A39696:96
Two treatises the first of fear, from Isa. 8, v. 12, 13, and part…
Two treatises the first of fear, from Isa. 8, v. 12, 13, and part of the 14 : the second, The righteous man's refuge in the evil day, from Isaiah 26, verse 20 / by John Flavell.
London: printed by H.H. for Robert Boulter, 1682
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. The use of Religious Fear.
If God can make such fruit to grow upon such a bramble as the sinful slavish fear of man is, what may we expect from Religious Fear, a choice root of his own spirits planting? The uses and benefits hereof are innumerable, and inestimable, but I must contract and will only instance in three special uses of it.
1. By this Fear the people of God are excited to, ⟨p. 26⟩and confirmed in the way of their duty. Eccles. 12. 13. Fear God, and keep his commandments. It is Custos utriusque Tabulae, the keeper of both Tables; because the duties of both Tables are influenced by it. 'Tis this Fear of God that makes us have a due respect to all his commands, and it is as powerful to confirm us in, as it is to excite us to our duties, Jer. 32. 40. I will put my fear into their inwards, and they shall not depart from me. Look as he that soweth doth not regard the winds, but goes on in his labour whatever weather the face of Heaven threatens; so he that fears God will be found in the way of his duty, let the aspect of the times be never so louring and discouraging; and truly, this is no small advantage in times of frights and distractions. Slavish fear sets a man upon the Devils ground, Religious fear upon Gods ground; and how vast an odds is there in the choice of our ground, when we are to endure a great fight of affliction.