I. The Frame of all the most agreeable to this Awful Day, is FEAR. ⟨p. 4⟩As Fear is the peculiar Plague of the Unhappy Times that are now rolling over us; for we are fallen into those Times whereof it was long since foretold, in Luc. 21. 26. Mens hearts▪ will fail them for Fear, and for Looking after those things which are coming on the Earth: So, Fear, 'tis to be the peculiar Grace of these Times: these are the Times, wherein every one, that would be safe, must follow the pattern of him, concerning whom, we are informed, in Heb. 11. 7. Being warned of God, of things not seen as yet, moved with Fear, he prepared an Ark, to the Saving of his House. There are, and one of the Ancients, tho' he saw not all things, could yet see that there ever were, four sorts of people in the world. There are some who, neither Hope nor Fear: Such are Atheistical Transgressors, to whom neither the Favour of God is Comfortable, nor His Anger Formidable. There are some who, Fear but Hope not; such are Despairing Transgressors; to whom the ⟨p. 5⟩Dreadful Thunderings of Mount Sinai, arrive without the Joyful Tidings of Mount Zion. There are some who, Hope but Fear not; Such are Presuming Transgressors, who as the Heathen usually Endued their Gods with Vices like their own, so these may have it spoken by God unto them, Thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one▪ as thy self. But there are some who both Hope and Fear: because God is Good, therefore He is their Hope, and because He is Just, therefore He is▪ their Fear; yea, They Fear the Lord and His Goodness; and, They Hope that being a God of Righteousness, He will Hear them. Such all people should be, and all pious people will be; especially Now at a Time, when every David would see more than ordinary cause to say, as in Psa. 119. 120. Lord, my Flesh Trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Judgments.
I. The Frame of all the most agreeable to this Awful Day, is FEAR. ⟨p. 4⟩As Fear is the peculiar Plague of the Unhappy Times that are now rolling over us; for we are fallen into those Times whereof it was long since foretold, in Luc. 21. 26. Mens hearts▪ will fail them for Fear, and for Looking after those things which are coming on the Earth: So, Fear, 'tis to be the peculiar Grace of these Times: these are the Times, wherein every one, that would be safe, must follow the pattern of him, concerning whom, we are informed, in Heb. 11. 7. Being warned of God, of things not seen as yet, moved with Fear, he prepared an Ark, to the Saving of his House. There are, and one of the Ancients, tho' he saw not all things, could yet see that there ever were, four sorts of people in the world. There are some who, neither Hope nor Fear: Such are Atheistical Transgressors, to whom neither the Favour of God is Comfortable, nor His Anger Formidable. There are some who, Fear but Hope not; such are Despairing Transgressors; to whom the ⟨p. 5⟩Dreadful Thundrings of Mount Sinai, arrive without the Joyful Tidings of Mount Sion. There are some who, Hope but Fear not; Such are Presuming Transgressors, who as the Heathen usually Endued their Gods with Vices like their own, so these may have it spoken by God unto them, Thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one▪ as thy self. But there are some who both Hope and Fear: because God is Good, therefore He is their Hope, and because He is Just, therefore He is▪ their Fear; yea, They Fear the Lord and His Goodness; and, They Hope that being a God of Righteousness, He will Hear them. Such all people should be, and all pious people will be; especially Now at a Time, when every David would see more than ordinary cause to say, as in Psa. 119. 120. Lord, my Flesh Trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Judgments.
