First, 1let us beware of all manner of sins, that no iniquity have entertainment with us; and labour to be at one with the Lord, that so our consciences may be at one with us: which if we can attain unto, we shall be strongly fortified against all unnecessary fears. According to that in the Psalm: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, &c. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings, &c. Where the ⟨p. 91⟩Prophet showeth, that he is an happy man that is truly religious, and showeth it forth by fearing of God, and delighting in his commandments, and by performing the duties of love and mercy towards his brethren: for as he shall be freed from all hurtful evils, so shall he be exempted from all passionate fear thereof. Note. Many wicked men have not the plague in their houses, and yet are plagued with the fear of it: and many godly men have their families visited therewith, and yet are not perplexed with such terrors: and the reason is yielded in that place, because their harts are fixed and established, and believe in the Lord. That is the foundation whereupon they build their courage and confidence, even the Lord himself, who is a sure stay to those that rely upon him. His children know that nothing can befall them without his providence, & that nothing shall betide them, but he will support them under it, and make them to profit by it: and what cause then have they to be distempered? If therefore we desire to have still & quiet harts, when others shall be even at their wits end, then let us get the breastplate of righteousness and innocency: for the righteous is bold as a Lion. Let us fear sin before it be committed, 2and when we are tempted thereunto, say with Job: Are there not strange punishments for the workers of iniquity? 3Will not the Lord be angry with me if I should commit this wickedness? will not mine own heart be discomforted? will not my spirit be made sad within me? how shall I be able to look the ⟨p. 92⟩Lord in the face, if he should lay his hand in any fearful manner upon me or mine, when I have so provoked him to his face, &c? Thus if we could fright our hearts from offending the Majesty of God, we should be as bold as Job was when the waves of adversity flow in upon us on every side: The Lord (saith he) hath given, 4and the Lord hath taken, blessed be the name of the Lord.
First, 1let vs beware of all manner of sinnes, that no iniquitie haue entertainment with vs; and labour to bee at one with the Lord, that so our consciences may be at one with vs: which if wee can attaine vnto, we shall be strongly fortified against all vnnecessary feares. According to that in the Psalme: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, &c. He shall not be afraid of euill tidings, &c. Where the ⟨p. 91⟩Prophet sheweth, that hee is an happie man that is truly religious, and sheweth it forth by fearing of God, and delighting in his commandements, and by performing the duties of loue and mercy towards his brethren: for as hee shall bee freed from all hurtfull euils, so shall hee bee exempted from all passionate feare thereof. Note. Many wicked men haue not the plague in their houses, and yet are plagued with the feare of it: and many godly men haue their families visited therewith, and yet are not perplexed with such terrors: and the reason is yeelded in that place, because their harts are fixed and established, and beleeue in the Lord. That is the foundation whereupon they build their courage and confidence, euen the Lord himselfe, who is a sure stay to those that relie vpon him. His children know that nothing can befall them without his prouidence, & that nothing shall betide them, but he will support them vnder it, and make them to profit by it: and what cause then haue they to be distēpered? If therfore we desire to haue stil & quiet harts, when others shal be euen at their wits end, then let vs get the brestplate of righteousnesse and innocencie: for the righteous is bold as a Lion. Let vs feare sin before it be committed, 2and when we are tempted therunto, say with Iob: Are there not strange punishments for the workers of iniquity? 3Will not the Lord be angry with me if I should commit this wickednesse? will not mine owne heart be discomforted? will not my spirit be made sad within mee? how shall I bee able to looke the ⟨p. 92⟩Lord in the face, if hee should lay his hand in any feareful manner vpon me or mine, when I haue so prouoked him to his face, &c? Thus if wee could fright our hearts from offending the Maiestie of God, wee should bee as bold as Iob was when the waues of aduersity flow in vpon vs on euery side: The Lord (saith he) hath giuen, 4and the Lord hath taken, blessed be the name of the Lord.
- 1Remedies against hellish fears. 1. Fear to offend. See M. Duds book. Come. 1. Psal. 112.Remedies against hellish feares. 1. Feare to offend. See M. Duds booke. Com. 1. Psal. 112.
- 2Prou. 28.1.
- 3Job 31.Iob 31.
- 4Job 1.21. Job. 13.15.Iob 1.21. Iob. 13.15.