Use of This Doctrine, Part 3

Mr. Carroll covers Bunyan's thirteen directives for growing in the fear of God and ten hindrances that impede that growth. The growth directives include distinguishing types of fear, deepening knowledge of the new covenant as "the girdle of our reins" (Isaiah 11; Luke 1:68–75), keeping evidences of salvation alive upon the heart (Psalm 61), setting the majesty of God before one's eyes to avoid subtle idolatry, maintaining the authority of Scripture over private impressions, and devoting oneself to prayer for increase. Among the hindrances, Mr. Carroll gives extended treatment to murmuring—drawing on William Jenkin's analysis of the Greek word in Jude 16 and its Latin cognate meaning "to grunt as a fat swine"—arguing that murmuring displaces the fear of God by setting one's own wisdom above God's providence.