§. 72. Of Christians professing their hope.
THe foresaid profession being here applyed to hope, sheweth that profession is to be made of that hope which is in one. That profession which useth to be made in baptisme, implyeth as much. This is implyed under this phrase, the answer of a g•…•…d conscience towards God, 1 Pet. 3. 21. Such a profession was that which David made, Psal. 119. 46. and Paul, Act. 24. 14. So much is testified of Christ himself, 1 Ti•…•…. 6. 13. We are expresly enjoyned to be ready alwayes to give an answer to e∣•…•…ry man, that asketh a reason of the hope that is in us, 1 Pet. 3. 15.
- 1. This is stiled a good profession, 1 Tim. 6. 12. It is good in the kind of it.* 1.1
- 2. Tis an evidence of the Spirits aboad in us, 1 Iohn 4. 2.
- 3. It is an evidence of salvation, Rom. 10. 9, 10.
- 4. It stirs up others to praise God, 2 Cor. 9. 13.
- 5. Christ will make profession of such, in the great day, when his profession will stand us in most stead, Matth. 10. 32. Hereby it appeareth that they bring irrepa∣rable dammage to their own soules, who through fear, or▪ shame, forbear to make profession of that hope, which is in them: as Nicodemists, Neutralists, time-servers▪ and such as think they may be saved in any religion: yea, and such as by weaknesse of spirit are brought to deny truth against their conscience, as Peter, and they that forsook Paul, Matth. 26. 70. 2 Tim. 4. 16. Thus God is dishonoured, the Gospell disgraced, mens consciences wounded, weak Christians discouraged, strong ones of∣f•…•…ded, and enemies emboldned.