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§. 77. Of Gods not being ashamed of believers.
SO w•…•…ll did God approve of the foresaid desire of the Patriarchs, as he was moved thereby to give evidence of his special respect unto them. That that which follows is a recompence of the foresaid desire, is evident by this illative conjunction, a 1.1 wherefore. Thereof See Chap. 3. v. 7. §. 73.
This particle doth oft set out an evidence of a cause: as when we see trees bud, we say, therefore they have life; or when there is a smoak in the chimney, there∣fore there is fire.
Here it setteth forth a consequence of their faith, they so and so believed, there∣fore God was not ashamed of them.
By this it is evidenced, that the faith of believers is not in vain. As in sun∣dy other particulars, so in the cures which Christ wrought while he was on earth, this is manifested. But most of all in this which here followeth, God is not ashamed to be called their God. Of the word translated b 1.2 ashamed, see Chap. 2. •…•…. 11. §. 108. To speak according to the meaning of the word, God blussheth no•…•… through shame of them, as if he thought himself disgraced by them. This is spoken of God c 1.3 after the manner of man. It implyeth a joyfull acknowledge∣ment of them, as a Father of a gracious Son. The negative expression d 1.4 is not •…•…ed, hath an emphasis, and implyeth that their disposition was no matter of •…•…ace, to make God ashamed of them. The like is noted of Christ, that he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ashamed to call them brethren; Chap. 2. v. 11. §. 108. Sundry points there delivered may be here applyed.