Page 82
SECT. II.
Concerning these duties, in speciall, and first, of fear.
ALl other debts or duties of man to God, must be founded in and spring from his love of God. Love is acceptable of itself. No other per∣formance is acceptable to God, but as in con∣junction with love. He that fear's God without love, his fear carries in it punishment, sadnes, tor∣ment, bondage to himself, and find's no accep∣tance with God. He that pretend's to honour god, without love, flatter's him, play's the hypocrite, and is abominable. But fear joyn'd with love, is voluntary, free, and acceptable; has no torment, sadnes, or bondage in it. Fear then, singly consi∣dered in itself, without love, being but a servile thing, carrying with it pain and torment, ought not to be multiplied, as love ought. One right fear of God admits no other fear's, but expell's them. From the love of God, do flow infinite secondary loves of all creatur's, as made or born of him, and as more or less resembling what is in him. But from the true fear of God, issue no secondary fear's of any creature whatsoever, I am he that comforteth thee, say's God, who art thou that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die, and forgettest the lord thy maker? Isai. 51. 12, 13.