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§. 61. Of Confidence.
THe graces, whereby the evidence of being Christs house is manifested, are, as they are here expressed, Confidence and Hope.
The Greek word translated a 1.1 Confidence, is compounded of two words, whereof signifieth b 1.2 Speech: the other c every thing, or any thing. It is translatad some∣times boldness (Act. 4. 13.) Sometimes plainness, (2 Cor. 3. 12.) it is oft used in the Dative case adverbially, and translated c 1.3 boldly, (John 7. 26.) Openly (Mat. 8. 32.) Plainly: thus it is opposed to an obscure Proverb (Iohn 16. 25, 29.) It is al∣so used with d 1.4 a Preposition, and translated freely, Act. 2. 29.
The word is opposed to fearfulnes or shamefulnes which make men loth to utter many things which they ought to make known.
I finde it six times by our Translators interpreted Confidence: as here in this Text, and Chap. 10. 35. & Act. 28. 31. & 1 Iohn 2. 28. & 3. 21. & 5. 14.
Confidence will make a man utter his whole minde, and not be afraid nor asha∣med to publish that which he thinks meet to be made known.
The word here used hath sometimes reference to God, as Heb. 4. 16. And some∣times to man, as where it is said of the Rulers of the Iews, That they saw the boldnes of Peter and Iohn, or their Confidence, Act. 4. 13.
In this later sense it implieth a free and resolute profession of the faith. Thus do* 1.5 some here take it: and so make a constant standing to the truth, and an undaunted maintaining thereof, even unto bloud, to be an evidence that we are the house of Christ: and animated by his Spirit. This is a congruous sense, well expressing the emphasis of the Greek word. To this purpose doth this Apostle more expressely exhort, to hold fast the e 1.6 profession of our faith without wavering, Heb. 10. 23.
But most Expositors take the word here, as having reference to God, and to intend such a resting on God, and placing our trust in him (which is the nature of confidence) as it makes us boldly to go to God, and freely to pour our oue whole souls before him, as we are required, Chap. 4. 16.
In this respect they make it an effect of faith, and metonymically put it for faith it self. Thus doth this Text fitly answer another like Text, where the Apostle saith, Y•…•…u hath he reconciled, if ye continue in the faith, grounded and setled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, Col. 1. 23.
Faith may here be the more fitly intended, because it is that grace whereby we* 1.7 are united to Christ, whereby we receive spiritual life from him, and are made live∣ly stones, whereby we grow up unto an holy Temple, yea whereby Christ dwelleth in our hearts, and so we come to be his house.
This saith where it is well rooted will sprout forth. A believer will not be tongue▪tied. Faith works boldnesse of speech [See more hereof in The Saints Sa∣crifice on Psal. 116. 10. §. 67.) In this respect, Confidence, as it is here used, may comprise under it both the Cause and the Effect: both Faith and Profession. Faith is the cause of Confidence: Profession is an effect thereof. By faith we gain assu∣rance to our selves that we are Christs house: by profession of faith we give evi∣dence to others, that we are that house. Fitly therefore hath the Apostle used * 1.8 a word that compriseth both under it.
They who through fear or shame refuse to professe Christ and his Gospel: and they to whom the thought and presence of God is terrible, who dare not approach unto him, nor call him Father, but behold him as a severe Judge, have cause to suspect they are not of the house of Christ, in that they want that confidence which is here set down.
That we therefore may attain it and retain it, let us acquaint our selves with all the evidence of Gods favour that we can, and meditate on his promises, and duly weigh his properties, as his free grace, rich mercy, almighty power, infallible truth every where present, with the like: Let us go out of our selves, and behold him inviting all to come to him, and accepting all that come: thus may, thus will the soul be established, and confidence bred and preserved in it.
Of Saints confidence in professing that relation which is betwixt God and them,