Why a Fear of God is So Much Urged [Sect. 1.4 & 5]

4. Why a Fear of God is So Much Urged.

Fourthly, The reason why the Holy Ghost so much urges the fear of God, and that in so large an extent as has been showed, I take to be this; to show a difference between that integrity and perfection of God's image which was at man's creation first planted in him, and the renovation thereof while here he lives in this world. So complete and perfect was then God's image in man, as he needed no other motive to provoke him to any duty but love. Wherefore when the Holy Ghost would set forth that perfection of God's image first planted in man, he adds this title Love unto other duties, whether they concern God or man. Concerning God, Moses exhorts Israel to love the Lord and serve Him: [Deut 11:13] and again, to love the Lord, to walk in His ways, to keep His commandments, etc. [Deut 30:16] Concerning man, the apostle exhorts to serve one another by love: [Gal 5:13] and to do all things in love. [1 Cor 16:14] Yea, sometimes the Holy Ghost is pleased to comprise all duties under love: In which respect Christ calls this commandment (Thou shalt love the Lord) the great commandment, [Matt 22:38] which comprises all the commandments of the first table under it: and for the second table, Paul says, that love is the fulfilling of the law. [Rom 13:10] But by Adam's fall, and the corruption which thereby infected man's nature, the love of God has waxed cold in man, and though the saints be created again according to that image of God, yet while in this world they live, that image is not so perfect as it was, the flesh remains in the best: in which respect God has fast fixed this affection of fear in man's heart, and thereby both restrains him from sin, and also provokes him unto every good duty.

Section 1.5. Of the Fear of God Moving Us to Do Service to Men.

Having briefly declared the nature, object, extent, and use of fear, I return to the point in hand, viz. to show 1. how it is here laid down as a motive to stir up men to perform the duty here required: for by this clause, in the fear of the Lord, the apostle implies that—

Doctrine. It is the fear of God which moves men conscionably to submit themselves one to another. This made David so well to rule the people of God: [2 Sam 23:3] and Joseph [Gen 42:18] to deal so well with his brothers: [Gen 42:18] yea, this is noted to be the cause of the righteous regiment of Christ Himself. [Isa 11:2-3] Well did that good king Jehoshaphat know this, and therefore when he appointed judges over his people, as a motive to stir them up to execute the judgments of the Lord aright, he says unto them, Let the fear of the Lord be upon you. [2 Chron 19:7] So also Peter, to move subjects to honor their king, prefixes this exhortation, Fear God. [1 Pet 2:17]

Objection. By fear of man, may one be brought to submit himself to another: as a magistrate may be moved to deal justly and mildly with his people through fear of insurrections and rebellions: subjects may by severe laws and tyranny be brought to submit themselves: and so other inferiors also by threats, by hard usage, and other by-respects.

Answer 1. Though fear of man be a motive, yet it follows not, that therefore fear of God should be no motive: it may be another motive, and a better motive.

Difference Between Doing a Thing for Fear of God and Fear of Man

Answer 2. The submission which is performed through fear of man is a forced and a slavish submission, nothing acceptable to God, but that which is performed through a true filial fear of God, is a free, willing, ready, cheerful, conscionable submission: such a submission as will stir us up to do the best good we can thereby unto them, to whom we submit ourselves, and so is more acceptable to God, by reason of the cause thereof, and more profitable unto man, by reason of the effect and fruit thereof.

The Power of a Fear of God

Reason. For a true fear of God makes us more respect what God requires and commands, than what our corrupt heart desires and suggests: It subdues our unruly passions, and brings them within compass of duty: It makes us deny ourselves and our own desires: and though through the corruption of our nature and inborn pride we be loath to submit, yet will God's fear bring down that proud mind, and make us humble and gentle. It will keep those who are in authority from tyranny, cruelty, and overmuch severity: and it will keep those who are under subjection from dissimulation, deceit, and privy conspiracies. 

 The Necessity of a Fear of God

Use. Behold how necessary it is, that a true fear of the Lord be planted in men's hearts, in the hearts of kings and all Governors, in the hearts of subjects and all people, whether superiors or inferiors. Where no fear of God is, there will be no good submission unto man. Abraham thought that the men of Gerar would have no respect to him or his wife, nor make conscience of common honesty, nor abstain from innocent blood, because he saw no fear of God in that place: [Gen 20:11] and the apostle having reckoned up many notorious effects of man's natural corruption, concludes all with this, as the cause of all, There is no fear of God before their eyes. [Rom 3:11] Wherefore let magistrates, parents, masters, and all in authority, have especial care that their subjects, children, servants, and all under them may be taught and brought to fear the Lord. I dare avouch it, that such inferiors which are taught to fear God, will do better service to their superiors, than such as fear their superiors only as men, and fear not God. Let ministers especially urge and press upon the consciences of men a fear of God. Let all inferiors pray that the fear of the Lord may be planted in the hearts of their superiors, that so they may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty under them. Happy is that kingdom where magistrates and subjects fear the Lord. Happy is that church where ministers and people fear the Lord. Happy is that family where husband and wife, parents and children, master and servants fear the Lord. In such a kingdom, church, and family, will everyone, to the mutual good one of another, submit themselves one to another. But if such as fear not God submit themselves, whether they be superiors or inferiors, it is for their own ends and advantages, and not for their good to whom they submit themselves.