1. For whom the place is provided. The Text contains a Catalogue of that black Roll (though there are many more then are expressed) but here are the grand crimes, the ring leaders to destruction, the mother sins And here we have in the first place the Fearful: whereby is not meant those that are of a timorous nature (for fear simply is not a sin) those that are simply fearful; but such as place their fear on a wrong object, not where it should be: That fear not God, but other things more then God. Such as if affliction and iniquity were put to their choice, will rather choose iniquity then affliction: Rather then they will have any cross betide them, rather then they will incur the indignation of a man, rather then they will part with their life and goods for God's cause, will adventure on any thing, choosing iniquity rather then affliction; Job. 36.21. being afraid of what they should not fear, never hearing the great and mighty God: This is the fearful here meant. See how Elihu in Job expresses it. Job. 36.21. This hast thou chosen. This (that is) iniquity rather then affliction, to sin rather then to suffer. Christ biddeth us not fear poor vain man, but the omnipotent God, that is able both to kill, and to cast into Hell. The man that feareth his Landlord, who is able to turn him out of his house, and doth not fear God, who is able to turn him into Hell, this dastardly spirit is one of the Captains of those that go to hell, those timorous and cowardly persons, that tremble at the wrath or frowns of men, more then of God. But what's the reason men should thus stand more in fear of men, then of God? Why, it is because they are sensible of what men can do unto their bodies, but they cannot with Moses by faith see what that is that is invisible. They are full of unbelief; for had they faith, they would banish all false fears. See what the Lord saith, Esa. 41.14. Fear not thou worm Jacob, I will help thee, saith the Lord. He saith not, Fear not ye men, or thou man, for then perhaps thou mightest be thought to have some power to resist, but fear not thou worm. A worm (you know) is a poor weak thing, apt to be crushed ⟨p. 57⟩by every foot; yet be this thy case, be thou a worm, unable to resist the le•st opposition, yet fear not thou worm. Fear not, why? For I will help thee saith the Lord. Couldst thou but believe in God, this would make thee bold;
1. For whom the place is provided. The Text contains a Catalogue of that black Roll (though there are many more then are expressed) but here are the grand crimes, the ring leaders to destruction, the mother sins And here we have in the first place the Fearful: whereby is not meant those that are of a timorous nature (for fear simply is not a sin) those that are simply fearful; but such as place their fear on a wrong object, not where it should be: That fear not God, but other things more then God. Such as if affliction and iniquity were put to their choice, will rather choose iniquity then affliction: Rather then they will have any cross betide them, rather then they will incur the indignation of a man, rather then they will part with their life and goods for God's cause, will adventure on any thing, choosing iniquity rather then affliction; Job. 36.21. being afraid of what they should not fear, never hearing the great and mighty God: This is the fearful here meant. See how Elihu in Job expresses it. Job. 36.21. This hast thou chosen. This (that is) iniquity rather then affliction, to sin rather then to suffer. Christ biddeth us not fear poor vain man, but the omnipotent God, that is able both to kill, and to cast into Hell. The man that feareth his Landlord, who is able to turn him out of his house, and doth not fear God, who is able to turn him into Hell, this dastardly spirit is one of the Captains of those that go to hell, those timerous and cowardly persons, that tremble at the wrath or frowns of men, more then of God. But what's the reason men should thus stand more in fear of men, then of God? Why, it is because they are sensible of what men can do unto their bodies, but they cannot with Moses by faith see what that is that is invisible. They are full of unbelief; for had they faith, they would banish all false fears. See what the Lord saith, Esa. 41.14. Fear not thou worm Jacob, I will help thee, saith the Lord. He saith not, Fear not ye men, or thou man, for then perhaps thou mightest be thought to have some power to resist, but fear not thou worm. A worm (you know) is a poor weak thing, apt to be crushed ⟨p. 57⟩by every foot; yet be this thy case, be thou a worm, unable to resist the le•st opposition, yet fear not thou worm. Fear not, why? For I will help thee saith the Lord. Couldst thou but believe in God, this would make thee bold;
