracted with cares and fears about the issue of it: If one whom you know to be very skilful and faithful, should say to you at such a time, trouble not your self any further •bout this business, never break an hours sleep more ⟨p. 82⟩for this matter; be you as an unconcerned Spectator, commit it to me, and trust me with the management of it▪ I will make it my own concernment, and save you harmless. O what a burden, what an heavy load would you feel y••r selves eased of, as soon as you had thus transferred, and committed it to such a hand! then you would be able to eat with pleasure, and sleep in quietness: Much more ease and quietness doth your committing the matter of your fears to God give, even so much more, as his power, wisdom, and faithfulness is greater than what is to be found in men. But to make this Rule practicable, and improvable to peace, quietness of heart in an evil day, it will be necessary that you well understand, 1. What the committing act of Faith is. 2. What grounds and encouragements Believers have for it.