[2.] The consideration of the threatening will be an advantage to us to make us vigilant and watchful ; when we see the danger we shall not be so secure. This is the argument by which Christ himself would convert Paul : Acts ix. 5, * It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.' It is a metaphor taken from a husbandman's goad or prick ; wanton oxen, when they run against the goad, they do not hurt the goad, but themselves. So it will be dangerous for you, God's wrath will gore the soul. We should have this goad and prick before our eyes ; and this will make us watchful. Solomon saith, Prov. i. 17, ' Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.' Birds, when they see the snare, will not venture upon the bait ; and so, when we see the danger and consider the sad consequences of sin, it will make the soul to be the more careful ; we will not dally with sin, and grow so bold with God and his cause.
[3.] It is an excellent means to strengthen us against carnal fear. The fear of man is apt to prove a snare, Prov. xxv. 24. Solomon spake it, and many of the servants of God have found it so. It was tear that made Abraham deny his wife, and it was fear that made
186 SERMOXS UPON HEBRETVS XL [SeR. XXXVI.
Peter deny his master. Now there is no way to cure the fear of man but by presenting the fear of God. Look, as Aaron's rod devoured the rods of the magicians, and as the stronger nail drives out the weaker, so doth the fear of God drive out the fear of man. What is the ground of all carnal compliance ? We fear man's power, and presume of God's mercy ; a slight belief is given to the threatenings of God, and we think tlie wrath of man is more to be feared than the wrath of God. The only cure will be to consider that there are no terrors to those which faith represents ; therefore holy persons always used this remedy to drive out the fear of man by the fear of God. It is said ' The mid- wives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them,' Exod. i. 17 ; and the Holy Ghost prescribeth this remedy, Isa. viii. 12. 13, ' Fear not their fear, nor be afraid, but sanctify the Lord God of liosts in your hearts, and make him your fear and your dread.' The ])rophet speaks against those that would cry up a confederacy with them that cry up a confederacy; that w^ould yoke themselves in com- bination with the public enemies of God. Oh, think of the terrors of the Lord, and that will quell and allay all the terrors of men. So our Saviour : Luke xii. 4, ' Be not afraid of them that can but kill the body. But I will warn you whom you should fear : Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell.' The terrors of the Lord, and the threatenings of the Lord, they are the cure against the terrors of men. Better all the world your enemy than God. We live longer with God than we do with men ; he can kill body and soul.
[4.] The threatenings of the word are necessary to be propounded to our faith, to check indulgence to carnal pleasure. Pleasure and delight are dear bought if they cannot be com^iassed but with the danger of our souls ; and therefore there is no way to counterbalance deliglit but by fear, to consider the ^^Tath of God that shall come upon every sinner : 2 Peter ii. 10, ' But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness.' Whoever escape they are sure to be punished; there is bitter judgment for these sweet pleasures.
Use 1. Here is counsel to the children of God, not only to take a view of the land of promise, but it is good sometimes to take a view of the land of darkness ; they should not only reflect upon the promises, but the threatening ; it is profitable, though less pleasing.
Quest. Here ariseth a case. Whether or no the children of God, those especially that have received the first-fruits of the Spirit, and have a sense of the favour of God, whether they may make use of the threat- ening and terrors of the Lord or no ? I answer to this affirmatively ; they may, and they must, and shall prove it by several reasons.
1. It is a part of the Spirit's discipline, necessary because of the remainders of corruption, and the Holy Ghost makes use of every advantage. There are some corruptions that will bear down all milder arguments, that will not be restrained by any calm motives. You had as good discourse with the rough wind as hope to charm the rage of lusts with the soft and comfortable words of the grace, mercy, and kindness of God ; therefore it is good to propound terrors. The apostle Paul, though he were a sanctified and chosen vessel, yet he saw a need of making use of the terrors of the Lord. It is true, he saith, 2 Cor. v. 14, the love of Christ constrained him. The great motive of