Directions against sinful Fear of the Devil
they will fly from it, and some enemies or robbers were in the way. If you try fearfully, others will fear there is some quicksand. If you tremble when you enter the ship with Christ, others will think he is an unfaithful pilot, or that it is a leaking ves Your fear discourageth them.
Direct. XI. 'Remember how remediless, as to comfort, you leave yourselves, while you inordinately fear he who alone must comfort you against all your other fear. If you fear your remedy, what shall cure the fear of your disease? If you fear your meat, what shall cure your f of hunger? If you fear him that is most good and faithful, and the friend of every upright soul, what shall e you of the fear of the wicked and the enemies of having souls? If you fear your Father, who shall comfort you against your foes? You cast away all peace, when you make God your terror.
Direct. XII. 'Yet take heed lest under this pretence cast away the necessary fear of God; even such as belongeth to men in your condition, to drive them out of their and security unto Christ, and such as the truth of his threatings require. For a senseless presumption and content of God, are a sin of a far greater danger.'
Directions against sinful Fear of the Devil Direct. I. 'Remember that the devil is chained up, wholly at the will and beck of God.' He could not to Job, nor an ox, nor an ass of his, till he had permission from God: he cannot appear to thee nor hurt thee unless God give him leave.
Direct. II. 'Labour therefore to make sure of the love of God, and then thou art safe:' then thou hast God, his love and promise always to set against the devil.
Direct. III. 'Remember that Christ hath conquered the devil in his temptations, on the cross, by his resurrection and ascension." He
"destroyed through death him that had the power of death, even the devil, that he might deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." The prince of this world is conquered and cast out by him, and wilt thou fear a conquered foe?
Direct. IV. 'Remember that thou art already delivered from his power and dominion, if thou be renewed by the Spirit of God.' And therefore let his own be afraid of him, that are under his power, and not the free men and redeemed ones of Christ. God hath delivered thee in the day that he converted thee, from a thousandfold greater calamity, than the seeing of the devil would be: and having been saved from his greatest malice, you should not overfear the less.
Direct. V. 'Remember what an injury it is to God, and to Christ that conquered him, to fear the devil, while God is your Protector,' (any otherwise than as the instrument of God's displeasure:) It seemeth as much to say, I fear lest the devil be too hard for God: or lest God cannot deliver me from him.
Direct. VI. 'Remember how you honour the devil by fearing him, and please him by thus honouring him.' And will not you abhor to honour and please such an enemy of God and you? This is it that he would have, to be feared instead of God: he glorieth in it as part of his dominion: as tyrants rejoice to see men fear them, as those that can destroy them when they will, so the devil triumpheth in your fears as his honour. When God reprehendeth the idolatry of the Israelites, it is as they feared their idols of wood and stone, To fear them, shewed that they took them for their gods.
Direct. VII. 'Consider that it is a folly to be inordinately fearful of that which never did befal thee, and never befalleth one of many hundred
thousand men:' I mean any terrible appearance of the devil. Thou never sawest him nor hearest credibly of but very few in an age that see him (beside witches): This fear therefore is irrational, the danger being utterly improbable.
Direct. VIII. 'Consider that if the devil should appear to thee, yea, and carry thee to the top of a mountain, or the pinnacle of the temple, and talk to thee with blasphemony temptations, it would be no other than what thy Lord himself submitted to; who was still the dearly beloved of their Father.' One sin is more terrible than this.
Direct. IX. 'Remember that if God should permit him appear to thee, it might turn to thy very great advantage by killing all thy unbelief or doubts, of angels, and spirit and the unseen world.' It would sensibly prove to thee th there is indeed an unhappy race of spirits, who envy m and seek his ruin; and so would more convince thee of t evil of sin, the danger of souls, the need of godliness, and the truth of Christianity. And it is like this is one cause why the devil no more appeareth in the world, not only because it is contrary to the ordinary government of God, w will have us live by faith and not by sight; but also because the devil knoweth how much it would do to destroy his kingdom, by destroying infidelity, atheism, and security, and awakening men to faith, and fear, and godliness. The foler or the angler must not come in sight, lest he spoil the game by frighting it away.
Direct. X. 'If it be the spiritual temptations and moletations only of satan which you fear, remember that you have more cause to fear yourselves, for he can but temper you; and if you do not more against yourselves, than the devils in hell can do, you will never perish.' And if you are willing to accept and yield to Christ, you need not inordinately fear either satan or yourselves.' For it is in the name and