An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

I shall at this time only consider the Attribute, or what is predicated of our ⟨p. 228⟩Salvation, it is effectual. The Greek word [Greek or Hebrew] is contested about. Some, especially Estius is very industrious to prove, that it should be rendered passively. Thus, which Salvation is wrought. And it is true indeed among profane Authors, the word is used passively; but in the New Testament in some places, it must needs be rendered actively. For whereas the word is used four times in the New Testament, in all which places we translate it actively; yet he contends for the passive sense, as Gal. 5. 6. Faith which worketh by love, he will have it, which is wrought by love: Whereas Vasquez granteth it may be rendered actively. So Jam. 15. 16. the [Greek or Hebrew], we translate, The effectual prayer, he would have the prayer wherein the Spirit of God doth so powerfully move us, that we are acted rather than act. Even as afterwards in the Church, those who were possessed by the Devil, were called [Greek or Hebrew]. But though in this place he may argue something probably, yet in the two other places, Ephes. 3. 20. According to the power, [Greek or Hebrew], which worketh in us. Col. 1. 29. Striving according to his working, [Greek or Hebrew], which worketh in me mightily: Here he cannot with any colour understand it passively. It is true, there is another word [Greek or Hebrew], which is in the active sense used so 1 Cor. 16. 9. Heb. 4. 15. but that doth not hinder, but that this in the middle voice may be rendered actively. Certainly though Greek Authors do not, yet the Apostle useth the verb [Greek or Hebrew], actively, as 2 Thess. 2. 13. The Mystery of iniquity worketh. For whereas the same Estius would have it passively, It is wrought, or is in agitation, that is no ways probable: for 1 Thess. 2. 13