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

1. That he who will commit himself to God, must commit himself to him in well doing, as the Apostle limits it in 1 Pet. 4. 19. and in things agreeable to his will; else we would make God a Patron and Protector of our sins, Let t••m that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well doing. We cannot commit our sins, but our duties to Gods protection: God is so great a friend to truth and righteousness, that in such a case he will ⟨p. 83⟩not take your part, how dear soever you be to him, if truth be found on your enemies part, and the mistake on yours. Think not to entitle God to your errors or failings, much less to any sinful designs: You may commit a doubtful case to him to be decided, but not a sinful case to be protected. It is in vain to shelter any cause of your own under his wings, except you can write upon it as David did, Psal. 74. 22. Thine own cause, O Lord, thine own, as well as mine. Lord plead thine own cause.

2. He that commits his all to God, supposes and firmly believes that all events and issues of things are in Gods hands; that he only can direct, over rule, and order them all as he pleaseth. Upon this supposition, the committing acts of Faith in all our fears and distresses are built, I trusted in thee, O Lord, I said, thou art my God, my times are in thy hand, deliver me from the hands of my enemies, and from them that persecute me. His firm assent to this great truth, that his times were in Gods hands, was the reason why he committed himself into that hand. If our times, our lives, or comforts were in our enemies hands; it were to little purpose for us to commit our selves into Gods hands. And here the contrary senses and methods of Faith and unbelief, are as conspicuous as in any one thing whatsoever: Unbelief persuades men that their lives and all that is dear to them, is in the hands of their enemies, and therefore persuades them the best way they can take to secure themselves, is by compliance with the will of their enemies, and pleasing them. But Faith determines quite contrary, it tells us we and all that is ours is in Gods hand, and no enemy can touch us or ours till he give them a permission; and therefore it is our duty and interest to please him, and commit all to him.