A30211:613
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.
Secondly If thou wouldest grow in this Godly fear, learn rightly to distinguish it from that fear, in particular, that is Godly but for a time: Even from that fear that is wrought from the spirit, as a spirit of bondage. I say learn to distinguish this from that, and also perfectly to know the bounds that God hath set to that fear that is wrought by the spirit, as a spirit of bondage; Lest instead of growing in the fear that is to abide with thy soul for ever, thou be overrun again with that first fear, which is to abide with thee, but till the spirit of adoption come. And that thou mayest not only distinguish them one from the other, but also keep each in its due place and bounds, consider in general of what hath already been said upon this head, and in particular that the first fear is no more wrought by the holy spirit, but by the Devil to distress thee and make thee to live, not like a Son, but a slave. And for thy better help in this matter, know that God himself hath set bounds to this fear, and has concluded that after the spirit of Adoption is come, that other fear is wrought in thy heart by him no more. (Rom. 8.15. 2 Tim. 1.7.)
Again, before I leave this, let me tell thee that if thou dost not well bestir thee in this matter, this bondage fear, to wit that which is like it, though not wrought in thee by the Holy Ghost, will by the management and subtlety of the Devil, the author of it, haunt, disturb and make thee live uncomfortably, and that while thou art an heir of God and his Kingdom. This is that fear that the Apostle speaks of, That makes men all their life time subject to bondage, Heb. 2.14.15.
Again, before I leave this, let me tell thee that if thou dost not well bestir thee in this matter, this bondage fear, to wit that which is like it, though not wrought in thee by the Holy Ghost, will by the management and subtilty of the Devil, the author of it, haunt, disturb and make thee live uncomfortably, and that while thou art an heir of God and his Kingdom. This is that fear that the Apostle speaks of, That makes men all their life time subject to bondage,