A30211:358
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
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.
2. This fear makes them have also a very great reverence of his word; for that also, I told you, was the rule of their fear, Princes, said David, persecute me without a cause, but my heart standeth in AWE (in fear) of thy word.
This grace of fear therefore, from it flows reverence of the words of God; of all laws, that man feareth the Word; and no law that is not agreeing therewith, Psal. 119.116.
3. There flows from this godly fear, tenderness of Gods glory. This fear I say will cause a man to afflict his soul, when he seeth, that by professors, dishonour is brought to the name of God, and to his word. Who would not fear thee, said Servius, O King of Nations, for to thee doth it appertain. He speaks it as being affected with that dishonour, that by the body of the Jews was continually brought to his name, his word, and ways, he also speaks it of a hearty wish that they once would be otherwise minded. The same saving in effect, hath also John in the ⟨p. 110⟩Revelations, O who would not fear thee Lord, said he, and glorify thy name? Revel. 15.4. clearly concluding that godly fear produceth a godly tenderness of Gods glory in the world, for that appertaineth unto him: that is, it is due unto him, 'tis a debt which we owe unto him. Give unto the Lord, said David, the glory due unto his Name. Now if there be begotten in the heart of the godly, by this grace of fear, a godly tenderness of the glory of God, then it follows of consequence, that where they that have this fear of God, do see his glory diminished by the wickedness of the children of men, there they are grieved, and deeply distressed. Rivers of waters, said David, run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy Law,