Twelve Single Sermons, Sermon 3
Sermon, III. The Fear of GOD, Fortifying Againſt Sin, and ill Examples.
NEH. V. 15.
—But ſo did not I, becauſe of the Fear of GOD.
THeſe are the words of Nehemiah, a godly Governour among the Jews. This Book of Nehemiah, refers to the affairs of the Jews after their Babyloniſh Captivity was ended. After their return from Babylon, they were few, poor, and met with various Trials. 'Tis ſaid, Chap. 1. v. 3. They were in great Affliction and Reproach: the Wall alſo of Jeruſalem was broken down, and the Gates thereof burnt with fire. When Nehemiah a godly Jew, heard of this diſtreſſed ſtate of his returned Country men (tho' he himſelf was not then among them, but in Perſia, Chap. 1. v. 1.) he was greatly concern'd for them. He himſelf was Cup-Bearer to the King of Perſia (Chap. 1. v. 11.) in which conſiderable Poſt, he might doubtleſs have liv'd in great Perſonal eaſe, quiet and proſperity, if he had look'd no further than a preſent ſerving of himſelf. But being a very godly Man, and of a Publick Spirit, he was ſollicitous for the welfare of his Country Men and Brethren the Jews, God's profeſſing People; and he pray'd to God for them. Chap. 1. He alſo beſought the King of Perſia (under whoſe extenſive Imperial Government, the returned Jews then were) that he might be permitted & impowered to go to Judea, and promote the welfare of his Country Men, Chap. 2. He obtain'd his requeſt, was by the King of Perſia made Governour over the returned Jews, and ſent to promote their welfare. Being thus Impower'd, he laid out himſelf and imploy'd his Authority, to promote the welfare of his People, in their poor and low circumſtances. He took care to get the Walls of Jeruſalem rebuilt, Chap. 3. & 4. And in this 5th. Chapter containing our Text, we find, that he took care to Redreſs Grievances and Abuſes among the Jews themſelves. Some of the Poorer Sort had Mortgaged their Houſes, Lands, Vineyards, and made their Children Bond-Servants alſo, for the buying of Food and paying the Kings Tribute. The Richer Sort who exacted theſe things were Rigorous, Cruel, Unkind and Uncharitable to their Poorer Brethren. When theſe things were complained of, Nehemiah the Governour Rebuk'd thoſe, who were thus Injurious to their Poor Neighbours and ſet himſelf to Redreſs the Wrongs done; as appears in this Chapter, from v. 1. to the 13. Hereupon, Nehemiah (to enforce the Exhortation he had given to others) mentions his own kind Example and Carriage, v. 14, 15. Though ſome who had been Governours over the returned Jews before him, had been very chargible to the Poor People, yea, had ſuffered their very Servants to Rule them; yet he did not follow this Example ſet before him. So did not I (ſays he, in our Text) becauſe of the fear of God. He does not deny in general, thoſe who are Civil Rulers, Miniſters of God for good to a People; I ſay, he does not deny in general, that ſuch ought to have a ſuitable Support and Reward from the People, for whoſe Welfare they are concerned; but ſome of his Predeceſſors in Government, had gone farther than they ought in exacting from the People in their poor and low Circumstances; yea, they had ſuffered their very Servants to Rule over and abuſe them; but Nehemiah dare not Sin after this Rate, dare not tred in theſe Steps, nor walk in this beaten Road, dare not follow theſe ill Examples ſet before him, becauſe he feared God, and therefore made Conſcience of his Ways. Though he had the Power of a Governour, yet he dare not abuſe that Power, as ſome of his Predeceſſors had done.
Note by the way, Thoſe that have Power and Authority over Men, yet ought to Fear God as well as others.
All Men are not Equals, nor do they ſtand upon a Level as to Power and Authority. Order ought to be upheld in Societies, which can't be, without ſome being Superiors and others Inferiors in them. 'Tis agreeable to the Revealed Will of God, and Required by him, that in Families, which are the ſmalleſt Societies; in Churches or Eccleſiaſtical Societies; in Civil Societies, Common Wealths or Kingdoms, ſome ſhould be Rulers and others Ruled. Yet even thoſe who have never ſo much Power and Authority among Men, I ſay, even ſuch Superiors among Men, are as much Inferiors to God, and ought as really and truly to Fear Him, as any of the meaneſt and loweſt of the Children of Men. If they are Governours, Kings, Emperors, have the greateſt Power that's lawful among Mortals; yet they are bound and oblig'd as really and as much to Fear God and Obey Him, as any others are. God is as truly their Makers, Preſerver, Benefactor, Lawgiver and Judge, as he is of any others. But the Obſervation chiefly intended from the Words is this, viz.
DOCTRINE. The Fear of GOD ſhould keep us from Sinning, and particularly from following ill Examples.
Here are Two Propoſitions. (1.) The Fear of God ſhould keep us from Sinning. (2.) It ſhould particularly keep us from following i…l Examples.
PROP. I. The Fear of God ſhould keep us from Sinning. Sin is a breach of Gods Law. 1 Joh. 3.4. Whoſoever committeth ſin, tranſgreſſeth alſo the Law; for ſin is a tranſgreſſion of the Law. Sin is a very great evil, Inaſmuch as 'tis an affront to the Infinitely Great GOD. And as 'tis a great Evil, ſo it deſerves great Miſery. The wages of ſin is death, Rom. 6.23. Thoſe who are the Servants of Sin, are like to be the Subjects of Death, even of Eternal Death and Miſery. This Eternal Miſery, will be Inflicted by Divine Juſtice, on thoſe who go on obſtinately in ways of wickedneſs. Therefore the true Fear of God, and of His holy diſpleaſure, is the beſt Remedy or Preſervative againſt Sin. Every Regenerate Perſon, every true Convert, has in him the root and principle of every true ſaving Grace. As he has true Faith & Truſt in Gods Mercy thro' Chriſt; ſo he has true Love to God, and true filial Fear of Him. True Fear God, is a ſaving Grace. Chriſtians are bidden, to paſs the time of their Sojourning …ere …, 1 Pet. 1.17. They ſhould cleanſe themſelves from all filthineſs of Fleſh and Spirit, perfecting holineſs in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1. The more Men fear God, the more careful they'l be to avoid Sin, and to practiſe holineſs. Job 28.28. The fear of the Lord, that is wiſdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. A Perſon's truly fearing of God, Implies in it, his real belief that God is ſuch an One as He has declar'd Himſelf to be, and his being ſuitably Affected therewith; and ſo it tends directly to keep him from Sinning. A realizing belief of his Knowledge, Holineſs, Power and Faithfulneſs, does ſo.
1. A realizing belief of His Knowledge. Gods Law ſhould be our rule in all things; we ſhould conform our Thoughts, Words, and Deeds unto it continually. And God moſt critically obſerves whether we do ſo or not. Tho' many of our Actions may be hid from Men, yet none of them can be hid from God. He ſays, Jer. 23.23, 24. Can any hide himſelf in ſecret places, that I ſhall not ſee him, ſaith the Lord? Do not I fill Heaven and Earth, ſaith the Lord? God is preſent every where, ſees all things, ſtrictly obſerves whether we regard his Authority and obey His Precepts, yea or no. God's Eyes are on all our ways: there's not a word in our Tongue, but lo, He knows it altogether: Yea He knows the things that come into our Minds, even every one of them. His eyes are in every place beholding the evil and the good, Prov. 15.3. There is no Creature that is not manifeſt in his ſight; all things are open and naked to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Heb. 4.13. Tho' many Sins are ſecret as to Men, yet none are ſo as to God; His Knowledge is Infinite. A realizing belief of this extenſive univerſal Knowledge of God; would tend very much to keep us from Sinning. Perſons are often reſtrain'd from Sin, by the Preſence of ſerious, grave, godly Men, their Fellow. Creatures; and how much more would it reſtrain them from Sin, if they ſeriouſly believ'd and conſider'd, that the All-ſeeing Eye of their infinitely Holy and Glorious Judge, is continually upon them?
2. A realizing Belief of his Holineſs. As God neceſſarily ſees and knows all the Sins any are guilty of, ſo, he as neceſſarily hates and abhors them. Sin is the moſt hateful thing to God that can be, yea, the only thing that provokes him; 'tis the abominable thing that his Soul hates. He has no pleaſure in wickedneſs, evil ſhall not dwell with him; he hates all workers of iniquity, Pſal. 5.4, 5. He is of purer eyes than to behold evil, he cannot look on iniquity, Hab. 1.13. No vile Object in the World, is ſo loathſome and abominable to Men as all Sin is to God. 'Tis nothing but Sin, that hinders the Communication of Bleſſings and Favours from God to Men. Your iniquities have ſeparated between you and your God. Iſai. 59.2. Your ſins have witholden good things from you, Jer. 5.25. God has manifeſted his matchleſs, glorious Holineſs and Purity, and ſo his Hatred of Sin, in caſting the fallen Angels into Chains of Darkneſs, in threatening Death as the Wages of Sin; in drowning the old World with a Flood for their Wickedneſs; in bringing numberleſs terrible Judgments on particular Perſons, Families, Nations, Kingdoms, Countrys for their Sins; and in bringing terrible Sufferings on our bleſſed Lord Jeſus, who became Surety for his choſen People, and undertook to ſatisfy for their Sins. Though God through Chriſt can be Reconciled to Returning Sinners, yet he cannot be Reconciled to Sin it ſelf. Now a Realizing Belief of God's infinite Holineſs, his unnutterable Hatred and Loathing of Sin, tends to keep Men from Sinning. While the true Fear of God actually and vigorouſly operates in the Soul, a Perſon would not dare knowingly to Sin againſt him, to do any thing which he knows to be ſo unutterably Hateful to him.
3. A Realizing Belief of his Power. Gods Power is as great to puniſh Sin, as his Holineſs to hate it. Sometimes Juſt and Righteous Judges can't come at vile Criminals, to puniſh them as they deſerve. But Gods Eye beholds all Tranſgreſſors,, he needs no Witneſſes to inform him; his Hand alſo is long enough to reach them all, and ſtrong enough to inflict the moſt terrible Judgments on them. He is the Lord Almighty; the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth; nothing is too hard for him, all things are poſſible with him. Obſtinate Sinners can't poſſibly eſcape his terrible Revenges. Who ever hardened himſelf againſt God and proſpered? Do we provoke the Lord to jealouſy, are we ſtronger than he? 1 Cor. 10.22. Tho' Sinners exalt themſelves as the Eagle, and ſet their Nest among the Stars; yet God will bring them down, Obad. v. 4. He can inflict intollerable Plagues and Puniſhments on Sinners, on their Bodies, on their Souls, in Time, and throughout Eternity. Who knows the Power of his Anger? Oh, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! Surely, a Realizing Belief of the Almighty Power of that God, who ſees all the Sins of Men, who infinitely hates them, muſt needs have a proper Tendency to keep Men from Sinning. Who but Mad-Men, would heedleſly and knowingly anger and provoke One, whom they know has preſent, conſtant, ſufficient Power to deprive them of all their Comforts, to Ruin and Deſtroy them, to make them unutterably Miſerable?
4. A Realizing Belief of Gods Faithfulneſs. God has denounced terrible Threatnings againſt Sin and Sinners. The Soul that ſins ſhall die. The Wages of Sin is Death. Every Sin is a Capital Crime, by the Righteous Law of God. Thoſe who are obſtinate Servants of Sin in this World, ſhall be the Subjects of Eternal Miſery in the next. He that believeth not, ſhall be damned, Mark. 16.16. The God that has denounced theſe terrible Threatnings, is unchangibly True and Faithful to his Word. He is not a man that he ſhould lye, nor the ſon of man that he ſhould repent. Hath he ſaid, and ſhall he not do it? Or hath he ſpoken, and ſhall he not make it good? Numb. 23.19. It is impoſſible for God to lye, Heb. 6.18. God is unchangibly True, and will fulfil his Threatnings in the Everlasting Deſtruction of Sinners, if Repentance prevent not. He is as true alſo to his Promiſes, and will Pardon all true Penitents, will ſave all that heartily hate Sin, ſtrive and watch againſt it. Indeavouring to be Holy in all manner of Converſation. None have a right, true Fear of God, but thoſe who believe theſe things concerning him; even his infinite Knowledge, Holineſs, Power and Faithfulneſs; and thoſe who do really believe theſe things, duely conſider them, and ſuitably apply them to their own Hearts, they cannot but Fear God, fear to ſin againſt and offend him. They cannot but eſteem his Favour better than Life; and ſo they cannot but Fear the Lord and his goodneſs, Hoſ. 3.5. They cannot but fear the offending of that God, on whoſe Favour the whole of their Welfare and Happineſs depends. And on the other hand, they cannot but Fear his Wrath more than Death. The Fear of God ſhould, and as far as it is in lively Exerciſe it will, keep them from ſinning. If the Saints do fall into known Sin at any time, 'tis becauſe the Fear of God was not at that time in due Exerciſe in their Souls. Sinful Fear of Men, more than the true Fear of God, prevail'd in Peter, when he deny'd Chriſt with Curſing and Swearing. But ſo far as the true Fear of God prevails in any, 'twill Reſtrain them from ſinning; it won't ſuffer them to indulge Sins of Omiſſion or Commiſſion. It is not Fear of Shame or Puniſhment from Men, that is the chief Restraint on them; for then they would ſin in Secret, or when they had a Proſpect of eſcaping Puniſhment from Men; but ſo far as the true Fear of God prevails in them, they are as careful to avoid ſecret Sins as open ones, (for they know, Gods Eye is always upon them) they are afraid of Sins which would not expoſe them to humane Cenſures, as well as of thoſe that would; for they know that God will be provok'd with Sin, whether Men are or not. True Fear of God will make them argue in their own Conſciences, as Joſeph once did to his wicked, tempting Miſtreſs: Gen. 39.9. How ſhall I do this great wickedneſs, and ſin again…t God? True, holy Fear, puts Men upon Obeying God. Heb. 11.7. By Faith, Noah being warned of God of things not ſeen as yet, moved with Fear, prepared an Ark to the ſaving of his houſe. God told him, a Flood would come and deſtroy the wicked World, bad him prepare an Ark for ſafety when the Flood ſhould come; Noah believ'd the threaten'd Judgment would come, was afraid of it, and ſo obeyed God in providing an Ark for ſafety, as he had been directed. True Fear of God in Exerciſe, will make Men chuſe Suffering rather than Sinning. Daniel Feared God, and rather than diſpleaſe God by omitting Prayer, he choſe to be caſt into the Den of Lyons. The three Children Feared God, and they choſe to be bound and caſt alive into a fiery Furnace, rather than diſpleaſe God by worſhipping an Idol, Dan. ch. 3. 'Tis the Character of the true Fearers of God, that they love not their Lives to the Death, Rev. 12.11. They have not ſo great a Fear of Men, who can do no more than kill the Body; as they have of God, who can deſtroy both Soul and Body in hell, Mat. 10.28. The Fear of God ſhould, and ſo far as it operates and prevails it will, Reſtrain Perſons from ſinning; ſo far as holy Fear prevails in them, they will act moſt for Gods Glory and their own Good. And, as the Fear of God ſhould keep us from ſinning in general, ſo,
PROP. II. The Fear of God ſhould particularly keep us from following ill Examples. When godly Nehemiah had mentioned ill Practices in others, he adds, But ſo did not I, becauſe of the Fear of God. As if he had ſaid,
Though they have ſinned thus and ſo, yet I dare not do like them; their Example cannot excuſe, and therefore ſhall not obtain, my Imitation. I know that God is my Maker, Lawgiver and Judge, that I am accountable to him for all my Ways, that his Eye is always upon me; therefore I dare not offend nor ſin againſt him, tho' never ſo much prompted by ill Examples.
Indeed the Fear of God ſhould, and where 'tis duely exercis'd it will, ſtrengthen the Soul againſt the Snares & Temptations by which it is endangered; particularly againſt ill Examples, which are very dangerous Snares indeed. God ſays, Exod. 23.2. Thou ſhalt not follow a multitude to do evil. If this or that Sin becomes very common, cuſtomary, faſhionable, if the Multitude do it; yet God forbids our imitating them therein. Eph. 5.11. Have no fellowſhip with the unfruitful works of darkneſs, but rather reprove them. Do others tempt us to Sin, by their vile Examples or Perſwaſions? We ſhould be ſo far from complying, that we ſhould rather reprove them. If the Multitude go wrong, we ſhould not go wrong for Company ſake. Are we willing to be Damned, to go to Hell for Company ſake? If not, let us not Sin for Company ſake. Rev. 18.4. — Be not partakers of her ſins, that ye partake not of her plagues. Indeed there is no Preſervative againſt the poyſonous Influence of ill Examples, like this of the true and lively Fear of God. The Goſpel teaches us to deny ungodlineſs and worldly lusts; and to live ſoberly, righteouſly, godly in this preſent world, Tit. 2.12. The Fear of God ſhould quicken us to avoid the Examples that are contrary hereunto. As,
1. Examples of Ungodlineſs. Are others ungodly in their Practice, do they omit any Duties of Religion? We ſhould reply, So dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God. For Inſtance, Do others take Gods Name in vain? Do they Curſe and Swear Profanely? We ſhould ſay, So dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God, who has ſaid, He will not hold them guiltleſs, that take his Name in vain. Do others Profane Gods holy Sabbath? So dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God, who has terribly threaten'd thoſe that do ſo, Jer. 17.27. Do others neglect reading and ſtudying the holy Scriptures? So dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God, who has ſaid, Joh. 5.39. — Search the Scriptures. Joſh. 1.8. This Book of the Law ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou ſhalt meditate in it day and night. Do others live in the neglect of ſecret Prayer? So dare not I, becauſe God bids me Pray in Secret, Mat. 6.6. Do others neglect Family Prayer? So dare not I, becauſe Gods fury will he poured out on the Families that call not on his Name, Jer. 10.25. Therefore I will Reſolve like Joſhua, Joſh. 24.15. As for me and my houſe, we will ſerve the Lord. Do others neglect Gods Publick Worſhip, ſeldom if ever meeting at his Houſe? So dare not I, becauſe he has ſaid, Heb. 10.25. Not forſaking the Aſſembling of your ſelves together, as the manner of ſome is. Do others neglect Baptiſm or the Lords Supper? So dare not I, becauſe Chriſt requires, that his Diſciples ſhould be Baptiſed, and ſhould obſerve all things whatſoever he has commanded, Mat. 28.19, 20. And has particularly ſaid concerning the Lords Supper, Luk. 22.19. This do in remembrance of me. Yea, he has requir'd us to do whatſoever he commands, and that as a Proof and Teſtimony that we Love him and are his Friends, Joh. 14.15. & 15.14. The Fear of God ſhould quicken us to avoid,
2. Examples contrary to Sobriety. Under this head of Sobriety, may be comprehended the Duties of Chastity and Temperance. The fear of God, ſhould fortifie againſt Examples contrary hereto. Are others Unchaſt, Unclean, Filthy, Laſcivious in their Words or Actions? We ſhould heartily ſay, ſo dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God who ſays, Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery: Flee Fornication: Whoremongers and Adulterers God will Judge: Fornicators and Adulterers ſhall not Inherit the Kingdom of God. Eph. 4.29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your Mouth. Again, are others Drunkards? Do Men or Women make themſelves bruitiſh, or worſe than bruitiſh by Intemperance? ſo dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God who has ſaid Take heed lest your hearts are at any time over-charged with ſurfeiting or drunkenneſs, Luke 21.34. He alſo has ſaid, Wo to Drunkards, Drunkards ſhall not Inherit the Kingdom of God. Nay, tho' others do not Reel and Stagger with Drunkenneſs, yet, do they drink to Exceſs, drink more than does them good, Pint after Pint, Quart after Quart, Bottle after Bottle: Or do they drink ſo as to doze and hurt themſelves, tho' they dont Stagger and Vomit? ſo dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God who has ſaid, Iſai. 5.22. Wo to them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of ſtrength to mingle ſtrong drink, Amos 6.1, 6. Wo — to them that drink wine in Bowls, Hab. 2.15. Wo unto him that giveth his Neighbour d…ink, that pu… teſt thy Bottle to him, that makeſt him drunken alſo. Oh how many Woes has God denounc'd againſt Drunkards, ſtrong-headed exceſſive Drinkers, againſt vain Tipling Companions? Nay further, Do others take methods that plainly tend to Intemperance, tho' poſſibly as yet they have not Staggered nor Wallowed in their Vomit? Have they a vicious practice of drinking Drams often? Or do they when their Day-work is over, make a trade of Meeting at Taverns, there Idly ſpending their Time and Money tho' they have no real buſineſs there? Or do they on every Payment of Money, haſten to a Tavern to Solemnize that affair by needleſs Drinking? Are theſe the practices of ſome? We ſhould with our Hearts and Conſciences ſay, ſo dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God who has ſaid, Be harmleſs, blameleſs, unrebukable. Whatſoever things are Juſt, Honeſt, Pure, of good report, if there be any vertue or praiſe, think on theſe things, Phil. 4.8. Abſtain from the Appearance of evil, hate the Garments ſpotted with the fleſh. Walk circumſpectly, not as fools but as wiſe; redeeming the time, Eph. 5.15, 16. Let any of your Conſciences Judge, whether theſe ill practices I have mention'd, are conſiſtent with walking circumſpectly, and with ſuch a redeeming of the time, as will be comfortable to reflect on in a dying Hour and Judgment Day. The examples of others, ſhould not lead us to any thing wounding to our own Conſciences.
The Fear of God ſhould quicken us to avoid,
3. Examples of Unrighteouſneſs. We ſhould be Juſt and Righteous in our whole behaviour towards Men; not wronging them in their Perſons, Names or Eſtates. Do others Rob or Steal? We ſhould heartily ſay, ſo dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God who be▪ ſaid, Thou ſhalt nor Steal. Thieves ſhall not Inherit the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Do others Lye Cheat, Defraud, Extort, Oppreſs, needleſly lie long in Debt to the great Injury of their Creditors? Are others ſo Falſe to their Words, Promiſes, Ingagements, that there's no regard to be had to what they ſay? Do others act thus? We ſhould heartily ſay, ſo dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God who has ſaid, Lye not one to another, Speak every man the truth with his Neighbour. That no man go beyond or defraud his Brother in any matter; becauſe the Lord is the Avenger of all ſuch. 1 Theſ. 4.6. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another, Rom. 13.8. We ſhould have our Converſation in Simplicity and Godly Sincerity, 2 Cor. 1.12. For Men to make plain Promiſes and Ingagements, when they have no rational proſpect, or it may be no true deſign, to fulfill them; let your Conſciences Judge, whether this is to act in Simplicity and godly Sincerity. No, 'tis fallacious dealing, 'tis too much an Imitating the Devil that grand deceiver, 'tis vile deceit; the Fear of God ſhould reſtrain us from it. Would we be willing, to be thus gull'd and deceiv'd by falſe Promiſes our ſelves? If not, ſurely we ſhould not ſerve others ſo. All things whatſoever ye would that men ſhould do to you, do ye even ſo to them, Mat, 7.12. Again, do ſome neglect Family Government and Inſtruction, bringing up their Young Ones Ignorantly, Idly, Diſorderly; Suffering them to be rude, vicious, to be from home at unſeaſonable times of Night, to keep bad company, and the like? We ſhould heartily ſay, ſo dare not I, becauſe of the Fear of God who has ſaid, Bring up Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; train up a Child in the way he ſhould go. So, as to Children and Servants, is the Fear of God in your hearts? It ſhould be there, and ſhould reſtrain you from following ill Examples. Poſſibly you know ſuch and ſuch Children and Servants, that are very unruly, diſorderly, untractable; it may be they're ſawcy, diſobedient, unfaithful to Parents and Maſters, they take a lawleſs Liberty in many things; and will you plead their Example that you may do ſo too? God forbid. Inſtead of pleading or Imitating their ill Examples, you ſhould rather ſay as in our Text, So did not I, (yea, ſo dare not I) becauſe of the Fear of God. The like might be ſaid, in numberleſs other caſes.
USE.
From what has been ſaid, we may Infer,
1. Thoſe who Indulge themſelves in known ways of wickedneſs, have no true Fear of God in their Hearts. Pſal. 36.1. The tranſgreſſion of the wicked ſaith within mine heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. And indeed many ſuch there are. Such are Liars, Drunkards, Fornicators, Thieves, Profaners of Gods holy Name and Day, Oppreſſors, Extortioners, Revilers, &c. Thoſe who live in a Courſe and Trade of known, allowed Wickedneſs, are open Enemies to Heaven, whatever Profeſſions or Pretences they make to the contrary. The Tree is known by its Fruit. Though they profeſs to know God, yet in works they deny him; being abominable, diſobedient, and to every good work reprobate, Tit. 1.16. Indeed they practically bid Defiance to the God that made them, they trample on his Authority; they brave and challenge the Almighty (running on the thick Boſſes of his Buckler) as tho' his Wrath would not or could not hurt them. Such a Practice comprehends in it, preſumptuous, daring Wickedneſs, unnutterable Folly, and tends to Everlaſting Destruction.
2. Ill Examples can't excuſe us if we imitate them. Our being tempted to Sin, won't Indemnify us if we comply. Not the Practice of Men, but the Law of God, ſhould be our Rule. The cuſtoms of the People are vain, Jer. 10.3. If we imitate the Sins of others, we may expect to ſhare in their Plagues.
3. We ſhould greatly cheriſh the Fear of Gad in our own Hearts. We ſhould therefore, at no time dare to affront our Conſciences, in doing what they plainly declare to be ſinful; or omitting what they teſtify agreeably to Gods Word, to be Duty. We ſhould alſo be much in Prayer, that God would help us ſincerely and conſtantly to Fear him; Pſal. 86.11. Teach me thy way, O Lord, I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. Pſal. 119.133. Order my ſteps in thy word, and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. We ſhould alſo Meditate much on Gods Word, ſtore it up in our Minds and Memories as much as we can; Pſal. 119.11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not ſin againſt thee.