5. Whence should we take this Confidence as to walk with §. 39. Heb. 12. 31. God; even our God, who is a consuming fire? Was there not such a dread upon his people of old, that it was taken for granted among them, that if they saw God, at any time, it was not to be endured, they must dye? Can any but with extreme horror, think of that dreadful appearance, that he made unto them of old upon Mount Sinai; until Moses himself who was their Mediator, said I exceedingly fear, and quake Heb. 12. 21. and all the people said, let not God speak with us, least we dye Exod. 20. 19. Nay though men have apprehensions of the Goodness and kindness of God, yet upon any discovery of his Glory, how do they tremble and are filled with dread and astonishment? Hath it not been so with the choicest of his Saints, Heb. 3. 16. Isa. 6. 5. Job. 42. 5, 6. whence then, should we take to our selves this boldness to walk with God? This the Apostle will inform us in Heb. 10 19. it is by the blood of Jesus; so Ephes. 3 12. in him we have boldness; and access with confidence, not standing a far off, like the people at the giving of the Law, but drawing nigh to God with boldness, and that upon this account. The dread and terror of God, entered by sin. Adam had not the least thought of hiding himself until he had sinned. The guilt of sin being on the Conscience, and this being a common notion left in the hearts of all, that God is a most Righteous revenger thereof; this fills men with dread and horror at an apprehension of his presence, fearing that he is ⟨p. 124⟩come to call their sins to remembrance. Now the Lord Jesus by the Sacrifice and the Atonement that he hath made, hath taken away this Conscience of sin; that is, a dread of revenge from God, upon the account of the guilt thereof. He hath removed the slaying sword of the Law, and on that account gives us great boldness with God; discovering him unto us now, no longer as a revenging Judge, but as a tender, merciful, and reconciled Father, Moreover, whereas there is on us by nature a Spirit of Bondage, filling us with innumerable tormenting fears, he takes it a way, and gives us the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father, & behave our selves with Confidence and gracious boldness as Children: for where the Spirit of God is, there is Liberty 2 Cor. 3. 17.
5. Whence should we take this Confidence as to walke with §. 39. Heb. 12. 31. God; even our God, who is a consuming fire? Was there not such a dread upon his people of old, that it was taken for granted among them, that if they saw God, at any time, it was not to be endured, they must dye? Can any but with extreame horrour, think of that dreadfull appearance, that he made unto them of old upon Mount Sinai; untill Moses himself who was their Mediator, said I exceedingly feare, and quake Heb. 12. 21. and all the people said, let not God speake with us, least we dye Exod. 20. 19. Nay though men have apprehensions of the Goodnesse and kindnesse of God, yet upon any discovery of his Glory, how doe they tremble and are filled with dread and astonishment? Hath it not been so with the choisest of his Saints, Heb. 3. 16. Isa. 6. 5. Job. 42. 5, 6. whence then, should we take to our selves this boldnesse to walke with God? This the Apostle will informe us in Heb. 10 19. it is by the blood of Jesus; so Ephes. 3 12. in him we have boldnesse; and accesse with confidence, not standing a farre off, like the people at the giving of the Law, but drawing nigh to God with boldnesse, and that upon this account. The dread and terrour of God, entred by sinne. Adam had not the least thought of hiding himselfe untill he had sinned. The guilt of sinne being on the Conscience, and this being a common notion left in the hearts of all, that God is a most Righteous revenger thereof; this fills men with dread and horrour at an apprehension of his presence, fearing that he is ⟨p. 124⟩come to call their sinnes to remembrance. Now the Lord Jesus by the Sacrifice and the Attonement that he hath made, hath taken away this Conscience of sinne; that is, a dread of revenge from God, upon the account of the guilt thereof. He hath removed the slaying sword of the Law, and on that account gives us great boldnesse with God; discovering him unto us now, no longer as a revenging Judge, but as a tender, mercifull, and reconciled Father, Moreover, wherereas there is on us by nature a Spirit of Bondage, filling us with innumerable tormenting feares, he takes it a way, and gives us the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father, & behave our selves with Confidence and gracious boldnesse as Children: for where the Spirit of God is, there is Liberty
