3. Take heed of cowardliness; he must needs be evil, who is afraid to be good, Pro. 29. 25. The fear of man bringeth a snare. They who fear danger more than sin, to avoid danger will commit sin. Origen out of a spirit of fear, offered Incense to the Idol. Aristotle saith, the reason why the Chameleon turns into so many colours, is through excessive fear: Fear will make men change their Religion, as often as the Chameleon doth her colour. Christian, thou who hast made a profession of godliness so long, and others ⟨p. 303⟩have noted thee for a Saint in their Calendar, why dost thou fear, and begin to shrink back? The Cause is good which thou art embarked in; thou fightest against sin; thou hast a good Captain which marcheth before thee; Christ the Captain of thy Salvation, Heb. 2. 10. What is it thou fearest? Is it loss of liberty? What is liberty worth, when Conscience is in bonds? Better lose thy liberty and keep thy peace, than lose thy peace and keep thy liberty: Is it loss of Estate? Dost thou say as Amaziah, 2 Chron. 25. 9. What shall we do for the hundred Talents? I would answer with the Prophet, The Lord can give thee much more than this: He hath promised thee in this life an hundred-fold, and if that be not enough, he will give thee life everlasting, Mat. 19. 29.
3. Take heed of cowardliness; he must needs be evil, who is afraid to be good, Pro. 29. 25. The fear of man bringeth a snare. They who fear danger more than sin, to avoid danger will commit sin. Origen out of a spirit of fear, offered Incense to the Idol. Aristotle saith, the reason why the Camelion turns into so many colours, is through excessive fear: Fear will make men change their Religion, as often as the Camelion doth her colour. Christian, thou who hast made a profession of godliness so long, and others ⟨p. 303⟩have noted thee for a Saint in their Kalendar, why dost thou fear, and begin to shrink back? The Cause is good which thou art imbarqued in; thou fightest against sin; thou hast a good Captain which marcheth before thee; Christ the Captain of thy Salvation, Heb. 2. 10. What is it thou fearest? Is it loss of liberty? What is liberty worth, when Conscience is in bonds? Better lose thy liberty and keep thy peace, than lose thy peace and keep thy liberty: Is it loss of Estate? Dost thou say as Amaziah, 2 Chron. 25. 9. What shall we do for the hundred Talents? I would answer with the Prophet, The Lord can give thee much more than this: He hath promised thee in this life an hundred-fold, and if that be not enough, he will give thee life everlasting, Mat. 19. 29.
