But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Ver. 8. But the fearful] Cowardly recreants, white livered milk sops, that pull in their horns for every pile of grass that toucheth them, that are afraid of every new step, saying as Caesar at Rubicon, "Yet we may go back;" that follow Christ afar off, as Peter; that tremble after him, as the people did after Saul, 1 Samuel 13:7, and the next news is, "They were scattered from him," 1 Samuel 13:11. These lead the ring dance of this rout of reprobates; and are so hated of Christ, that he will not employ them so far as to break a pitcher, or to bear a torch, Judges 7:3,7 .
And unbelieving] Therefore fearful, because unbelieving, for faith fears no fray bugs; a but why do ye fear, ye little faiths? saith our Saviour.
a An object of fear; a bogy, spectre. ŒD