A faint-hearted Christian described. [ 554]
SOme freshwater Souldier standing upon the shore in a fair day,* 1.1 and beholding the Ships top and top-gallant in all their bravery, riding safety at Anchor, thinks it a brave thing to go to Sea, and will by all means aboard; but being out a league or two from the Harbour, and feeling by the rocking of the Ship his sto∣mack begin to work, and grow sick, and his soul even to abhor all manner of meat; or otherwise a storm to arise, the wind and the Sea, as it were, conspiring the sinking of the Vessel, forthwith repents his folly, and makes vows, that if he but once be set ashore again, he will bid an eternal farewel to all such Voyages. And thus there be many faint-hearted Christians to be found amongst us, who in calm dayes of Peace, when Religion is not over-clouded by the times, will needs join them∣selves to the number of the people of God, they will be as earnest and as forward as the best, and who but they? yet let but a Tempest begin to appear, and the Sea to grow rougher than at the first entry, the times alter, troubles raised, many cross minds of opposition and gain-saying begin to blow,* 1.2 they are weary of their course, and will to shore again, resolving never to thrust themselves into any more adventures, they would have Christum, but not Christum crucifixum, Christ they would have by all means, but Christ crucified by no means; if the way to Heaven be by the gates of Hell, let who will, they will not go that way, but rather sit down and be quiet.