36. But although that fable has not the
force of truth, yet it has this much to go upon, that if an upright man
could hide himself, yet he would avoid sin just as though he could not
conceal himself; and that he would not hide his person by putting on a
ring, but his life by putting on Christ. As the Apostle
says: “Our life is hid with Christ in God.” Col. iii. 3. Let, then, no one here strive to
shine, let none show pride, let none boast. Christ willed not to
be known here, He would not that His Name should be preached in the
Gospel whilst He lived on earth. He came to lie hid from this
world. Let us therefore likewise hide our life after the example
of Christ, let us shun boastfulness, let us not desire to be made
known. It is better to live here in humility, and there in
glory. “When Christ,” it says, “shall appear,
then shall we also appear with Him in glory.” Col. iii. 4.