THe feare of God, hath very neare affinity with the knowledge of God, Psal. 119. 79. Concerning this feare therefore:

The first Question is whether all kind of feare of God be good?

Ans. There is both a good and evill feare of God, Ex. 20. 20. And hence it is that feare is sometimes generally commended, Pro. 28. 14. Sometimes againe it is generally found fault with, Apoc. 21. 8.

The second Question is what is that feare of God that is to be found fault with?

2 Ans. 1. That feare which scarres men away from God, or which drives them to fly away from him, Ex. 20. 18. Gen. 3. 8. Apoc. 6. 16. 2 The feare of them also which are onely affraid of Gods anger. Ia. 2. 19. Ro. 8. 15.

The third Question is what is that feare of God which is commendable?

Ans. 1. When we reverence the Majesty and Power of God, so that the principal cause of our feare is not any evill which we are in danger of, but the excellent perfection of God, Gen. 28. 17. & 31. 42. 53. Eccles 5. 2. 2 When we are most affraid of offending God, Eccles 9. 4. Pro. 13. 13. 3 When we are affected with trembling upon the sight of Gods wrath, Psal. 90. 10.

The fourth Question is whether the feare of punishment be not a servile feare?

4 Ans. If it be only in respect of punishment it is meerly servile, and vi[gap]ious, 2. I[gap] in punishment we have a chiefe respect unto our own misery. so far it is servile 3. But if

punishment be respected only secondarily, and be fear'd especially for this cause that it separat's from God, and tend's to this end to make us more wary in waiting before God, such a feare is laudable. 4. If the Minister of God, and the revenger be to be fear'd for wrath, Ro. 134. much more is God himselfe, Heb. 12. 29. Amos. 3 &. 8.

The fifth Question is what be the signes of the true feare of God?

5. Ans. 1. If we seriously and carefully avoid those things that are displeasing in Gods sight, Pro. 37. & 14. 16. & 16. 6. 2. If out of Conscience to God, we abstaine [gap]rom those sinnes that are most secret, and those which in respect of men, we might with safety enough commit, Lev. 19. 14. Gen. 42. 18. Iob. 31. 21. 22, 23. 3 If we not only abstaine [gap]rom sins but even hate them and that for this cause especially because God doth detest them, Pro. 8. 13. 4 If we be most carefull to take heed that we depart not away from God. Ier. 52. 40. 5 If we not onely abstaine from evill but study to do that which is good Ecclesiastes 12. 13. Deut. 5. 20. 6 If wee labour after perfection in every part of Sanctification, 2 Cor. 7 1. Phil. 2. 12. 7 If we neither feare men nor any creature so that they can scarre us from doing our duty, Mat 10 28. [gap]la 8. 12. 13. 1 Pet. 3. 14, 15. 8 If we imploy our selves in the Word of God, and other holy things with feare, 1 Cor. 7. 25. 9 If we use the very name and attributes of God with reverence, Deut. 28. 58.

The sixth Question, by what motives a man may be stir'd up to feare God?

6. A[gap]s. 1. By a consideration of Gods Omnipotency, Ier. 5. 22. Iob 37. 23. 24. Psal. 76. 4▪ 7. 2 By a consideration of the Kingdome of God Psal. 99. 1. Ier. 10. 7. Dan. 6. 26. 3 His powerfull government of all things, Es[gap]. 25. 1, 23. 4. 4 His particular judgements against sinne. Psal. 119. 118▪ 119▪ 120. 17, [gap]

[gap] 16. Ep[gap]. 3. 5. [gap]. 5. His universall judgement of the [gap] W[gap]rld, [gap] 12 13, 14. 1 P[gap]t. 1. 17. 6 His threat [gap] 2 [gap]

[gap]. [gap]. Heb. 3. 16. 7. The punishments that lie [gap] ▪ [gap] 2. [gap]. 8 [gap] er[gap] of God, P[gap]al. 13[gap]. 4. 9 His [gap]

[gap]. 5. 24. [gap]. 7[gap]. 5. 10 The promises that are made

to them that feare God, Psalm[gap] 25. 12, 13, 14, & 34. 9. & Proverbes 10. 27. & 13. 13. & 19. 23. & 22. 4. Eccles 8. 12.