3 t 6 Chap. rç. AnExpofition upon the Booksof JOB. Vert: 24. ApoftlePeter fpeaks, (r Epifi. r . 7.) That the trial/ ofourfaith bring much more precious then of gold that perifheth, though it be tryed in thefire, might befound to praife, and honour, andglory,not only ( as he there faith) at the appearing ofTerns Chrifl, but in the day ofour fuffering. As we mutt not hide our talents in a nap.. kin by our idleneffe, fo we muff not hide our faith in a napkin by our fi knee ; we fhould be fo farre from being afhamed of our hope, that we fhould glory in it while we are in tribulati- on, and delire as ( with 7rb) that it might be written with a pen of iron in a Rock for durableneffe, fo that it might be writ. ten as with the beames of theSunne for light, and clearneffe. The Apof§le tells the Corinthians ; Ye are our E'hiflle written andfeeneofall men (2 Cor. 3.2. ) They held forth the faith, both in their profeflìon and practife ; they were a breathing con. ff.= offaith, a living Epifi`le, read and feen ofall, and fo fhould we be. As faith muff be made vifible by our works, Sheen me thy faith by thy works, faith the Apoftle lames: fo it mutt bemale audible by our words. There were a fort ofHeretiques fpokenofby Eufebius, who held this opinion, That there was no need for any man at any time to make open confeffìon of his faith, efpecially not in times ofdanger : Then (according to their doctrine) all might conceale and keepe their faith to- themfelves, that fo they might alfo keepe themfelves in a whole skin, and avoyd thedanger. This is, indeed, a fafe way to avoyde perfecution and tnartyrdome, but it is a fnfull way. We have juft caufe to' fufpect that their faith is dead, who thus hide and bury it. Saints are bound to profeffe their faith (when called to it) to the death, and to contend earneffly for truth what ever af- flictions and fufferings come upon them. TheApoftle reports his and the Saints troubles in thofe times for the Gofpel ; We are troubled on every fide, yet not difireffed ; we are perplexed, but not ir, difref fe ; perfecuted, but notforfaken ; alwaysbearing about in the body the dying ofthe Lord?eft/4, &c. But what did Paul ( and his fellow-Saints) in thole boyfterous and bloudy times ? did he pollitickly referve himfelfe, or hide his profef. Eton? No, he proclaimes it, as he faith the Saints of old did before, who were fpirited with the fame faith (2 Cor. 4. 13.) We having the fame fpirit of faith, according as it ù written, Etrftb. lib. 6. rap. 38.
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