Volume III, Treatise IV, Chapter X

The Advantages Which Flow from the Fear of God

THAT we may set a greater value on this wholesome fear, and even force ourselves more and more to preserve it in our hearts, I will touch on some of the benefits which it confers. First, it does not in the least destroy our confidence in God, nor abate our courage; but on the contrary, it strengthens and relieves us, and like true humility, makes us diffide in ourselves, by placing all our hopes in God alone. St, Gregory, upon these words of Job, “where is your fear, that gives you so much courage?”— (Job 4:6),—explains this admirably well. Job had reason, says he, to join fear and valour together; for God’s proceedings differ much from ours. With us, courage makes us stronger, and fear makes us weaker. But here courage makes us weaker, and fear stronger, according to the wise man, who says, “courage and confidence consist in the fear of God” (Proverbs 14:26) And the reason is this: he that truly fears God has nothing else to fear; all things else are too despicable and mean to be a subject of apprehension to him. ‘“He that fears the Lord”, says the Scripture, “shall not be afraid of anything else; he fears nothing, because the Lord is his hope”’ (Ecclesiasticus 34:26) Fear in some sort subjects us to what we are afraid of, as to a thing that has power to hurt us: and he who fears God exceedingly, who esteems nothing but God, who reposes all his hope in him alone, knows not what it is to fear the world, tyrants, death, devils, not. even Hell itself; for none of all these can hurt him, or discompose one hair of his head, without God’s permission. The strength he feels in this holy disposition of mind, exceeds all the strength and power of mankind united together. For it is God that is our strength, according to these words of the Royal Prophet, “God is the strength of those that fear him” (Psalms 24:14)

Nor does this holy fear bring bitterness or trouble with it; it does not disturb the mind, nor prove the least inconvenience to it, but on the contrary fills it with joy and sweetness. The fear which some have of losing their honour or fortune, as also the servile fear of death and Hell, really afflicts and torments; but a filial fear, such as good children have of displeasing their father, imparts to the soul holy satisfaction, and softens the heart by means of the acts of the love of God which it continually produces. Dear Lord, never permit me to be separated from thee. Let me die a thousand times rather than once offend thee.

.“The fear of the Lord”, says the Scripture, “is an accumulated glory and a most accomplished joy. The fear of God rejoices the heart, and brings pleasure, content, and long life with it. The man that fears God shall meet with blessings to the end of his life, and he shall be blessed and happy on his dying bed” (Ecclesiasticus 1:11), etc..

You see with what eloquence and variety of expression the wisest of men describes the pleasure and satisfaction which the fear of God brings with it. It does not make us tremble like

_ slaves who dread chastisement, and thus the more we love God,

the more we fear to offend him. The more a docile son loves his 158 father, the more he endeavours to please him. And a good wife, - the more kindness she has for her husband, the more careful she is not to give him the least cause of discontent.

In a word, all the praises and advantages which holy Scripture assigns the humble, it equally assigns to those who fear God, and this almost in the same terms. For if it says, that “God fixes his eyes upon the poor and humble”—ZJsa., lxvi. 2,—it also says, that “the eyes of the Lord watch over those that fear him’ (Ecclesiasticus 34:19) If it says, that “he exalts the humble and fills them with good things” (Luke 1:53),—it also says, that “his mercy shines upon those that fear him, from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50),—and that “those that fear him shall be great with him in everything” (Judith 16:19) Nor do the saints attribute more to humility than to the fear of God. When they say, that humility is the guardian of other virtues, and that there can be no solid virtue without it, they say the same of fear, and call it with the prophet Isaias, “‘ God’s treasure” —Js., xxxiii. 6. For in effect it preserves all other virtues, and is the source of grace. And they also add, that as a ship can never sail securely without ballast, because the least wind would overset her; so a soul can never sail prosperously through the sea of this world,. unless ballasted with the fear of God, which is the only thing that can keep it steady amidst the tempestuous blasts of pride and prosperity. Let it be ever so richly laden with virtues and talents, if it wants this ballast of fear, it will be in very great danger of sinking. St. Gregory says, “that the weight of the fear of God is the anchor of our soul”. St. Jerome makes “fear the preserver of virtues, and too great a presumption the highway toruin”. ‘Fear is the foundation of our salvation”, according to Tertullian. ‘If we fear”, says he, “we shall be cautious, and if cautious we shall be saved; for care and solicitude bring at last certain security”.

To conclude, all that Solomon says of the excellency of wisdom, is ascribed by him to the fear of God, in these words: “The fear of God is true wisdom” (Ecclesiasticus 1:34) Job speaks in the same manner, saying, that “the fear of God is wisdom itself” (Job 28:28) So that you see whatever is said of wisdom, may be justly applied to this wholesome fear. Nay, it has something more in it than the other, for Solomon owns, that ‘the perfection of wisdom consists in the fear of God” (Ecclesiasticus 1:20) And in another place having cried out, “how great is he that has found wisdom and knowledge!” he presently adds, “he is not greater than he who fears God”. The fear of God is above all things. Happy is the man whom God has blessed with this fear! To whom shall we compare him that posesses it in his heart?” (Ecclesiasticus 25:13), etc.

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