A30211:123
A treatise of the fear of God showing what it is, and how distinguished…A treatise of the fear of God shewing what it is, and how distinguished…
A treatise of the fear of God showing what it is, and how distinguished from that what is not so : also whence it comes, who has it, what are the effects, and what the privileges of those that have it in their hearts / by John Bunyan.A treatise of the fear of God shewing what it is, and how distinguished from that what is not so : also whence it comes, who has it, what are the effects, and what the priviledges of those that have it in their hearts / by John Bunyan.
London: printed for N. Ponder, 1679
Of several sorts of fear of God in the heart of the Children of men.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And thus do all those that retain the name, and show of religion, but are neglecters, as to the power, and godly practice of it. These will live like Dogs and Swine in the house, they pray not, they watch not their hearts, they pull not their hands out of their bosoms to work, they do not strive against their lusts, nor will they ever resist unto blood striving against sin; they cannot take up their Cross, or improve what they have to Gods glory.
And thus do all those that retain the name, and shew of religion, but are neglecters, as to the power, and godly practice of it. These will live like Dogs and Swine in the house, they pray not, they watch not their hearts, they pull not their hands out of their bosoms to work, they do not strive against their lusts, nor will they ever resist unto blood striving against sin; they cannot take up their Cross, or improve what they have to Gods glory.
Let all men therefore take heed of this ungodly fear, and shun it as they shun the Devil, for it will make them afraid where no fear is. It will tell them that there is a Lion in the street, the unlikeliest place in the world for such a beast to be in; it will put a visor upon the face of God, most dreadful and fearful to behold, and then quite discourage the soul as to his service; so it served the slothful servant, and so it will serve thee poor sinner, if thou entertainest it, and givest way thereto. But,
Let all men therefore take heed of this ungodly fear, and shun it as they shun the Devil, for it will make them afraid where no fear is. It will tell them that there is a Lion in the street, the unlikeliest place in the world for such a beast to be in; it will put a vizzard upon the face of God, most dreadfull and fearful to behold, and then quite discourage the soul as to his service; so it served the slothful servant, and so it will serve thee poor sinner, if thou entertainest it, and givest way thereto. But,