2. The Apostle expresseth his Judgement concerning these Hebrews, We are persuaded better things of you, and such as accompany Salvation; wherein we have 1(1) The Act of his mind in this matter, [Greek or Hebrew], we are persuaded, Chrysostom insists much on the force of this word. The Apostle, as he observes, doth not say we think or we hope, but he was fully persuaded. He lets them know that he was fully satisfied in this matter. And he useth not this word any where in his Epistles, (as he useth it often) but he intends a full and prevalent persuasion. Now this a man may have in spiritual things on three grounds. (1) By especial Revelation; so he was certain of the truth of the Gospel that was revealed unto him which he discourseth of, Gal. 1. 7, 8. (2) By the Evidence of Faith when any thing is believed on grounds infallible, namely, the Revelation of the mind of God in the Scripture, or the Promises of the Gospel. So he useth this word, Rom. 8. 34. [Greek or Hebrew], for I am persuaded that neither Death nor Life, &c. This he believed, and had an infallible certainty thereof, because God hath so promised. So also, 2 Tim. 1. 12. [Greek or Hebrew], I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him. He useth the same Expression in matter of Faith, Rom. 14. 14. (3) There is a certain persuasion of mind, that is founded on moral Arguments, such as may bring a man to a full satisfaction in his mind, but yet so, as it is possible he may be deceived. Of this Nature is that persuasion, that Trust or Confidence which we have of the good condition of other men. So our Apostle speaks of Timothy and his Faith, 2 Tim. 1. 5. The Faith that dwelt in thy Mother Eunice, [Greek or Hebrew], and I am persuaded in thee also. He was not persuaded of any sincere Faith in Timothy by especial Revelation, nor was it the object of his Faith from any express word of Scripture, but he was satisfied in it upon such unquestionable Grounds and Motives as left no room for doubt about it. Some urge to the same purpose, Phil. 1. 6. [Greek or Hebrew], being confident of this very thing, persuaded of it, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it to the day of Christ.
2. The Apostle expresseth his Judgement concerning these Hebrews, We are perswaded better things of you, and such as accompany Salvation; wherein we have 1(1) The Act of his mind in this matter, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, we are perswaded, Chrysostome insists much on the force of this word. The Apostle, as he observes, doth not say we think or we hope, but he was fully perswaded. He lets them know that he was fully satisfied in this matter. And he useth not this word any where in his Epistles, (as he useth it often) but he intends a full and prevalent perswasion. Now this a man may have in spiritual things on three grounds. (1) By especial Revelation; so he was certain of the truth of the Gospel that was revealed unto him which he discourseth of, Gal. 1. 7, 8. (2) By the Evidence of Faith when any thing is believed on grounds infallible, namely, the Revelation of the mind of God in the Scripture, or the Promises of the Gospel. So he useth this word, Rom. 8. 34. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, for I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life, &c. This he believed, and had an infallible certainty thereof, because God hath so promised. So also, 2 Tim. 1. 12. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, I know whom I have believed, and am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him. He useth the same Expression in matter of Faith, Rom. 14. 14. (3) There is a certain perswasion of mind, that is founded on moral Arguments, such as may bring a man to a full satisfaction in his mind, but yet so, as it is possible he may be deceived. Of this Nature is that perswasion, that Trust or Confidence which we have of the good condition of other men. So our Apostle speaks of Timothy and his Faith, 2 Tim. 1. 5. The Faith that dwelt in thy Mother Eunice, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and I am perswaded in thee also. He was not perswaded of any sincere Faith in Timothy by especial Revelation, nor was it the object of his Faith from any express word of Scripture, but he was satisfied in it upon such unquestionable Grounds and Motives as left no room for doubt about it. Some urge to the same purpose,
- 1[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
