The Christian in Complete Armor - Choice Extracts!

Preach without fear of man. There is nothing more unworthy than to see a
people bold to sin — and the preacher afraid to reprove them. It is said of
Tacitus, that he took the same liberty to write the emperors' lives, that they
took in leading them.
Man-pleasing is both endless and needless. If you would, you could not
please all; and if you could, there is no need, if you please Him who can turn
all their hearts and bind their hands. They speed best, that dare be faithful.
Jonah was afraid of his preaching work: O, he dared not go to such a great
city with such a sad message: to tell them that they would be destroyed, was
to set them at work to destroy him that brought the news; but how near was
he to losing his life, by running away to save it?
Jeremiah seemed the only man likely to lose his life by his bold preaching;
yet he had fairer quarter at last, than the smooth preachers of his time.
Just so, if you are free and bold, you may, indeed, be mocked by some — but
you will be reverenced by more. Yes, even those who wag their heads at you
— carry that in their conscience that which will make them fear you. They
are the flattering preachers, who become base among the people (Mal. 2:9). It
is not wisdom to provoke the judge, by flattering the prisoner.
Where one says, How shall I do this and sin against God? — Many in their
hearts say, How shall I do this and anger man? Herod feared John — and did
many things; had he feared God — he would have labored to have done
everything.
Fall to the work God which sets you about, and you engage His strength for
you. "The way of the Lord is strength." Run from your work — and you
engage God's strength against you; He will send some storm or other after
you to bring home His runaway servant. How often has the coward soldier
been killed in a ditch, or under some hedge — when the valiant soldier who
stood his ground and kept his place, got off with safety and honors?
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