"dom?" and Prov. xvi. 6.

By the fear "of the Lord, men depart from evil." We are exhorted to be " holy, because God is 'holy," Lev. xix. 2. 1 Pct. i. 16; to “be

perfect, even as our father who is in heaven " is perfect," Matt. v. 48. and also to “be "followers of God as dear children," Eph, V. I. And, for this reafon, to "be kind to "one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Chrift hath 'forgiven us." Ch. iv. 32.

On the other hand, it is mentioned as characteristic of the wicked, that "there "is no fear of God before his eyes." Pf. xxxvi. 1. and "that God is not in all his thoughts." Pf. x. 4.

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The difpofition of mind which we are required to cultivate, with refpect to God, is reprefented in the fcriptures as a mixture of filial reverence, love, and confidence, as to a most affectionate father, and equitable moral governor; and has in it nothing of that terror and anxiety, which is infpired by a fubjection to a cruel or capricious being.

On

On this account, we are fometimes commanded to" ferve the Lord with fear, and

rejoice with trembling." Pf. ii. 11. and at other times to "ferve him with gladnefs," Pf. c. 2. Upon the whole, it means a perfect attachment of foul to this greatest and beft of beings, fo as to have no will but his, and to refpect no intereft or authority whatever in comparison with his.

Our Lord, quoting from the law of Mofes, fays, that "the first and greatest "commandment is, Thou shalt love the "Lord thy God with all thy heart, and "with all thy foul, and with all thy mind," Matt. xxii. 37; and we are exhorted by him, Luke xii. 4. "Be not afraid of them "that kill the body, and after that, have no "more that they can do. But I will fore66 warn you whom you fhall fear: fear him, "who after he hath killed, hath power to "caft into hell; yea, I fay unto you, fear "him." Upon this principle, the apoftles Peter and John fay, with confidence, to the chief priests and rulers of the Jews, Acts iv. 19. Whether it be right in the fight

"of

"of God to hearken unto you, more than "unto God, judge ye."

This habitual regard to God, and entire confidence in him, is alfo reprefented as the best fupport of the mind under all the difficulties and trials of life. David fays, Pf. xvi. 8. "I have fet the Lord always be"fore me: because he is at my right hand, "I fhall not be moved." The prophet Isaiah, exciting to confidence in God, fays, ch. xxvi. 3. "Thou wilt keep him in

perfect peace, whofe mind is ftayed on "thee." Solomon alfo gives this excellent advice, Prov. iii. 5. &c. "Truft in the "Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy

ways acknowledge him, and he fhall di"rect thy paths:" and the apoftle Peter encourages chriftians, in time of trial, to "caft their care upon God, who careth for "them." 1 Pet. v. 7.

From a firm perfuafion that every thing is under the direction of a wife and good providence, we find in the feriptures, fuch expreffions

expreffions of hope, joy, and even exultation, in the moft calamitous and trying fcenes, as heathens, could have no idea of; because they had no principles from which fuch fentiments and language could poffibly flow. The calm acquicfcence of Job under a moft afflictive difpenfation of divine providence, has been mentioned already. When Eli heard a meffage from God by Samuel, the import of which was the greatest calamity that could befall his family, he replied, 1 Sam. iii. 18, "It is the Lord: let "him do what feemeth him good." The prophet Habakkuk gives us a most admirable defeription, not merely of the acquiefcence, but of the chearfulnefs with which afflictive providences fhould be borne, ch. Although the fig-tree fhall not bloffom, neither thall fruit be in the "vines; the labour of the olive fhall fail, "and the fields fhall yield no meat; the "flocks fhall be cut off from the fold, and "there fhall be no herd in the ftalls: Yet "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in "the God of my falvation." David gives the general ground of this fatisfaction and confidence

iii. 17.

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confidence in the moft obfcure fcenes of providence, when he fays, Pf. xcvii. 1. &c. "The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice: "let the multitude of ifles be glad thereof. "Clouds and darkness are round about him: "righteoufnefs and judgment are the habi"tation of his throne."

On the foundation of this firm perfuafion of the favour of God to the righteous, and the certainty of the reward which he referves for them, our Lord encourages his followers to the moft chearful bearing of perfecution for confcience fake, Matt. v. 10. &c. "Bleffed are they who are perse"cuted for righteousness' fake: for theirs "is the kingdom of heaven. Bleffed are ye when men fhall revile you, and perfeand fhall fay all manner of evil against you, falfely, for my fake. Rejoice, "and be exceeding glad: for great is your "reward in heaven: for fo perfecuted they "the prophets who were before you.” Our Lord took the moft effectual method to inculcate an entire fubmiflion to the will of God, by directing it to be the fubject of

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VOL. II.

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