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

Poor timorous soul, is there not a King, a Supreme Lord under whom Devils and men are? Hath not Christ the reins of Government in his hands? Matth. 28. 18. Phil. 2. 9, 10, 11, 12. John 17. 2. Were this dominion of Christ and dependence of all creatures on him well studied and believed, it would cut off both our trust in men, and our fear of men; we should soon discern they have no power either to help us, or to hurt us but what they receive from above. ⟨p. 109⟩Our enemies are apt to over-rate their own power in their pride, and we are as apt to over-rate it too in our fears. Knowest thou not, saith Pilate to Christ, that I have power to crucify thee, and I have power to release thee, q. d. Refusest thou to answer me? dost thou not know who and what I am? Yes, yes, saith Christ, I know thee well enough to be a poor impotent creature, who hast no power at all, but what is given thee from above; I know thee, and therefore do not fear thee. But we are apt to take their own boasts for truth, and believe their power to be such as they vainly vogue it to be; whereas in truth all your enemies are sustained by Christ. Colos. 1. 17. they are bounded and limited by Christ, Rev. 2. 10. Providence hath its influences upon their hearts and wills immediately, Jer, 15. 11. Psal. 106. 46. So that they cannot do whatever they would do, but their wills as well as their hands are ordered by God. Jacob was in Laban's and in Esau's hands; both hated him but neither could hurt him. David was in Sauls hand, who hunted for him as a prey, yet is forced to dismiss him quietly, blessing instead of slaying him. Melanchthon and Pomeren both fell into the hands of Charles the Fifth, than whom Christendom had not a more prudent Prince, nor the Church of Christ a fiercer enemy; yet he treats these great and active Reformers gently, dismisseth them freely, not once forbidding them to preach or print the Doctrine which he so much opposed and hated.