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| The Fear and Love of God.
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Chapter
XII.—The Fear and Love of God.
“Thus, then, grateful service to Him who is
truly Lord, renders us free from service to all other masters.1345
| 1345 We have adopted an
emendation of a passage which is plainly corrupt. | If, then, it is possible for any
one to be free from sin without fearing God, let him not fear; for
under the influence of love to Him one cannot do what is displeasing to
Him. For, on the one hand, it is written that we are to fear Him,
and we have been commanded to love Him, in order that each of us may
use that prescription which is suitable to his constitution. Fear
Him, therefore, because He is just; but whether you fear Him or love
Him, sin not. And may it be the case that any one who fears Him
shall be able to gain the victory over unlawful desires, shall not lust
after what belongs to others, shall practise kindness, shall be sober,
and act justly! For I see some who are imperfect in their fear of
Him sinning very much. Let us therefore fear God, not only
because He is just; for it is through pity for those who have received
injustice that He inflicts punishment on those who have done the
injustice. As water therefore quenches fire, so does fear
extinguish the desire for evil practices. He who teaches
fearlessness does not himself fear; but he who does not fear, does not
believe that there will be a judgment, strengthens his lusts, acts as a
magician, and accuses others of the deeds which he himself
does.”
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