Divine Characters in Two Parts, Part 1 · Chapter 28
CHAP. XXVIII. The Fearing Hypocrite. Is he in whom feare taketh part with ſinne.Defin.
THere is a feare of God, which, in the language of the holy Ghoſt in Scripture, comprehendeth the whole body of ReligionaDeut. 6.13, and Practice of PietybIſa. 29 13 Pſ…l 34.9; of which, love is the root, and feare the proper AttributecHeb. 12.28. Herein alſo the hypocrite ſeemeth to partake: for, even the ſinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulneſſe ſurprizeth the hypocrites dIſa. 33.14: for, the hypocrite that never feareth to commit ſin, unleſſe when ſome judgment is threatned, cannot but feare when ſin is committed, and conſcience awakened. All ſinners are afraid: but, much more ſinners in Zion, becauſe there, God ſhineth ePſal. 50.2; yea, burnethfHeb. 12.29, where he meets with ſuch briars and thornes, as this hypocrite ſets againſt him in battel gIſa. 27.4. He is bold and fool-hardie to commit ſin, whereby he provoketh God, and bids him battel; and then, ſo ſoon as he findes God muſtering his forces, ſo to be in his march againſt him, his belly trembleth, his lips quiver, and rottenneſſe entreth into his bones, not in hope as Habakkuk hHab. 3.16; but as deſpairing of mercy, and crying out, Who among us ſhall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us ſhall dwell with everlaſting burnings?
But his feare of God is not on Gods ſide, but againſt him, and is an enemie both to God and himſelf. For, it is under the command and ſervice of ſinne, which firſt allures, and then affrights, like the old Prophet of Bethel, that firſt by a lie, drew the man of God, who had prophecied againſt Jeroboams Altar, to eat bread in his houſe, contrary to Gods commandi1 Kings 13.18, and then prophecieth ſharply againſt the deluded Prophet for diſobeying the voice of the LordkVer. 20, 21. This feare is no help to prevent or cure ſin, as in the godly; but a meanes to encreaſe, and aggravate ſin; putting him upon the committing of new ſinnes, out of a vain hope of avoiding ſhame or other puniſhment for ſinnes formerly committed.
On the contrary, Feare, in a Chriſtian, makes him to take part with God, Differ.againſt ſinne.
In him, fear is a grace, that promoteth the ſervice of God, and the exerciſe of godlineſſe; In thy fear I will worſhip, ſaith David. It is a barre to ſinne, not an inſtrument of it, a remedy againſt ſin, not an incentive to it, as we ſee in Joſeph, ſolicited by his whoriſh Miſtreſſe; How can I do this great wickedneſſe, and ſin against God mGen. 39.9? The feare of God made him to look upon it as a wickedneſſe, as a great wickedneſſe, as a ſin againſt his Maker, as well as againſt his Maſter; and all this puts him upon an Interrogation, How can I do it? which argues an abhorrencie as well as a refuſal of it.
Feare quickens him to ſerve God, and orders him in his rejoycing, whereby he may do both to the honour of God. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoyce with trembling nPſal. 2.11. It is the beſt companion to paſſe the time with; it makes a man to paſſe the time of his dwelling here in feare o1 Pet. 1.17. It is the beſt wiſdom, the choiceſt underſtanding pJob 28.28; for, by the feare of the Lord men depart from evilqProv. 16.6: for this is the very genius of it; the feare of the Lord is to hate evil, pride, arrogancie, and the evil way rProv. 8.13. So much feare of God, ſo much hatred of ſin, as contrary to the true feare of God: ſo much freedome from pride, arrogancie, and every evil way, becauſe fear makes humble, meek, and careful in all things to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleaſing.
Thus, this hypocrites feare makes him like Saul, to do what belongs not unto him, and ſo to play the fool t1 Sam. 13.12 13; the fear of the true Chriſtian is like Abigail to David, keeping him from ſhedding of blood u1 Sam. 25.33. To the one, feare is an ignis fatuus, or fooles fire that leads, or rather hurries him into the boggs and pits of ſinne; to the other, the feare of the Lord is his treaſure wIſa. 33.6, that keeps him farre from it.
Character 1 This hypocrite feareth not God, if he can chooſe.
If he may have his choice, he will never chuſe the feare of the Lord xProv. 1.29. Yea, ſo far is he from making it his election, that he verifieth that which was unjuſtly charged upon Job; he casteth off feare, he deſireth to live without it. Nay, he hardeneth his heart, as much as he may, againſt this fearezProv. 28.14; yea, even mocking at it, as the horſe doth the approach of the battelaJob. 39.22, ſaying among the trumpets Ha, Ha bVer. 25. He maketh many a bulwark and block-houſe againſt the feare of God, and hath choice of privy coates to defend himſelf againſt it, at leaſt in his own vain imagination.
He putteth on preſumption, as a cloak. If God ſend his ſervants to threaten him for his wickedneſſe, in ſtead of trembling at his Word, he makes a piſh at it; and when he heareth the words of the Curſe, he bleſſeth himſelf in his heart, ſaying, I ſhall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart cDeut. 29.19. He builds high on a ſandy foundation. His preſumption is all he hath to plead for his deſperate attempts, and this is no other, as one ſaith, than hope out of her wits: yet this makes him to adventure upon any thing, although it hath in it more of hazard than of uſe, or hope: ſo that till God hath beaten him out of all his confidences, and made him to finde by experience that he ſhall not proſper in them dJer. 2.37, he is reſolved not to feare.
If God let him alone for a while in his ſin, without puniſhment, he boldly interprets Gods ſilence, as a connivance at, if not allowance of his wickedneſſe. Theſe things haſt thou done, ſaith God, and I kept ſilence: and thou thoughteſt that I was altogether ſuch a one as thy ſelf ePſal. 50.21. God did it, to ſee if he would feare him, and by repentance prevent the plagues; but this he never meant. Have not I held my peace, ſaith the Lord, and thou fearest me not fIſa. 51.11? And ſo, he verifieth that obſervation of the Preacher; Becauſe ſentence againſt an evil work is not executed ſpeedily, therefore the heart of the ſonnes of men is fully ſet in them to do evil gEccl. 8.12; and hence, when once frozen in their dregs, they ſay in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil hZeph. 1.12.
If he obſerve wicked men to proſper in their wickedneſſe. If he finde, or but thinks he findeth that they that work wickedneſſe are ſet up, and that they that tempt God are even delivered iMal. 3.15; eſpecially, if he have had this experience in himſelf: he concludeth that there is no need of fearing God; but joynes with them, who becauſe they have no changes, therefore they feare not God kPſal. 55.19.
Yea, he ſtaves off feare of Gods judgements by the multitude of his wicked mates. I have fellowes enow, ſaith he; I do no more than all the world in their times have done before, and daily do before my face: Will God deſtroy ſo many millions for ever, for a trifle, a ſmall fault, (for ſo he accounts all ſins that he hath a mind to) ſcarce worth the talking of? Therefore, as malefactors, (if many) uſe to grow confident of a general pardon; ſo this hypocrite growes bold, upon the innumerable company of offendors in the ſame kinde, not to trouble himſelf for what he hath done, nor to be afraid of going on in the ſame courſe. This, he the rather doth, as perſwaded of his own power to repent when he will, and throw off ſin when ever he pleaſeth; and as applying promiſes, and only the promiſes of mercy; (God is merciful, and Chriſt came to ſave ſinners,) whereas the portion of ſuch, are threatnings only, and no promiſes of mercy. For, God will wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy ſcalp of ſuch a one as goeth on ſtill in his treſpaſſes lPſal. 68.21.
Contrarily,Differ. the true Chriſtian daily laboureth and prayeth for more and more of the feare of God.
It is his ſtudy. He is devoted to it mPſal. 119.38. It is his choice, unite my heart, that I may feare thy Name nPſal. 86.11. It is his treaſure: he ſearcheth for wiſdom as for hidden treaſures, to this very end, that he may underſtand the feare of the Lord oProv. 2.5, that he may know both the excellency, and the uſe of it. If it be otherwiſe with him, he complaineth of himſelf: for no man feareth death more than he feareth hardneſſe of heart: Yea, he expoſtulateth with God himſelf, ſo often as he feeles that God reſtraineth the ſweet influence of his Spirit in putting his feare into his heart, Why haſt thou made us to erre from thy wayes, and hardened our hearts from thy feare pIſa. 63.17? This the Church doth, not charging God fooliſhly, as if he led them out of the way, or put any ſinful quality into them, which cauſed hardneſſe of heart; but, as bemoaning her ſelf for giving God cauſe to leave her to the wandrings of her own ſpirit, and to that natural frame of heart, that is apt to harden it more and more.
He feareth God upon deliberation, as that by which he ſteereth all his actions. Therefore Joſeph, after he had put all his brethren into ward three dayes, as Spies, to make them taſte of his power, who had made him to feel their tyranny, he at length reſolves upon a more milde proceeding, ſaying unto them, This do, and live, for I feare God qGen. 42.18. However they had uſed him when he was in their power, the feare of God made him to deal otherwiſe with them, when they were in his. This feare is his character by which he would be known, as appeareth in Job; his friends caſting this in his teeth, Is not this thy feare, thy confidence, the uprightneſſe of thy wayes, and thy hope rJob 4.6? He had given out, that he feared God, and he did ſo; and upon that ground, he had promiſed much unto himſelf from God, and laid up much hope in God, and walked uprightly before him. And now being under a world of calamities, his friends upbraid him with his feare of God, as being not ſincere, but hypocritical and falſe; as concluding that, if it were not ſo, theſe loſſes and miſeries ſhould never have befallen him; whereas, on the contrary, God ſuffered the Devil to lay all this upon him for the trial of his ſinceritysJob 1.8, 9, 10 11, 12. The fear of God is his life and livelihood. He can do nothing without it; he can neither perfect his ſanctification, nor work out his ſalvation, but with feare and trembling tPhil. 2.12.
Thus, this hypocrite feareth God, as the Medes and Perſians feared the Jewes, when the feare of the Jewes, and of Mordecai, fell upon them uEſth. 8.17, 9, 3: He will fear him, when he dares do no other: the true Chriſtian feareth God, as the wife her husbandwEph. 5.33, out of love to obey him: the one feareth him, when he ſeeth the ſword drawn againſt himxNumb. 22.31: the other feareth God, becauſe he loves him: the one ſerveth God with a ſlaviſh feare, which love caſteth outy1 John 4.18; the other, with a filial feare, which love cheriſheth moſt, when love is moſt perfect.
This hypocrite, if he muſt needs feare, feareth man more than God. Character 2
By his good-will, he would imitate that Judge that neither feared God, nor regarded man zLuke 18.2. But, if the lawes, power, or wrath of man be likely to reach him, he looks about him; although not without regret, that he is kept in awe. He dares to make bold with God, becauſe he ſcarce beleeves there is a God, until he feel him. But man he feareth, becauſe he ſeeth daily how ſtrict he is with others; and that, many times, his tender mercies are cruel. He knoweth that the wrath of a King is as the roaring of a Lion aProv. 19.12, yea, as the meſſengers of death bProv. 16.14.. This therefore he endeavoureth to pacifie. But let God be angry with the wicked every day cPſal. 7.11, he regardeth not, becauſe there is no feare of God before his eyes: for he flattereth himſelf in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful dPſal. 36.1, 2. He flattereth himſelf with hope of impunity, becauſe he is ſure no eye of man ſees, and therefore no hand of man can touch him; which makes him to adventure further and further; till at laſt he proclaim his own ſhame, by a more open and ſhameleſſe committing of evil, which makes him hateful to all.
If he cannot promiſe himſelf impunity from man, who beareth not the ſword in vain: he then feareth; but, it is becauſe of wrath, not for conſcience ſake eRom. 13.4, 5. And it is juſt with God, that he that will not feare God, ſhall be made to feare ſomething elſe: yea, he that feareth not God, feareth every thing elſe. Thus, when Cain had caſt off the feare of God, the feare of man, like a tyrant, ſeiſed on him, making him to complain to God, when it was too late, every one that findeth me ſhall ſlay me fGen. 4.14. His own guilt makes him to imagine, that he that had murdered his own brother, ſhould himſelf meet with a murderer in every place. And rather than he will chooſe the feare of the Lord, he will yet proceed ſo far in evil, as that the Lord will force him to feare other things ſo much, as to flee, when no man purſueth gProv. 28.1; yea, to be in great feare, where no fear is hPſal. 53.5.
This God doth for the good of humane ſociety, that the feare of man ſhould fall upon him that will not feare God. This is a ſnaffle for wicked doers, to reſtrain at leaſt, ſuch as hate to be reformediDeut. 13.11: and it is a ſnare (rather than a preſervative) to himſelf that thus feares man, and will not feare God, making ſuch a Coward deſperate, and too boldly to ruſh on the pikes of Gods diſpleaſure, while he obeyeth man, even againſt God himſelf, to avoid the diſpleaſure of man.
Differ.Contrariwiſe, the true Chriſtian feareth God more than man.
He feareth God, even when he needeth not to feare men, but could make them to be afraid of him. He will not do evil, although for advantage, and with aſſurance of impunity from man: he will do good, though with danger and diſadvantage from man, becauſe he feareth God; as Daniel, in continuing his ſupplications to God, even when man had made a ſharp Law againſt itkDan. 6, 10. He ſo feareth God, that he alone is his feare lIſa. 8.13, when others would make him afraid of fearing God. As the three children feared God more than the fiery furnace, becauſe they feared not him that could only kill the body; but him, that after he hath killed, hath power to caſt into hell mLuke 12.4, 5. As one nail driveth out another, ſo Gods feare driveth out the unwarrantable feare of man. Therefore, the Chriſtian feareth God, that he may not be afraid of man, commanding things contrary unto God.
The true feare of God devoures in him all falſe feares, as Aarons Rod, turned into a Serpent, ſwallowed all the counterfeit ſerpents of the MagiciansnExod. 7.12. The feare of man doth but deferre an evil work, for want of opportunity to commit it; but the true feare of God correcteth the very evil intent, as well as the act it ſelf; yea, though there be opportunity, impunity, and advantage alſo: as we ſee in Joſeph abhorring the leud requeſt of his wanton MiſtreſſeoGen. 39.9. He therefore ſets up the feare of God in his heart, that he may not only do no evil, but hate it: and that this feare may caſt out all baſe feares out of his heart, which might, in the leaſt, deterre him from good, or fright him into evil.
Thus, this hypocrite is like the Gibeonites, that hearing what Joſhua had done to Jericho, and to Ai, made a league with him pJoſh. 9.11, to avoid the dint of his ſword; but not with God, whoſe battels he fought. The true Chriſtian ſo feareth God, that it makes him to deny himſelf, (not only in unlawful, but) even in lawful things, if by uſing his liberty, he ſhould oppreſſe others, whom he need not to feare; as Nehemiah, who would not do as the Governours before him had done, becauſe of the feare of God qNehem. 5.15: the one feareth man, but not God; the other, feareth God that he may not be afraid of man.
Character 3 This hypocrite feareth God unwillingly.
If he muſt feare God, it ſhall be when he can ſtand it out no longer; and, againſt his will. The feare of God will be an unwelcome gueſt. It is as a fit of an Ague to the body; or, as grief, to the minde: which many are conſtrained to harbour, but few bid welcome. Therefore, feare is ſaid to ſurprize him rIſa. 33.14. It comes upon him as a Sergeant upon a bad debtor; as an armed man upon a Coward: it ſeiſeth on him as it doth on the devils, who are forc't to beleeve and tremble sJam. 2.19, whereas they would not willingly do either. Feare hath torment t1 John 4.18, when forcedly wrought by the ſpirit of bondage: and therefore it can neither be loved, nor ſtand with the love of that which is feared.
He is willing to be rid of his feare, and, if it might be, of the object alſo. Whom a man feareth, he hateth, and whom he hateth, he would be glad to ſee deſtroyed: at leaſt, he ſtriveth againſt it, and laboureth all he can to forget it. Felix likes well to hear Paul, if Paul will underſtand the true reaſon of his ſo often ſending for him, and communing with him uActs 24.26: but, if once Paul making him tremble by his preaching; Felix quickly diſmiſſeth him, Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient ſeaſon I will call for thee wVer. 25: when he had a minde to the Rack again, he would ſend for Paul to put him upon it. God is as welcome to him, as Elijah to Ahab x1 King. 21.20: or, as Chriſt to the devils coming to torment them before the time yMat. 8.29. And a day is coming, wherein he will chooſe rather to ſpeak to the rocks and mountaines to fall upon him, and grinde him to powder, than to look him in the face that ſitteth upon the throne, or endure the wrath of the Lamb zRev. 6.16, whoſe nature is not to be fierce.
On the contrary,Differ. the Chriſtian rejoyceth to finde his heart ſtored with the feare of the Lord.
He entertaineth it, as the delight of his ſoul. He would not have it as a ſtranger, or as a wayfaring man, that tarrieth only for a night aJer. 14.8, as God ſometimes (in anger) is to his people: but he would have it, to take up its perpetual habitation in his heart, and he layeth it up as his treaſure bIſa. 33.6. It is not, in him, as a ſhort fit of paſſion, accidentally or unwillingly ſeiſing upon him, but it is an habit infuſed of God, and retained by exerciſe, wherewith he delighteth to have his ſoul habituated, and as it were attired continually. He is ſo far from labouring to remove, that he enviteth both the object feared, and provoketh his thoughts to be continually intent thereupon; the one, by prayer; the other, by meditation.
He looketh upon feare, not as his miſery, but his happineſſe, not as his enemie, but as the beſt watch to diſcover the enemie, whereby he may keep the fort of his ſoul in more ſafety. Feare may be a weak ſouldier, but a good Centinel, that will be ſure to cry, a Lion, my Lord, as ſtanding continually upon the watch tower cIſa. 21.8. It is not ſluggiſh, but provoketh to induſtry, and maketh him to work out his ſalvation with feare dPhil. 2.12, to come ſhort of it eHeb. 4.1, and, with trembling, to neglect any meanes to attain it. Timerous Tully was as uſeful to his Countrey, as reſolute Pompey, or valerous Caeſar. And true feare is as ſerviceable to the ſoul to give warning of enemies; as faith, to open the door to friends.
Thus, this hypocrite entertaineth fear as the Citizens of Gadara, or Gargaſenes, did Chriſt; they came out to meet him, but they no ſooner ſaw him, but they beſought him to depart out of their coaſts fMat. 8.34: they had ſoon enough of him: the true Chriſtian entertaineth it, as Abraham, the Angels, whom he ran to meet upon a better account, ſaying, My Lord, if I now have found favour in thy ſight, paſſe not away, I pray thee, from thy ſervant gGen. 8.2, 3. The one entertaineth feare, as a fury to torment him; the other, as a friend, to direct him.
This hypocrite feareth God only as a Tormentor. Character 4
He looketh upon him with the eye of a malefactor that hath not gotten his pardon, (nor endeavoured it) upon his Judge, or the executioner. Or as men naturally feare devils, or as devils feare God: for the feare of hypocrites and devils is all one. His feare is foreign. ſuch a timidity as un-mans a man, making him ſtupid, and ſluggiſh: Or it is foreign, a kinde of ſuperſtitious panick feare cauſing terrour, and to look upon God as terriculamentum quid, as ſome dreadful thing, as ſome Mormo among the heathens. A feare that makes him to run from God, as Adam, in the GardenhGen. 3.8, 10.
And indeed, how can an evil conſcience think of God, without horrour? Guilt looks upon God as an angry and as a mighty enemy, When the impure, unjuſt, falſe hypocrite ſhall look upon the purity, juſtice, wrath of God, the truth of his threatnings, and unavoidableneſſe of his juſt judgement and vengeance; what a plight muſt he needs be in! How can he but tremble, and be at his wits end for feareiP…al. 107.…7! And it is juſt with God, that he who while he heard of mercy, feared not, but grew bold upon God, not as upon a friend, but rather as a weak and indulgent enemie: ſhould ever after look upon God as a conſuming fire kHeb. 12.29, not to refine, but to burne him, without hope of mercy.
Differ.Contrarily, the true Chriſtian feareth God for his mercy.
He is not ignorant of the terrours of the Lord l1 Cor. 5.11; yea, he only, knoweth rightly, the power of his wrath mPſal. 90.11: and forgets not to tremble when the Lion roareth nAmos 3 8, not againſt him, but his enemies, as Habakkuk oH…b. 3.16. Howbeit, if none of this were ſo, if God tell him, Anger, or fury is not in me pIſa. 27 4, this will not abate, but rather increaſe his feare of God; he will feare the Lord more by how much he hath found more mercy; and, thus interprets all that he heares, all that he taſteth of mercy, there is mercy with thee that thou mayeſt be feared qPſal. 130.4.
Thus, this hypocrite feareth God as an enemie, the Chriſtian feareth him as his beſt friend: the one feareth as looking for nothing from him but evil; the other feareth him for his goodneſſe, and as expecting nothing but good.
Character 5 This hypocrites feare is ſlaviſh and legal.
It is natural to all men (Chriſt himſelf not excepted) to feare harme, paine, ſorrow, and whatſoever is an enemy to Nature. Nature it ſelf recoileth and ſtarteth back from whatſoever annoyeth it. This is a feare that is incident to the godly, as well as to the wicked: and is not the feare that is here intended. This, man was endowed with in his Creation, and is no fruit of his tranſgreſſion, in the nature of it.
There is a feare alſo that is natural to all ſinners, to feare and ſhun Gods Preſence and Juſtice, as Adam, ſo ſoon as he incurred guilt, he purchaſed ſhame and feare, and hid himſelf from GodrGen. 3.10. Cain, after did the like: and ſo will all, till God ſpeak peace by Jeſus Chriſt. Natural conſcience alone is able to conjure up this ſpirit, when none elſe accuſeth, if permitted to do its officesRom. 2.15: how much more when God, by the operation of his own Spirit arraigneth the ſinner, cauſing conſcience to give in evidence according to the Law, and convincing the ſinner by the light of the Law, that he is in himſelf a loſt man, that can expect nothing but hell and damnation as the fruit and wages of his ſins.
This is that legal and ſervile feare, that makes men to ſee their bondage to ſin and Satan, and to feare God as ſlaves that expect nothing but the whip, or halter: This the Holy Ghoſt worketh, by ſetting on the terrours of the Law upon the tranſgreſſors of it, and awakening and inciting conſcience to affright and terrifie the ſinner, that he may go out of himſelf, and ſeek remedy in Chriſt, or periſh for ever. And for this, is the Holy Ghoſt called a ſpirit of bondage, which cauſeth fear tRom. 8.15, and torment u1 John 4.18.
But, the feare of the hypocrite is yet, in the iſſue at leaſt, more ſlaviſh than that of the common ſinner, when after all his trifling and dallying with God, God preſenteth himſelf, as a devouring fire, and as everlasting burnings to his ſoulewIſa. 33 14, that hath ſinned againſt knowledge, and againſt the light not only of nature and conſcience, but of the Law, yea, and of the Spirit of illumination it ſelfxHeb. 6 4. Then he comes to be afraid with a witneſſe: and the more, becauſe a ſinner of Zion, that in the land of uprightneſſe hath dealt unjuſtly yIſa. 26.10; even when he profeſſed to walk uprightly, and pretended to be a great ſervant of the Lord. His feare therefore muſt needs be ſuch as excludeth faith, whereby he is ranged with the unbelieving, that are excluded heavenzRev. 21.8: for an hypocrite ſhall not come before him aJob 13.16.
Differ.Contrariwiſe, the feare of the true Chriſtian is filial and Evangelical.
He firſt underwent the ſpirit of bondage, and hath taſted deeply of legal feare in his firſt repentance and converſion: nor is he yet wholly freed from it, becauſe ſtill clogg'd with remains of corruption: for, ſin not being perfectly aboliſhed, conſcience cannot be abſolutely pacified; yea, any ſin in him creates him more violent convulſion fits of feare, than to other men who have not taſted ſo largely of the love of Chriſt. Therefore he ſaith unto God, my fleſh trembleth for feare of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgements bPſal. 119, and prayeth, in wrath remember mercy cHab. 3.2. But there is great oddes between him and the hypocrite, in the matter of his feare.
It is in the Chriſtian ever mixed with filial fear, which makes him to feare God as a Father, with more care, and ſo gets into the room of the other feare which can no more have entire poſſeſſion of him. This legal feare is not now his temper, but an accident; not his food, but his medicine. It maketh way not for deſparation, as in the wicked, whoſe feare ſhall come upon them; but for a further work of the Spirit of adoption, and liberty, giving him, upon the renewing of his repentance, new evidence of Gods love in the pardon of the ſin that did affright him, and more ſtrength againſt it for the time to come. It is as the needle to make way for that thread by which he is more ſtrongly faſtened unto Chriſt: by bondage he comes to liberty, by doubting to aſſurance, by legal terrours to Evangelical conſolations.
It is ſuch a feare as drives him, not from God, as it did Adam, but unto God, as we ſee in Moſes, who though he were faine to cry out, I exceedingly tremble and quake dHeb. 12.21, yet he drew nearer unto God, when God commanded his approacheExod. 19.20; And even when he ſaith, Wo is me, for I am undone, becauſe I am a man of polluted lips; for mine eyes have ſeen the King, the Lord of hostes fIſa. 6.5, 7; yet he ſtarted not, but ſtayed by it, until he had received a gracious anſwer, thine iniquity is taken away, and thy ſin purged fIſa. 6.5, 7. Although he be too weak to conteſt with God, yet he flieth not, but layeth hold on mercy, and is forgiven his iniquity. So that, this return of legal feare, at times, to the Chriſtian, is but as the Shepherds dog, that never is let looſe upon him, but when he ſtrugleth; and then, perhaps, nips him by the leg, but teares not out his throat. It may make him ſmart, but not wound him; or if it bite deep, yet the wound is healed, before it be feſtered; and, he is made a gainer by it, before he part with it.
For however, legal feares may ſometimes, haunt a Chriſtian, like a fury; eſpecially when he growes careleſſe, and apt to back-ſliding; yet, even after deliverance from Gods wrath, by the blood of Chriſt, and the evidence of pardon witneſſed by his Spirit, it is not incongruous, nor unprofitable for him to fear. For, whether he conſider the caſe in which he once was, feare ends not with the danger; nor ſhame, with the pardon of ſingEzek. 16.63. Even among the effects and teſtimonies of repentance, feare hath her placeh2 Cor. 7.11. Caſſander is reported to have trembled at the ſight of the Statue of Alexander, when he was now dead, and Caſſander had gotten the Kingdom of Macedonia, and Dominion of all Greece: ſo the Chriſtian, when the quarrel is taken up by Chriſt, the conflict of conſcience ended, and all reconciled, is yet ſometimes troubled at the remembrance of God, even when he is pacified towards him iPſal. 77.3. Or, whether he conſider his preſent condition, he is not without cauſe of feare, for that he dares not ſtand to a legal trial, when he is at his very beſtkPſ. 130.3.143, 2: nor is he at all times ſure that he hath arguments enow to aſſure himſelf that judgement belongs not to him: his ſalvation is not finiſhed without feare and trembling. Much is required to anſwer Satan and his own conſcience, before he be able to maſter all doubts about his tranſlation from death to life. To ſay nothing of his beholding the judgements of God upon others, and to hear the threatnings thundred out againſt ſuch as he is not able to accuſe of halfe the evils that he knows by himſelfe. If the Lion roare, who will not feare lAmos 3.8.? If the father be angry with his ſervant, the childe cannot but tremble.
Howbeit, even at his loweſt ebbe, and ſtrongeſt paroxyſme of feare, filial feare hath ever the rule of his heart. His feare is foreign, reverence and godly fear, heedful obſervance, out of honour and lovemHeb. 12.28. A feare that makes him to honour God, not to hate him; to cl…ave to him, not to depart from him. This feare is proper; the other, but accidental; this is predominant, the other ſubſervient. This feare is joyned with faith, although the other muſter up all the doubts it can in him, and ends in deſpair in others.
Thus, this hypocrite feareth God, as Saul feared the Philiſtines, ready to break in upon himn1 Sam. 13.12; the other feareth God, as the Iſraelites feared Joſhua, all the dayes of his life oJoſh. 4.14; and that was, to do all that he commanded them, and to go whitherſoever he ſent them pJoſh. 1.16. The one feareth him as a tyrant, the other as a father.
Character 6 This hypocrites feare diſmayeth, astoniſheth and confoundeth him.
It is to him like the falling ſickneſſe that makes him altogether inſenſible; or like the pangs of death. His feare is an horrour of conſcience, making both ſoul and body ſick: it taketh away not only comfort, but health, and ſenſe. It is like a clap of thunder that both terrifieth, and ſtupifieth. It maketh ſo amazed, that he lets the enemie, Satan, to do what he will to him, and with him. It is a fury that begets a phrenſie. Thou ſhalt be mad for the ſight of thine eyes which thou ſhalt behold qDeut. 28.34. It changeth the very name of the wicked man into Magor-miſſabib, one that is a terrour to himſelf, and to all his friends rJer. 20.3, 4.
Within him is the earth-quake of an evil conſcience; over him, the heavens are in a flame of fire, ready to raine rivers of brimſtone upon him, as once upon Sodom; under him, hell gaping to devoure him; on the right hand, Chriſt the Judge, with all his holy Angels and Saints to condemn him; on his left hand, the devil ready to drag him into hell, there to torment him for ever. Thus, terrors ſhall make him afraid on every ſide, and ſhall drive him to his feet sJob 18.11, the firſt-borne of death (that is, the devil, who firſt ſinned) ſhall devoure his ſtrength tVer. 13. It is not a feare that quickens to induſtry for preventing the thing feared; but a feare that unlooſeth the joynts, making altogether unfit for duty: yea, it ſometimes bereaves of life it ſelfe, as we ſee in Ananias and Sapphira. It doth proſternate without recovery.
Differ.On the contrary, the feare of a true Chriſtian quickens him to duty.
His feare doth not contract, but dilate his ſoul. He findes the truth of that promiſe, thine heart ſhall feare, and be enlarged uIſa. 60.5. It is a watchful guard to keep all ſafe, a well-ſpring of life to depart from the ſnares of death wProv. 14.27. It makes him to depart from evil, and ſo is health to his navel, and marrow to his bones xProv. 3.7, 8. It maketh not leſſe valiant, but more conſiderate, and therefore more confident; In the feare of the Lord is strong confidence yProv. 14.26. As the Zealanders, fearing the ſea, make all ſafe; ſo the Chriſtian by feare ſecureth himſelf from the ſea of ſin, and gulfe of damnation.
Thus, this hypocrite feareth God as Belſhazzar did the hand that wrote upon the wall, his thoughts troubled him, the joynts of his loines were looſed, and his knees ſmote one againſt another zDan. 5.6. The true Chriſtian feareth God, as the mariners that caſt Jonah into the ſea, which thereupon ceaſed her raging; they offered a ſacrifice unto him, and made vowes aJon. 1.16. Fear in the one is without faith; and ſo, as phyſick, without help of nature, healeth not, but killeth: feare in the other, is as phyſick unto nature, able to cloſe with it, and ſo is recovered by it.
Character 7 This hypocrites feare is but a flaſh.
It is a ſudden fright, rather then a ſetled feare: and he is ſcared, rather than humbled. When God flaſheth terrours in his face, he is then low before the Lord, as Ahab, threatned by Elijah b1 King. 21.27. If God ſpeak by an hand-writing from the wall, he may change countenance, and be exceedingly troubled at the preſent. But it never reduceth him to a breaking off of his ſins by repentance, becauſe it is not in him an habit, but as a blaſt of winde or a flaſh of lightning, as ſoon gone as come. While the Schoolmaſter ſhaketh his rod, and begins to lay on the idle, and unruly, the leudeſt boy in the ſchool, begins to ſhake: but ſo ſoon as the correction is over, he is the ſame he was. So it is with the hypocrite who ſeemes to be on the ſudden much affected; but, the object being once out of ſight, his feare is at an end.
Contrarily, the true Chriſtian feareth alwayes bProv. 8.14.Differ.
It is in him, a grace infuſed and ſetled by God in his heart, to this very end, that he may not depart from the Lord cJer. 32.40. It therefore muſt needs be perpetual. It is an individual companion that goeth with him into all places and companies. I thy ſervant, ſaith Obadiah to the Prophet, feare the Lord from my youth d1 King. 18.12. The true Chriſtian is in the feare of the Lord, as in his proper element, (as the fiſh in the water, out of which he cannot live) all the day long eProv. 23.17, Not that a Chriſtian alwayes in the ſame degree feareth God: but he hath alwayes the ſame ſeed of God abiding in him. The cords of his feare may be ſlackened, but they are never cut. He is alwayes afraid to offend, even while he offendeth: and if his feare be not ſtrong enough to keep him from offending, yet it faileth not to make him careful to reconcile himſelf unto God.
Thus, feare in this hypocrite, maketh an inroad, or ſudden incurſion, where it intends not to ſtay; feare in the true Chriſtian is as a ſtanding garriſon that is never removed. In the one, feare is as the muſhroom that ſhoots up in a night, and dies before the next evening; in the other, it is as the fire of the Sanctuary that was never to go out.
This hypocrites feare is of puniſhment, not of ſin. Character 8
He feareth God, as a malefactor feareth the Judge: not as fearing to commit ſin, but as afraid of puniſhment for ſin committed. He is afraid of God as of an enemy, yet is not afraid to make him an enemy, or to uſe God as an enemy, or to be himſelf an enemy to God. He feareth what God in his juſtice and wrath will do unto him, but never feareth him ſo as to avoid what may draw his juſtice and wrath upon him. He feareth not his Precepts, ſo as to obey them: he only feares his judgements due for diſobedience; and therefore wiſheth he could either diſarme, or eſcape him, rather than ſubmit unto him in the way of his judgements.
He is affected to Gods juſtice, as malefactors are to the juſtice of their Prince; not to love them for it, but rather to hate them for feare thereof, wiſhing to him, and it, weak hands, blinde eyes, or lame feet, rather than labouring to avoid that which may make him to fall under it. Or, if he be afraid of ſin, it is only for the puniſhment which it draws after it. He would not feare ſin, unleſſe he were to feele the ſmart of it. Sin is to his pallate a ſweet morſel, which he likes well; but, if he forbear it, it is for feare the reckoning will be too heavy. Let any but ſecure him againſt puniſhment, and he will never be afraid of the greateſt wickedneſſe in the world. He feares only devouring fire, and everlaſting burnings fIſa. 33.14. If he can but keep his skin whole, feare he that will.
On the contrary,Differ. the true Christian feareth ſinne as the greatest puniſhment.
He feareth more to be given up of God to his own hearts lusts (ſo as to walk in his own counſels gPſal. 81.12) than to all the enemies he hath in the world. To him there is no judgement ſo great as the want of grace, and eſpecially of the feare of God. Take this from him, by the want whereof he ſhould go aſtray from God, and he accounts himſelf undone. For this, he cannot forbear expoſtulating with God himſelf, Why haſt thou made us to erre from thy wayes, and hardened our hearts from thy feare hIſa. 63.17? He had rather ſuffer any thing than be expoſed to this judgement.
He feareth himſelf, leaſt he ſhould fall into ſin, and thereby do wrong to God, and harm to his own ſoul, more than he feareth all the judgements which God inflicteth upon ſinners. He feareth the ſin of an Oath, (although now, cuſtome,iEccl. 9.2 in old and young, men and women, to the ſhame of all ages, ſexes, and ranks of men, have taken away the ſhame of it, in the account of the world) more than he feareth God as a ſwift witneſſe againſt his ſwearingkMal. 3.5. He is aſhamed of ſinlRom. 6.21, more than of puniſhment. Yea, ſhame to him is better than feare; or rather the beſt feare; becauſe ingenuous ſhame is not without feare of turpitude, but feare of puniſhment is too often found without ſhame to ſin.
Thus, this hypocrite when ſome judgement ſtandeth in his way, ready to ſeiſe him, ſaith unto God as Balaam to the Angel, that ſtood with a drawn ſword to kill him; Now therefore if it diſpleaſe thee I will get me back again mNum. 22.34: the other, even when no judgement is near, prayeth with David, Keep back thy ſervant from preſumptuous ſinnes, let them not have dominion over me nPſal. 19.13: The one cares not what ſin he commits, ſo he may be free from puniſhment; the other cares not what affliction he undergoeth, ſo he may be free from ſin.
Character 9 This hypocrites feare baniſheth love.
He feareth not God, but as an enemy; and therefore upon the ſame account cannot love, but hate him. Such feare, and love cannot ſtand together in the ſame ſoul, no more than darkneſſe and light in the ſame horizon. In proſperity he will ſeem to love God, becauſe he interprets Gods bounty as a fruit of his love; but then he feares him not. In adverſity he will ſeem to feare him, but not love him; becauſe he looks more upon the terribleneſſe of his judgements, than upon the ſweetneſſe of his nature. He is himſelf an enemy to God, and therefore cannot but hate him, by how much the more he is compelled to feare him. He is not acquainted with the love of God, therefore he cannot love God: for no man loves God, but whom God loved firſt o1 John 4.10.
Differ.Contrariwiſe, the true Chriſtians feare ariſeth out of love.
He loveth, and honoureth God with all his heart, and with all his ſoule, even when God deals moſt ſharply with himpIſa. 26.9: therefore he cannot but feare to wrong, or offend him. If he cannot finde him in the night of affliction, yet even then will his Spirit within him, ſeek him early, which argues love, even when he cannot finde the love of God ſhining forth upon him. Whom we ſeek, we love; eſpecially, if we give not over ſeeking, where we at preſent finde no anſwer of love. He feareth God, not as an enemy, but leſt he ſhould loſe a friend, and make an enemie. When the hypocrite flies from God, becauſe of puniſhment; he cleaves cloſer unto God that he may learn by his rod to offend no more. All love hath ſome jealouſie attending upon it, and jealouſie hath feare. But the Chriſtians fear and jealouſie is meerly of his own want of worth, and care to walk worthy of him whom he loves for himſelf: Such feare, the love of God admitteth; and the reſt, by degrees, it caſteth outq1 John 4.18.
Thus, this hypocrite feareth God as Iſhboſheth feared Abner r2 Sam. 3.11, whom he hated for his deſigne againſt him; the true Chriſtian feareth God out of love, as the converted thief upon the Croſſe, out of love to Chriſt, even then, when, for Chriſts ſake he endured the dolorous death of crucifixionsLuk. 23.40, 41: the one feareth God, becauſe he hates him; the other, becauſe he loves him.
Character 10 This hypocrites feare provoketh him not to good.
He is never the better for his feare, but rather the worſe. It doth not quicken him to duty, but rather maketh him heartleſſe, dull, or deſperate. It doth not keep him off from ſin, but only troubles him in ſinning. He is ſhaken in ſinning, but not for ſin: or, if for ſin; yet, not from ſinning, but rather, to thruſt him the deeper into ſin, as a tree ſhaken with the winde, rootes the faſter. Fear is both the firſt and laſt effect on a wicked mans conſcience, as may be ſeen in Felix, who trembled to heare of the judgement to come tAct. 24.25, yet ſetled againe nevertheleſſe on the lees of his former intemperance and unrighteouſneſſe.
Yea, this feare makes him more deſperate in evil, and ſtiffe-necked in ſinne, as Cain who ran away from God with this bit in his teeth, when he had never ſo much need of him. It made him to go out from the Preſence of the Lord uGen. 4.16, when he had never ſo much need to ſeek his face. It makes him to ſeek ſhifts and fig-leaves, when he hath made himſelf naked, that he may pertegere peccata peccatis, cover over one ſin with another. Much ado he hath to get fig-leaves; and may he get them, he cares for no more. Any thing is welcom to him but repentance.
On the contrary, the Chriſtians feare maketh him better.Differ.
It teacheth him to eſchew evil, and do good wPſal. 34.1.14. It maketh him truly wiſe, that is, ſo to feare, as to depart from evil xProv. 14.16, while the fool rageth at any check to his luſt, and is confident of breaking through all oppoſition. His feare keepeth his heart ſoft and ſupple, it maketh it to melt, as it did the heart of Joſiah. It is as the mortar and peſtle to the ſpice, making it more fragrant and uſeful, by beating it to powder by true contrition. The terrours of the Lord y2 Cor. 5.11quicken him to duty, while they amaze others, and take them off from obedience. It maketh him diligent, while the feare of the wicked makes him ſtupid.
Thus, this hypocrites fear is as a reſty horſe that goeth backward upon the ſpurre, or deſperately runneth his Rider upon ruine. The true Chriſtians feare is as Balaams Aſſe, that will rather lie down under his Maſter, than expoſe him to hazard by carrying him further upon the ſword of the AngelzNum. 22.27. To the one it is as a cudgel to a tyred jade, that makes him lie down; to the other, as a ſpurre, or ſwitch to the metled horſe, or as a rod to the idle ſcholar.