The fourth (and last) volume of discourses, or sermons, on several scriptures

1. In slavish Fear there is always some degree of Despair: ¹Now this slavish Fear is joined with dreadful expectations of Wrath. A Slave that hath committed a Fault, expects no other than to be punished for it without Mercy. So those that lie under this slavish Fear, apprehend and account of God no otherwise than the slothful Servant, as a severe Lord and a cruel Tyrant, that will exact Punishment from them to the utmost of their Deserts; they expect no other but that certainly God's Wrath will kindle upon them and burn them eternally, and this makes them live as the Apostle speaks in Heb. 10.27. In certain fearful Expectations of Wrath and Indignation, that shall devour them as Adversaries. This kind of horrid Fear I doubt not but is common to most wicked Men; and though they brave it out, and most of them speak high Matters of their hopes of Heaven and Salvation, yet at the same time their own Hearts and Consciences tell them sad and misgiving Stories of Hell and everlasting Wrath. But now a true and filial Fear of God looks at the Wrath of God with Dread and Terror, but not ⟨p. 286⟩with Expectation; there's the Difference. Slavish Fear looks upon the Wrath of God, and expects it; Filial Fear looks upon it as due, but not with Expectations that it should be inflicted upon it.

1. In slavish Fear there is always some degree of Dispair: ¹Now this slavish Fear is joined with dreadful expectations of Wrath. A Slave that hath committed a Fault, expects no other than to be punished for it without Mercy. So those that lie under this slavish Fear, apprehend and account of God no otherwise than the slothful Servant, as a severe Lord and a cruel Tyrant, that will exact Punishment from them to the utmost of their Deserts; they expect no other but that certainly God's Wrath will kindle upon them and burn them eternally, and this makes them live as the Apostle speaks in Heb. 10.27. In certain fearful Expectations of Wrath and Indignation, that shall devour them as Adversaries. This kind of horrid Fear I doubt not but is common to most wicked Men; and though they brave it out, and most of them speak high Matters of their hopes of Heaven and Salvation, yet at the same time their own Hearts and Consciences tell them sad and misgiving Stories of Hell and everlasting Wrath. But now a true and filial Fear of God looks at the Wrath of God with Dread and Terror, but not