The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs

The last thing that is to be opened in the explication of the point is this. Faith helps against the ⟨p. 54⟩fear of danger and the fear of man.

THe last thing that is to be opened in the explication of the point is this. Faith helps against the ⟨p. 54⟩feare of danger and the feare of man.

Object, But some may say that which you have said hitherto may seem to embolden men to rush into dangers, this is the plea of many that bring themselves into dangers, and rush upon their ruin, we must not be afraid of men.

Object, But some may say that which you have said hitherto may seem to embolden men to rush into dangers, this is the plea of many that bring themselves into dangers, and rush upon their ruine, we must not be affraid of men.

Answer. To that I answer, Religion doth not teach men to be foolish or to be desperate; it is too much boldness for any man to think God should give him assistance in foolish, desperate, rash ways. It is a speech of Cyprian, God would rather have us stay to manifest our faith, till we are called by him, and see him go before us, then that we should go upon our own heads. Faith as it hath the word evermore for its ground and bottom, in that great act of it, interesting the soul in the Covenant of Grace; so it hath the word for the ground of it in every action it puts the soul upon. We have a notable text for this in Prov. 10.8. The wise in heart will receive Commandments: but a prating fool shall. fall. the wise in heart, those that are truly gracious receive commandments: before they rush into danger, they will stay for the commandment, for the word: but a prating fool shall fall, one that will boldly venture himself in danger, in speaking before he is called unto it, he shall fall in it, he must not expect the assistance of God in it.