A30211:660
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.
5. Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then Take heed of an unbelieving heart; For an unbelieving heart is not good ground for this grace of fear to grow in. An unbelieving heart is called an evil heart, (Heb. 3.13.) because, from it flows all the wickedness that is committed in the World. Now it is faith, or a believing heart that nourisheth this fear of God (Heb. 11.7.) and not the other; and the reason is, for that faith brings God, Heaven, and Hell, to the soul, and maketh ⟨p. 214⟩it duly consider of them all: this is therefore the means of fear, and that which will make it grow in the soul: but unbelief is a BANE thereto.
6. Wouldst thou grow in this grace of fear? Then take heed of a forgetful heart. Such an heart is not an heart where the grace of fear will flourish, when I remember I am afraid, &c. Therefore take heed of forgetfulness: do not forget but remember God, and his kindness, patience, and mercy, to those that yet neither have grace nor special favour from him, and that will beget and nourish his fear in thy heart, but forgetfulness of this or of any other of his judgments, is a great wound and weakening to this fear, Job 21.6. When a man well remembers that Gods judgments are so great a deep and mystery, as indeed they are, that remembrance puts a man upon such considerations of God, and of his judgments as to make him fear. Therefore says Job I am afraid of him. See the place, Job 23.15. Therefore am I troubled at his presence, when I consider I am afraid of him. When I remember and consider of the wonderful depths of his judgments toward man.
6. Wouldst thou grow in this grace of fear? Then take heed of a forgetful heart. Such an heart is not an heart where the grace of fear will flourish, when I remember I am affraid, &c. Therefore take heed of forgetfulness: do not forget but remember God, and his kindness, patience, and mercy, to those that yet neither have grace nor special favor from him, and that will beget and nourish his fear in thy heart, but forgetfulness of this or of any other of his judgments, is a great wound and weakening to this fear,