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

2 The sinfulness of Fear lies in the excess and immoderacy of it, when we fear more than we ought; for it may be truly said of our fears as the Philosopher speaks of waters, difficilé suis terminis continentur, 'tis hard to keep them within bounds, every bush is a Bear, every petty trouble puts us into a fright, our fear exceeds the value and merit of the cause. 'Tis a great sin to love or fear any creature above the rate of a creature, as if they were Masters of all our temporal and eternal comforts. Thus when the men of ⟨p. 14⟩Israel heard of the confederacy and conjunction of their enemies against them, the Text saith, their hearts were moved, as the Trees of the wood are moved with the wind, Isai. 7. 1. or as we use to say proverbially, like an Aspen leaf: 'tis a sad sight to behold men shaking and quivering as the trees do in a windy day, yet thus did the house of David, partly through the remembrance of past calamities, but especially through incredulity in Gods protecting care in their present and future dangers; yea, this is too often the fault of good men in creature fear, as well as in creature love, to transgress the due bounds of moderation. 'Tis noted of Jacob though a man of much Faith, and one that had the sweetest encouragements to strengthen it both from former experiences, and Gods gracious promises to be with him; yet when Esa• was come nigh, he was greatly afraid and distressed, Gen. 32. 7. It was but a little before that God had graciously appeared to him, and sent a Royal guard of Angels to attend him, even two hosts or armies of Angels, verse 1, 2. and yet as soon as Esau approached him, he was afraid, greatly afraid, yea, greatly afraid and distressed, notwithstanding such an encouraging vision as this was.

2 The sinfulness of Fear lies in the excess and immoderacy of it, when we fear more than we ought; for it may be truly said of our fears as the Philosopher speaks of waters, difficilé suis terminis continentur, 'tis hard to keep them within bounds, every bush is a Bear, every petty trouble puts us into a fright, our fear exceeds the value and merit of the cause. 'Tis a great sin to love or fear any creature above the rate of a creature, as if they were Masters of all our temporal and eternal comforts. Thus when the men of