434 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XII.
lationistotakeplacein the presenceof the heavenlycity
and the eternalJudge and King; saying,But I say unto
you,WhosoevershallconfessMe, fyc.AMBROSE. He hasalso
wellintroducedfaith,stimulatingus to itsconfession,and
tofaithitselfHe has placedvirtueas a foundation.For as
faithisthe incentiveto fortitude,so isfortitudethe strong
Chrys. supportoffaith.CHEYS.The Lord isnotthencontentwith
in°Matt.an inwardfaith,but requiresan outwardconfession,urging
us toconfidenceand greaterlove. And sincethisisuseful
forall,He speaksgenerally,saying,Whosoevershallconfess
Me, $c.
Rom. CYRIL.Now Paul says,Ifthouwiltconfesswiththymouth
10,9' theLord Jesus,and believeinthyheartthatGod raisedHim
from thedead,thoushallbe saved. The whole mysteryof
Christisconveyedinthesewords. For we must firstcon
fessthatthe Word born of God the Father,thatis,the
only-begottenSon of His substance,is Lord of all,not as
one who had gainedHis Lordshipfrom withoutand by
stealth,but who isin truthby His natureLord, as well
asthe Father. Next we must confessthatGod raisedHim
from the dead,who was Himselftrulymade man, and suf
feredin the fleshforus; forsuch He rosefrom the dead.
Whoever thenwillso confessChristbeforemen, namely,as
God and the Lord,Christwillconfesshim beforetheangels
of God at thattime when He shalldescendwiththe holy
angelsin thegloryofHis Fatherattheend oftheworld.
EUSEB. But what willbe more gloriousthanto have the
only-begottenWord of God Himselfto bearwitnessin our
behalfatthedivinejudgment,and by His own loveto draw
forthasa recompenseforconfession,a declarationupon that
soultowhom He bearswitness.For not asabidingwithout
him towhom He bearswitness,but asdwellinginhim and
fillinghim withlight,He willgiveHis testimony.But hav
ingconfirmedthem withgood hopeby sogreatpromises,He
againrousesthem by more alarmingthreats,saying,But he
thatdeniethMe beforemen,shallbe deniedbeforetheAngela
Chrys. ofGod. CHRYS.Both incondemnationa greaterpunishmentQ 18up' isannounced,and inblessinga greaterreward; asifHe said,
Now you confessand deny,but I then,fora fargreaterre
compenseofgood and evilawaitsthem intheworldto come.