The first book, a clear and brief explanation upon the chief points of the New Testament ... by M. Marsin.

Chap. IX. What we ought to fear, and what we ought not to fear.

Jude v. 12. These are spots in your Feasts of Cha∣rity, when they feast with you, feeding them∣selves without fear, Clouds they are without water: That is, for any to feed themselves without fear, the Apostle terms them Clouds without water. But for Believers to be timerously fearful of them∣selves, because of their own weakness lest they should offend; that fear is pleasing in the sight of God, because it keeps them in a diligent watchfulness. And were there not great cause of fear, the Apostle would not have so fore∣warned

the Saints of that roaring Lion, that walks about seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5.8. And of such as fear, it is said, The Lord will deliver them, who through fear of death, were all their life∣time subject to bondage, Heb. 2.15. Here we see there is comfort for them that so fear. But as for such as are mistrustfully fearful of the faith∣fulness and power of God, that he will not per∣form his promise according to his word, and therefore they will not venture the loss of the delights and advantages of this World, so as to obey his Commands and Precepts; of such fear∣ful and unbelieving it is of whom the Lord saith, They shall have their part in the Lake which burn∣eth with fire and brimstone, Rev. 21.8. Therefore St. Paul saith to the Saints, Heb. 10.35. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great re∣compence of reward. That is, confidence in the power and faithfulness of God; for as we be∣lieve that God is, so we must believe that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, Heb. 11. v. 6. And that the Crown of Life, according to the promise of the Lord, will be given to them that continue faithful to the death, Rev. 2.10. Therefore St. Paul saith, For ye have need of pa∣tience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise, Heb. 10.36. For, who∣soever doeth the will of God, comes in as Heirs to the promise. And accordingly St. Paul saith, 1 Cor. 9.26. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly: so sight I, not as one that beateth the Air. This being the Apostle's faith, his confidence in the

faithfulness of the promiser, which made him thus run and fight; for, in so doing, he knew that he was not at an uncertainty▪ And this is the faith or belief which is to the saving of the Soul. For verily there is a reward for the righteous, Psal. 58.11. For God doth never justifie the un∣godly by the imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, but when they turn from sin unto God; for God will no otherwise clear the guilty.

1 John 4.18. He saith, Perfect love casteth out fear. That is, where perfect love is, it casteth out all slavish fear, but not a filial Child-like fear; but it is not every sincere-hearted Chri∣stian, can be thus assured they are made perfect in love, and those that are so, are not thereby assured that their love will so remain. For the Lord saith of the Church of Ephesus; That she was fallen from her first love; for which she was threatned to be removed out of his favour, if she did not repent and do her first works, Rev. 2.4,5.