10. A fearful man is easily moved to envy; especially when he sees those that are young acting chearfully in faith; and cries, “That is none of his business, but must be left to those of more knowledge and experience.” 11. He either himself exposes as presumptuous, stubborn, self-conceited, proud and pharisaical, those who, with a free and child-like spirit, break thro’ all opposition: or, at least, sits on the bench when they are thus condemned, and consents to the unjust sentence pronounced against them. 12. A fearful minister reproves common people boldly; but when he is to speak to great and honourable persons, his mouth is gagged. *13. The pulpit is a fearful preacher’s strong hold; but when he is to speak face to face, and to bear witness to the truth, by saying, _Thou art the man_; then he is very supple and complaisant. 14. When he hears prophane, loose, or foolish men talking, he holds his tongue; and when it comes from great men, he graces it with a smile. 15. Above all things, a fearful man, cannot abide to be singular. 16. Sometimes he desires to do something to the glory of God; but he soon confronts the thought with “What will people say?” And then fairly drops it. 17. He cautiously shuns frequent and familiar conversation with the members of Christ that are despised by the world. Or, if he be willing to converse with them by night and in secret, yet he cares not to appear with them in public. He rather appoints some certain place to meet them, where it may not be taken notice of. 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.