VeK. 120.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 235
in the world to come, where God will stir iij) all his wrath. But to fear punishment, is not this servile r* No, it is not. First, if it keep its proportion, and doth not exceed its limits, driving us into a despair- ing anguish, such as the devil's is, James ii. 19. Secondly, if it have its spiritual use and end, which is the main and principal thing, which is to make us cleave the closer to God : Jer. xxxii. 40, ' Bat I will put m)^ fear into their hearts, and they shall not de^iart from me.' Or, thirdly, if it he subordinate, which is to make us cautelous and watch- ful against sin, or such things as may occasion these judgments, fleeing from wrath to come, Mat. iii. 7, and to use the means for our preser- vation with the more diligence, Heb. xi. 7. Thirdly, The reasons.
1. Because a tender heart is easily affected with all God's dispensa- tions ; one of the great and first privileges of grace is a heart of flesh, Ezek. xxxvi. 26. Wicked men have a heart of stone, a stout, obsti- nate, stupid spirit ; but when God's hand is upon their persons they have no sense : Jer. ix. 3, ' Thou hast smitten them, but they have not grieved.' But God's children have a heart of flesh, that trembleth at his word, and at judgments at a distance : they are soon affected with a providence. This tenderness, as it is wrought in them by grace at the first, so it is increased by their acquaintance with God and experi- ences of his love. Familiarity with men breedeth contem2)t ; fami- liarity with God not so. None are moved with reverence to the Lord more than they that know him best, and are most familiar with him. None rejoice more than they when they find God is pleased and giveth out demonstrations of grace to the world. None fear more than they when God is angry : Ps. xc. 11, ' Who knoweth the power of thine anger ? According to thy fear, so is thy wrath.' The world think not of God's anger till they feel the terrible effects of it ; but God's children, that have a deep awe of God, and observe him in all his motions, have the greatest apprehensions of his displeasure.
2. It is the property of God's children, when they look to anything without them, still to draw home the providence, and consider their own case, and to edify themselves by that they see in others, whether it be good or evil. Electorum corda semper ad se solllcite videant, saith Gregory. When Uzzah was stricken, ' How shall I bring the ark of God home to me ?' saith David, 1 Chron. xiii. 12. Will not God be as severe to me, if I behave myself unreverently ? He ob- served how failing about holy things did much incense God's wrath : Gal. vi. 13, 'Ye which are spiritual, restore such a one with meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted,' They that rigidly and uncharitably censure others, are usually greatest strangers to their own hearts ; but a man that draweth all things home, knoweth that if God should let loose temptations upon him, he may be as bad as others. A man that usually reflects upon himself will be afraid, and will not reflect on the judgments executed on others, but tremble. Nunquid ego tali? &c., was a good question in a heathen. If God should visit my transgressions, I have broken his laws, and deserve as great a punishment. A s])irit of application is a great advantage. Our Lord telleth others, Luke xiii. 5, ye shall likewise perish, without repentance. David was afraid lest he should be cast away with the
236 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXTX. [SeR. CXXXI
dross, because they love not God's testimonies; therefore lie wonhl not only love his teslimonies, but also fear his jud,2;nients. Carnal men forget themselves when they are so bitter apjaiust others.
3. The usefulness of this fear showeth it is their duty. It is very necessary —
[1.] To stir up watchfulness and care for our own safety, that we may not fall into like offences, or do anythinii; that is displeasing to God, lest Ave fall into his vengeance. We are bidden to work out our salvation with fear and tremljling, riiil. ii. 12. We have to do with a just and holy God, who is tender of his laws. Now, this fear should be more active and lively when we see his judgments executed, for then God is ready at hand with a whip to awaken us, and to show us he will not be dallied with, and that danger attendeth us, when wo begin to strnggle out of our duty. He that breaketh through a hedge, a serpent shall bite liira. Fear is the great restraint of sin, as the fear of man keepeth the beasts from hurting him. Gen. ix. 2 ; it is their bridle : ' The fear of you shall be upon the beasts of the field.' So fear of God lielps to keep from offending him, or breaking his laws.
[2.] To humble us, when we see that sin shall not escape unpun- ished. Alas ! if God should enter into judgment with us, who could stand? Ps. cxliii. 2. Non dicit cum Jiostibus tuis, sed cum servo tuo. He doth not say, If thou shouldest enter into judgment with thine enemy, but with thy servant, God is a just judge, and therefore, when we see judgments executed upon others, we may be afraid of his righteousness. Every humble heart is conscious to himself of grievous offences ; and if God, when he cometh to purge out dross, should be severe with us, what miserable wretched creatures should we be ! This striketh a holy fear into our hearts, and so helps us to humble ourselves in his presence.