without this fear, a man views nothing aright, and does nothing aright. Earthly things have in his eyes an importance which
does not properly belong to them and heavenly things
are in no respect appreciated according to their real worth
But when " God has put his fear into our hearts,"
our misconceptions are removed, and our mistakes rectified. Sin is no longer that light and venial evil which we before supposed it to be ; nor is salvation judged to be of so small consequence, that we can any longer neglect it. The salva- tion of the soul becomes from that moment the one thing needful; and all the concerns of time are swallowed up in
those of eternity This may be accounted folly : yea,
it is so accounted by an ignorant and ungodly world : but God declares it to be wisdom ; and such it will prove itself to be in the issue ]
But trace it, II. As operating in the life —
In all its bearings, and in all its operations, the fear of the Lord approves itself to be true wisdom. Mark it as operating,
1. In the different ages and relations of life — [Of whatever age a person be, whether young or old, the
fear of the Lord will dictate to him such a deportment as befits him. And in every relation of life it will exalt his character. Husband or wife, parent or child, master or servant, magistrate or subject, all will know their place ; all will fulfil their duties ; all will execute their respective offices with care. In nothing will the operation of this principle more clearly appear, than in stimulating every one to discharge with diligence and propriety the duties of his own peculiar calling ]
2. In the different circumstances in which it may be placed —
[Are we in prosperity ? this will keep us humble, and watchful against the temptations to which prosperity will ex- pose us. Are we in adversity of any kind ? this will support us from fainting and murmuring, on the one hand ; and from a contemptuous apathy on the other. It will cause us to acknow- ledge a divine agency in every thing that occurs : and to make such an improvement of it, as that God may be glorified in all. Of course, I must not be understood to say that the fear of the Lord will enlarge a man's intellectual powers, any more than it will increase his bodily stature ; at least, not to such a degree as to divest a man of his natural weakness. A man who is of slender capacity will continue so ; and he will be liable to misappre- hensions as arising out of that circumstance. A person of a weak mind will betray that weakness in any thing that may