Reverence and watchfulness

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Often appears with: the fear of death · prudence and practical wisdom · fear of the lord · convictions of sin · conversion and faith · beginning of wisdom

Usually: argument (1) · exhortation (1)

Quotable

“True or right fear is discovered by three things:— 1. By its rise; it is caused by saving convictions for sin. 2. It driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation. 3. It begetteth and continueth in the soul a great reverence of God, his Word, and ways, keeping it tender.” John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which · precept

The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come primary

John Bunyan · c. 1675–1677 (Part 1 composed and issued as a complete work; Part 2 followed later)
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Christian and Hopeful discuss how the naturally ignorant resist fear of God, and they describe “right fear” as coming from convictions, driving to Christ, and producing reverence and watchfulness.

we are by ourselves, what do you think of such men? Have they at no time, think you, convictions of sin, and so consequently fears that their state is dangerous? HOPE. Nay, do you answer that question yourself, for you are the elder man. CHR. Then I say, sometimes (as I think) they may; but they being naturally ignorant, understand not that such convictions tend to their good; and therefore they do desperately seek…