Spiritual Peace and Comfort. 167 told themwhat is come to pals. Wonderful ! that men { hould be fo blinded by falle dottrine, as not to know that the apprehenfion of danger is made in the very fabrication of the nature of man, to be the very engine to move his foul in all ways of felf- prefervatian and falvation ! Yea it is that very fup- pofed principle, upon which all the Government of the world, and the Laws and order ofevery Nation, are grounded. We could not keep the very Bruits from tearing us in pieces, but for their own fafety : becaufe they apprehend themfelves to be in danger by it ; The fear of man is it that reftraineth them. But for this, no mans life would be in any fafety; For every malicious man would be a murderer; He that feareth not the lofs ofhis own life, is mailer of another mans. Do thefe men think that the ap- prehenfion of bodily dangers may carry them on through all undertakings, and be the potent fpring of moft of their aftions and warrant all thofe courfe that elfe would be unwarrantable, fo that they dare plead Weceffity towarrant thofe fearful things which by extenuating language (like Saull) are called Irrepularitiej ! And yet that it is unlaw- ful or unmeet for a Chriftian, yea the weakeft Chriliian, to live in any apprehenfions of danger to their fouls ? either danger of finning, or failing away, or perifhing for ever ? No wonder if fuch do fin, and fall away. and perifh Would thefe men have fought well by Sea or Land, if they had ap- prehendedno danger a. Would the earth have been fo covered with carkaffes and with blood ( yea even ofSaints) and the world filled with the dole. f 1, calamities that accompanied and have followed, . 04 a.
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