The silent Christian is the sound Christian. [ XCV]
WHat a noise do the poor souls make in the streets of London,* 1.1 when they cry their commodities? each telleth what he hath, and would have all hearers take notice of it; and yet (God wot) it is but poor stuff they make such an out∣cry about: You cannot hear of any of the rich penny-fathers talk of the mony-baggs that they have in their chests, or what treasures of rich wares the Merchant hath in his Warehouse; altum silentium, not a word of that; every man rather desires to hide his wealth,* 1.2 and when he is urged, is ready to dissemble his ability. No other∣wise is it in the true spirituall riches, he that is full of true saving grace, and good works, affects not to make shew of it to the world, but rests sweetly in the comforts of a good conscience,* 1.3 and the silent applause of God's Spirit, witnessing with his own. Whiles on the contrary, a venditation of our own worth, or parts, or merits, argues a miserable indigence in them all.