CHAPTER II.
_Of the signs and effects of the fear of man._
1. A FEARFUL man is not easily convinced of the truth, and tho’ it be laid before him with the clearest evidence, yet he starts many doubts and scruples about it, lest, if he should confess it too roundly, he should be hated, persecuted, or reputed a heretic.
2. He is never so busy in starting objections, as in cases that most tend to the glory of God.
*3. When he is convinced of the truth, he will not confess it before men; or if he do, ’tis only among the lovers of truth. But before the enemies thereof, he conceals or denies it, or talks so dubiously about it, as to leave them uncertain whether he believes it or no; at least he takes care so to order his words, as to be able always to give them a handsome turn, and so be able to come off without trouble. If he lives in a place where truth is professed, he owns it open mouth’d; but if he comes to another place, he finds many difficulties in the point, so that he resolves to halt between both, and leave it undetermined.
4. When he finds he cannot avoid owning the truth, yet he takes care so to limit and pinch it, that it may appear tolerable even to the enemies of truth.
5. A fearful man will at ♦last break out into an avowed confession of truth; but it is when he finds himself well backed with human authority; that is, when a person of unspotted reputation, and great learning, hath asserted the same before him. Accordingly he is more careful to arm himself with a fine train of human testimonies, than with the word of God itself; and thinks he has a right so to do, because he sees that the chearful confessors of truth have sometimes stopped ♠the mouths of their shameless adversaries with such arguments.
♦ “least” replaced with “last” per Errata
♠ duplicate word “the” removed
6. When some good work is to be done, he doth not undertake it with a simple reliance on the living God: but when he finds good patrons on his side, he at last sets about it. Yet when he sees the storm arise, and the waves beat, he gives way and so loses all he had gained.
7. He always finds something to blame in the behaviour of faithful labourers. Sometimes he fears they go too far. Sometimes, finding nothing to tax in the thing itself, he blames the manner of doing it. When he finds nothing else to cavil at, he cries, the work is not well timed: thus he always sees some fault; tho’, indeed, there is none but his own want of faith.
8. He is very apt to believe any false reports against the faithful children of God; and, because his own heart fails, he is very forward in warning them to take heed to themselves; thus by his prudence, damping and stifling the chearfulness of their faith.
9. He does not love that a minister should make too plain and particular an application of his sermons, or shew too great earnestness in his function, or profession of Christianity.
10. A fearful man is easily moved to envy; especially when he sees those that are young acting chearfully in faith; and cries, “That is none of his business, but must be left to those of more knowledge and experience.”
11. He either himself exposes as presumptuous, stubborn, self-conceited, proud and pharisaical, those who, with a free and child-like spirit, break thro’ all opposition: or, at least, sits on the bench when they are thus condemned, and consents to the unjust sentence pronounced against them.
12. A fearful minister reproves common people boldly; but when he is to speak to great and honourable persons, his mouth is gagged.
*13. The pulpit is a fearful preacher’s strong hold; but when he is to speak face to face, and to bear witness to the truth, by saying, _Thou art the man_; then he is very supple and complaisant.
14. When he hears prophane, loose, or foolish men talking, he holds his tongue; and when it comes from great men, he graces it with a smile.
15. Above all things, a fearful man, cannot abide to be singular.
16. Sometimes he desires to do something to the glory of God; but he soon confronts the thought with “What will people say?” And then fairly drops it.
17. He cautiously shuns frequent and familiar conversation with the members of Christ that are despised by the world. Or, if he be willing to converse with them by night and in secret, yet he cares not to appear with them in public. He rather appoints some certain place to meet them, where it may not be taken notice of.
18. A fearful preacher makes it his business in his public discourses, to bring in something against enthusiasm and fanaticism; and then he thinks he may venture to speak the truth; which is true enough. For the world takes it for granted, that he means it as they apprehend it, that is, as spoken against those on whom they falsely bestow those names.
19. A fearful man rejoiceth for a time, while the light of truth shines upon him; but as soon as he is called to account for it, he is sore afraid, makes many excuses, and by all manner of shifts and evasions, endeavours to extricate himself, and to get rid of the suspicion of it.
20. Instead of reproving his neighbour, he says, “God is so merciful, that he does not doubt but he will himself reclaim him in due time.”
21. When he is to press the inward truth of Christianity, he says, “It is too high for them:” if he is to enforce any thing of outward behaviour, he accounts it a little thing; or else says, “We must not begin at outward things.”