A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

§. 10 The sixth sign, immoderate fear in time of danger.

§. 10 The sixt signe, immoderate feare in time of danger.

The sixth sign of carnal security, is immoderate fear in time of danger. For it is an ordinary thing with Vices, when they are a little checked and crossed, to turn into their contrary extremes; As of presumption into despair, profane mirth into deep melancholy, insolent pride into most abject baseness; as we see in the example of Benhadad, who being exalted in the opinion of his unresistable forces, ¹gloriously boasteth that the King of Israels silver and gold, wives and children, were already his before the battle, because the dust of Samaria could not suffice for handfuls for all the people that followed him; but being put to the worse in the battle, he becometh cowardly base, sending his servants with halters about their necks, to acknowledge his service, and to beg for life. And thus it fareth with carnal security, which in the time of prosperity and safety, is bold and confident, but when danger approacheth entertaineth all fears, and is presently daunted and dismayed with the shaking of a leaf. As we see in the example of the Apostle Peter, who was most confident and ²secure in his own strength before he was tried; but when he seeth himself in some peril, every scar-crow maketh him afraid. And as ³the true fear of God expelleth other fears (like that wind which is strongest in a whirlwind where divers meet) according to that of the Apostle, We have not received the spirit of bondage to fear again, ⁴