Vers. 5. [There they shall be taken with fear] We may read in the former part of the Psalm, how forward these men were unto all ungodliness, and unrighteousness; Doct. 1 and now see how they are affected, and thence learn this doctrine: 1that those that are most bold to commit sin, are most cowardly when dangers do approach. Hardiness, and venturousness in evil courses, hath commonly dastardliness attending thereupon, when any occasion of fear is offered. There they shall be taken with fear (saith the Prophet,) that is, in the very height of their impiety against the Lord, and of their cruelty against his servants; even there they shall be surprised with horror and astonishment, albeit they in their folly say, There is no God; and therefore rush into all abominations, utterly casting off the yoke of obedience, and delighting in nothing more, then in devouring Gods people: yet will he make them know that there is a God in heaven, that takes notice of their ⟨p. 82⟩works and of their ways; and if nothing else will cause them to believe it, the very torments and tortures which he suddenly and strangely inflicteth upon their consciences, shall make them, will they nill they, to confess it. For when they presume of all manner of safety, and do not so much as dream of any peril that is toward, because of the weakness and baseness of their adversaries; then some unexpected evil shall overtake them, and anguish shall come upon them, 2Even as travel upon a woman that is with-child; that is, suddenly, grievously, and unavoidably.
Vers. 5. [There they shall be taken with feare] Wee may reade in the former part of the Psalme, how forward these men were vnto al vngodlinesse, and vnrighteousnesse; Doct. 1 and now see how they are affected, and thence learne this doctrine: 1that those that are most bold to commit sinne, are most cowardly when dangers doe approch. Hardinesse, and venturousnes in euill courses, hath commonly dastardlinesse attending thereupon, when any occasion of feare is offered. There they shall bee taken with feare (saith the Prophet,) that is, in the very height of their impiety against the Lord, and of their cruelty against his seruants; euen there they shall bee surprized with horrour and astonishment, albeit they in their follie say, There is no God; and therefore rush into all abominations, vtterly casting off the yoake of obedience, and delighting in nothing more, then in deuouring Gods people: yet will hee make them know that there is a God in heauen, that takes notice of their ⟨p. 82⟩workes and of their waies; and if nothing else wil cause them to beleeue it, the very torments and tortures which hee suddenly and strangely inflicteth vpon their consciences, shall make them, wil they nill they, to confesse it. For when they presume of all manner of safety, and doe not so much as dreame of any perill that is toward, because of the weakenesse and basenesse of their aduersaries; then some vnexpected euill shall ouertake them, and anguish shall come vpon them, 2Euen as trauel vpon awoman that is with-child; that is, suddenly, grieuously, and vnauoidably.
- 1Boldness in sin brings dastardliness afterward.Boldnesse in sinne brings dastardlinesse afterward.
- 2Psal. 48.6.
