timidity ; but to intimate, that an essential difference may be found, where none externally appears ; and that God may have his " hidden ones" even among those who are as yet too much entangled by prudential considerations. It is not how- ever by such examples that we are to regulate our conduct. Our duty is clear: the heart and the mouth are to be alike consecrated unto God; the one, to exercise faith on Christ, the other, to confess him to the world : and as the mouth without the heart will be an unacceptable offering to the Lord, so also will the heart without the mouth0.]
2. Those who are suffering for confessing him —
[We are far from despising the approbation of men ; but we account it of no value, any longer than it can be enjoyed with a good conscience. That in which alone we are materially interested is, the plaudit of our God: and if only he say to us, " Well done, good and faithful servants," we need not be concerned, whatever may have been the judgment of men con- cerning us. Are any of you reproached for the sake of Christ; be not grieved, but rather rejoicep; for " it turns unto you for a testimony q." Great is the encouragement which God himself affords you in his wordr; and glorious is the prospect that awaits you at your departure hence8. Be strong then, and of good courage ; knowing, that if your faith be subjected to heavy trials at the present, " it shall be to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ1."]
0 Rom. x. 8 — 10. P 1 Pet. iv. 14. (i Luke xxi. 13.
r Isai. li. 7, 8. s Isai. lxvi. 5. l 1 Pet. i. 7.