The Institution of Christian Religion

Now, •he fear of the lord, whereof commonly in every place witness is borne to all the holy ones, & which is in some places called the beginning of wisdom & in some places wisdom it self,¹ although it be but one,² yet it proceedeth from a double understanding. For God hath in himself the reverence both of a father & of a lord.³ Therefore he that will truly worship him, will endeavour to show himself both an obedient son & a serviceable servant unto him.⁴ The obedience that is given to him as to a father, the Lord by his Prophet calleth honour: the service that is done to him as to a lord, he calleth fear. The son (saith he) honoureth the father & the servant the lord.⁵ If I be a father, where is my honour? If I be a lord, where is my fear? But how soever he putteth difference between them, thou seest how he confoundeth them both together. Therefore let the fear of the lord be unto us a reverence, mingled with that same honour & fear. Neither is it any marvel, if one mind receive both those affections. For he that considereth with himself what a father God is unto us, hath cause enough, although there were no hells at all, why he should dread his displeasure more grievously than any death. But also (such is the wantonness of our flesh to run to licentiousness of sinning) to restrain the same by all means, we ought therewithal to take hold of this thought, that the Lord under whose power we live, abhorreth all iniquity, whose vengeance they shall not escape, that in living wickedly do provoke his wrath against themselves.

Now, •he feare of the lord, whereof cōmonly in euery place witnesse is borne to al the holy ones, & whiche is in some places called the beginning of wisedom & in some places wisedome it selfe,¹ although it be but one,