Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…

4. The Fear of Hell is so far good in the Godly, as it is a Fear mixed with Rejoicing, Psalm 2.11. Rejoice with trembling. A Believers Fear of Hell must be like the Fear of the two Maries going from the Sepulchre, Mat. 28.8. They departed from the Sepulchre with Fear and great Joy: Fear, because they had seen an Angel; and ⟨p. 78⟩Joy, because Christ was risen. So must the Godly look on Hell, with Fear and Joy; Fear, because of the Fire; Joy, because Christ hath freed them from it. A man that stands upon an high rock, Fears when he looks down into the Sea, yet Rejoiceth that he is not there struggling with the Waves: So a Child of God when he looks down into Hell by Contemplation may fear because of the dreadfulness of the Torment; yet this Fear should be mingled with Joy, to think he shall never come there. Jesus hath delivered him from Wrath to come^†.

4. The Fear of Hell is so far good in the Godly, as it is a Fear mixed with Rejoycing, Psalm 2.11. Rejoyce with trembling. A Believers Fear of Hell must be like the Fear of the two Maries going from the Sepulcher, Mat. 28.8. They departed from the Sepulcher with Fear and great Ioy: Fear, because they had seen an Angel; and ⟨p. 78⟩Joy, because Christ was risen. So must the Godly look on Hell, with Fear and Joy; Fear, because of the Fire; Joy, because Christ hath freed them from it. A man that stands upon an high rock, Fears when he looks down into the Sea, yet Rejoyceth that he is not there strugling with the Waves: So a Child of God when he looks down into Hell by Contemplation may fear because of the dreadfulness of the Torment; yet this Fear should be mingled with Joy, to think he shall never come there. Iesus hath delivered him from Wrath to come^†