“The spirit of bondage works by fear, for the slave fears the rod. But love cries, “Abba, Father” It disposes us to go to God, and behave ourselves towards God as children. And it gives us clear evidence of our union to God as His children – and so casts out fear. So that it appears that the witness of the Spirit that [Scripture] speaks of is far from being any whisper, or immediate suggestion or revelation; but that gracious holy effect of the Spirit of God in the hearts of the saints, that disposition and temper of children, appearing in sweet childlike love to God, which casts out fear or a spirit of a slave.”
– Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections
