The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

3. The Degrees of this Fear are expressed by Bondage. This Passion when regular in its Object and Degree, is excellently useful: 'tis a wise Counsellor and faithful Guardian, that plucks off the Mask from our Enemies, and keeps Reason vigilant and active to prevent a threatening Evil, or to sustain it in the best manner. 'Tis observable in the brute Creatures, that the Weak and Fearful are most subtle and ingenious to secure themselves, and supply the want of Strength with Artifice. But when Fear is inordinate, 'tis a tyrannous Master, that vexes the weary Soul, and hinders its free and noble Operations. Cesar chose rather to be exposed to sudden death,¹ than to be continually harassed with fears how to avoid it.² The Greek word implies the binding of the Spirit, that causes an ⟨p. 26⟩inward Slavery. And in the Apostle's Writings, ^‖the Spirit of Fear, and the Spirit of Bondage, are equivalent. Ishbosheth, when Abner provoked by the Charge about Saul's Concubine, imperiously threatened to translate the Kingdom to David, was struck with such a fear, that he could not answer Abner a word, 2 Sam. 3.10, 11. The sudden Passion stifled his Reply, and reduced him to a defenceless Silence. Now the fear of Death, as 'tis remiss or vehement, such are the degrees of Bondage from it.

3. The Degrees of this Fear are express'd by Bondage. This Passion when regular in its Object and Degree, is excellently useful: 'tis a wise Counsellor and faithful Guardian, that plucks off the Mask from our Enemies, and keeps Reason vigilant and active to prevent a threatning Evil, or to sustain it in the best manner. 'Tis observable in the brute Creatures, that the Weak and Fearful are most subtile and ingenious to secure themselves, and supply the want of Strength with Artifice. But when Fear is inordinate, 'tis a tyrannous Master, that vexes the weary Soul, and hinders its free and noble Operations. Cesar chose rather to be expos'd to sudden death,¹