1. Its import —
[The terms " fear and tremble" seem to import only a dread of God, as a terrible being whom it was dangerous to provoke : but the meaning of them is widely different from this. Throughout all the New Testament these words express rather a holy reverential regard, blended with love to Him who is the object of it. St. Paul, when at Corinth, was amongst his con- verts " in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling f;" not surely with a slavish dread of their wrath, but with a holy anxiety to fulfil his ministry to their greatest advantage. He exhorts servants to " obey their masters with fear and trem- bling8," that is, with a tender conscience, and an affectionate regard to their will. He bids us also to " work out our salva- tion with fear and trembling11," that is, with the utmost watch- fulness and care. Thus we understand the decree of Darius as enjoining to all his subjects, that they should serve God with a holy and affectionate regard to his revealed will. "We conceive that the terms of the decree do in effect enjoin all that worship which is required of us under the Gospel : for David, speaking expressly of the worship to be paid to the Messiah, says, " Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling1 ;" which shews that "fear and trembling," properly understood, does not expel, but only moderates and tempers, our joy. Indeed, " the angel that is represented as carrying the everlasting Gospel throughout all the eartfh," proclaims it in terms of similar import, " Fear God, and give glory to himk." We see then, that the decree did go, in fact, to the abolition of idolatry, and to the establishment of the Redeemer's king- dom throughout that vast empire : only, not being followed up by similar enactments, and a practical exhibition of its import by those who were at the head of the empire, it fell to the ground ; as all precepts must do, if not followed up by constant exertions and corresponding examples. One effect however necessarily followed from it, namely, to procure more favour to the Jews throughout the empire, and ultimately to facilitate the reception of Christianity throughout the world.]
2. The reasonableness of it —
[Who can contemplate the foregoing views of the Deity, and not confess the reasonableness of the decree founded upon them?
Consider the power and authority of God ; consider him as the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the universe ; and can a doubt be entertained whether we ought to fear and serve him ? Consider also the love and mercy of God, particularly
f 1 Cor. ii. 3. « Eph. vi. 5. h Phil. ii. 12.
1 Ps. ii. 11. k Rev. xiv. 6, 7.