The Rule of Fear, and Its Several Kinds

By this word fear, we are to understand the word of God, the rule and director of our fear.

1. FEAR is the word of God, the written word of God; for that also is, and ought to be, the rule and directory of our fear.
   • Psalm 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
     
   • For that which he calleth in this place the fear of the Lord, even in the same place he calleth the law, statutes, commandments, and judgements of God
   • Psalm 19-7-9 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
   • (My addition) John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
     
   • Psalm 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
     
   • Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
     
   • Isaiah 11:3,4 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
   • The word of God (object of our fear, rule of our fear) is given to us that we may read therein all the days of our life, and learn to fear the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:1-24; 10:12; 17:19
   • Trembling at the word of God, is taken notice of God, and counted laudable and praiseworthy