It is the fear of God which moves men conscionably to submit themselves one to another. This made [2. Sam. 23. 3] David so well to rule the people of God: and [Gen. 42. 18] Joseph to deal so well with his brethren: yea, [Isa. 11. 2, 3] this is noted to be the cause of the righteous regiment of Christ himself. Well did that good King Jehosaphat 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 said unto them, “Let the fear of the Lord be upon you.” So also [2 Peter, 2 Chron. 19. 7] to move subjects to honor their King, prefaces this exhortation, “Fear God. [1 Pet. 2. 17]
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.
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.
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.
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 inborne 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 over-much severity: and it will keep those who are under subjection from dissimulation, deceit, and privie conspiracies.
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 thought that the men of Gerar would have no respect for 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: 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.” Wherefore let Magistrates, Parents, Masters, and all in authority, have special care that their subjects, children, servants, and all under them may be taught and brought to fear the Lord. I dare assert 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 every one, 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.
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