Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men
The confession of Christ here, more especially designed, does not
so much intend, though it may include, that which is less public,
and is necessary to be made by every believer in Christ: for it
is not enough to believe in him, with the heart, but confession
of him must also be made with the mouth; and which lies in
ascribing their whole salvation to him, giving him the glory of
it; declaring their faith in him to others, and what he has done
for their souls; and subjecting themselves to his ordinances, and
joining in fellowship with his church and people: which
confession, as it ought to be both by words and deeds, and to be
hearty and sincere, so likewise visible, open, and before men.
This, I say, may be included in the sense of these words; but
what they chiefly relate to, is a confession of Christ by his
ministers, in the public preaching of the Gospel; who ought
openly, and boldly, to acknowledge, and declare, that Christ is
truly and properly God, the eternal Son of God, the only mediator
between God and men, the Saviour and Redeemer of lost sinners;
through whose blood alone is the forgiveness of sins, according
to the riches of grace; by whose righteousness only men can be
justified before God; and by whose sacrifice and satisfaction sin
is only expiated; that he died for, and in the room and stead of
his people, rose again for their justification, ascended to
heaven in their name, is set down at the right hand of God, and
ever lives to make intercession for them, and will come again,
and judge both quick and dead: such a free and open confession of
Christ ought to be made by all his ministers before men, and in
spite of all the rage and opposition of earth and hell; and such
shall not fail of being taken notice of, and requited by Christ;
for he himself says,
him will I confess also before my Father which is in
heaven:
as he has a perfect knowledge of them, and bears an affectionate
love to them; so he will openly own, and acknowledge them as his
ministers, and speak in the praise and commendation of their
works and labours; though they have been performed through the
gifts, grace, and strength, which he has communicated to them: he
will introduce them into his Father's presence, and recommend
them to him, to be honoured, blessed, and glorified by him.