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.”
CHAPTER III.
Of the mischiefs caused by the fear of man.
1.MANY thousands of souls are thereby kept back from a true conversion: because they dare not suffer the knowledge of the truth to shine upon them in its full strength, but hold it imprisoned, as it were, by manifold shifts and pretences.
2. Many who are already converted are hereby hindered from growth in holiness, as they deprive themselves of many opportunities (which they greatly need) to strengthen and edify themselves in God; for this fear makes them avoid the conversation of those who are most able to build them up in the faith, and run into many other sins against the dictates of their own conscience.
Again, as a free and ready confession of the truth, highly advances a man in faith and love; so the denying or hiding it, keeps him quite down, and hinders him from attaining the power of the spirit. Many know not what the reason is, why they advance so slowly in spiritual growth. It is plainly this, the fear of man lurking within, eats [♦]out the vigour and activity of the life of grace. God, ’tis certain, does infinitely abound in mercy, and would willingly every day pour out new blessings upon us. But a fearful man is not receptive of them. He doth not act in singleness of heart. He dares not trust God, and God therefore cannot fill him with the fulness of his graces.