to fear others, as that thou makest others to fear us; as Herod feared John, because he was a holy and a Just man, and observed him[1]. How fully then, O my abundant God, how gently, O my sweet, my easy God, dost thou unentangle me in any scruple arising out of the consideration of thls my fear! Is not this that which thou intendest, when thou sayest, The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him[2]; the secret, the mystery of the right use of fear. Dost thou not mean this when thou sayest, we shall understand the Sear of the Lord[3]? Have it, and have benefit by it; have it, and stand under it; be directed by it, and not be dejected with it. And dost thou not propose that church for our example, when thou sayest, the church of Judea walked in the fear of God[4]; they had it, but did not sit down lazily, nor fall down weakly, nor sink under it. There is a fear which weakens men in the service of God. Adam was afraid, because he was naked[5]. They who have put off thee are a prey to all. They may fear, for thow wilt laugh when their fear comes upon them, as thou hast told them more than once[6]. And thou wilt make them fear where no cause of fear is, as thou hast told them more than once too[7]. There is a fear that is a punishment of former wickednesses, and induces more. Though some said of thy Son, Christ Jesus, that he was a good man, yet no man spake openly, for fear of the Jews. Joseph was his disciple, but secretly, for fear of the Jews[8]. The disciples kept some meetings, but with doors shut for fear of the Jews. O my God, thou givest us fear for ballast to carry us steadily in all weathers. But thou wouldst ballast us with such sand as should have gold in it, with that fear which is
