CHAPTER I.
Of the nature and causes of the fear of man.
1.THE fear of man, in things pertaining to God, is a most heinous vice, and a kind of idolatry, whereby we think, speak, or do some evil, or decline thinking, speaking, or doing some good, out of some sort of consideration of men, or apprehension of their displeasure. Now the more there is of this fear still cleaving to believers, the more dangerous is the condition of their souls.
The causes hereof are either internal or external. The internal are chiefly these:
1. Unbelief, which is the root of all vices.
2. The love of the world, and the things of the world, and the want of self-denial; which makes us fear men would prejudice us in our reputation, estate, or ease, if we simply followed the word of God.
3. False humility, which is swayed more by the authority of men, than by the word of God, and prompts us to refer all things to the judgment of others, as understanding them better than ourselves.
4. An eager desire of visible success in all our undertakings; whereas we ought to rest satisfied with an inward victory; that is, with having kept a good conscience toward God.
5. Want of experience in the ways of God, which makes us hesitate in difficult cases, and indisposes the soul to rely upon God, fearing lest he should let us fail or miscarry in them, or that it would be presumption and tempting of God, to cast ourselves wholly upon him. This proceeds from our not having sufficiently learned, how dear they are to God that entirely trust in him: and what powerful assistance he affords, to accomplish his own work in them.
6. Neglect of prayer, which not only prevents our obtaining a full conquest over the fear of man, but likewise drives us down further into the stream of hypocrisy.