2. Both are taken largely ; fear for the principle of our obedience to God, and righteousness for the fruits of it, whether they belong to the first or second table. As 1 John iii. 7, ' He that doeth righteousness is righteous.' So that here Peter observeth the right order ; he begin- neth with fear as the root of all duty and worship, and then proceedeth to the fruit, which is an uniform, constant, impartial obedience to the whole law ; which method is also observed in other scriptures. As Ps. cxii. 1, ' Blessed is the man that feareth God, and delighteth greatly in his commandments ; ' and Deut. v. 29, ' Oh, that there were such an heart in them to fear me and keep my precepts.' This sense I choose and prefer, and therefore shall examine — (1.) Why fear is made the principle ; (2.) Why working righteousness is required as the fruit.
[L] Why fear is made the principle of obedience. Certainly not to exclude faith in Christ ; for without him we can do nothing, John xv. 5 ; at least nothing acceptably : Heb. xi. 6, ' Without faith it is impossible to please God.' And God is especially to be reverenced and adored for his goodness in Christ : Hosea iii. 5, ' They shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter day;' Let us a little then consider — (1.) What is this fear of God; (2.) why is it required as the principle of all our actions.
(1.) What is it ? Holy fear is of two kinds — the fear of reverence, and the fear of caution. The fear of reverence respects God, and not ourselves. Fear of reverence is grounded on the nature of God, his majesty, holiness, goodness, and justice. The fear of caution upon the weightiness of the work we have to do, and our own weakness. The fear of reverence maketh us walk strictly ; the fear of caution, watch- fully.
(Isif.) The fear of reverence is necessary, or an awful regard of God, that we may not offend him, or displease him, or give him just cause of being angry with us, who is of such glorious majesty : Jer. x. 7, 'Who would not fear thee, 0 thou King of nations?' Of such unspotted holiness : Rev. xv. 4, ' Who would not fear thee, 0 Lord ? for thou only art holy.'
412 SERMON UPON ACTS X. 34, 35.
(2d) The fear of caution is necessary to make us watchful against temptations. The work is weighty ; if we miscarry, we are undone for ever.' Heb. iv. 1, ' Let us fear lest, a promise being left us, any of you should come short of it.' We are weak and inconstant, 2 Cor. X. 12. The devil is busy : 1 Peter v. 8, ' The devil like a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour.'
(2.) Why is this frame of heart pitched upon ?
For two reasons —
(1st.) That we may most carefully abstain from what displeaseth God. Nothing breedeth tenderness of conscience so much as holy fear: Gen. xxxix. 9, ' How shall I do this wickedness and sin against God ? ' So Phil. ii. 12, * As you have obeyed not as in my presence only, but much more in my absence, so work out your salvation with fear and trembling.' God is alike everywhere, and therefore he that feareth God is alike everywhere. He needeth no other theatre than his own conscience, no other spectator than God and his holy angels. No secrecy can tempt such an one to sin : Lev. xix. 14, ' Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor lay a stumbling-block before the blind ; but thou shalt fear the Lord thy God.' The blind see not, the deaf hear not ; but God seeth, God heareth ; and that is enough to restrain a gracious heart. No terror can tempt them to break the laws of God : Exod. i. 17, ' The midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt com- manded them.' No worldly dangers are so much feared as God's displeasure. They look upon God offended with the greatest terror, upon God reconciled with the greatest comfort and delight ; therefore they strictly abstain from what may offend God, even in the least : Neh. V, 15, * So did not I, because I feared God.'
(2d) Because it produces a care and diligent endeavour to approve ourselves to him, and to be accepted of him. Nothing engage th us to diligence and cheerfulness in his service so much as an holy fear of God : ' Work out your salvation with fear and trembling,' Phil. ii. 12. Let this be the governing principle, and you cannot be slight and careless ; you will work, and work out : 2 Cor. vii. 1, ' Perfecting holi- ness in the fear of God.' A little grace and a little holiness will not serve the turn. So Heb. xii. 28, ' Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.' God is not a God to be put off with everything, or a little religiousness by the bye. If we have a due sense of the excellency of God, it inspireth us with care, zeal, and diligence in his service.