A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

So are we to embrace, and improve as he did the first dawnings of Divine Love and Grace. It is not full Assurance that we are first to look after, but wait for the confirmation of our Faith in compliance with what we have received; If we either value not, or improve not in thankful Obedience the first Intimations of Grace, we shall make no progress towards greater enjoyments. And in the Apostles expression of this Promise we may consider,

1. The manner of the expression. 2. The nature and concernments of the Promise it self.

In the manner of the expression there are the Affirmative particles; [Greek or Hebrew]; certe, truly. They answer only directly unto [Greek or Hebrew] in the Hebrew; but the Apostle includes ¹a respect unto what was said before, [Greek or Hebrew]; In my self have I sworn. And [Greek or Hebrew] is sometimes used for [Greek or Hebrew] that is, truly; in way of an Asseveration, Job 34. 31. [Greek or Hebrew]; which we render, Surely, it is meet to be said unto God I have born, I will not offend, and that properly. And [Greek or Hebrew] was of common use in the Greek Tongue in Assertory Oaths. So Demosthenes, [Greek or Hebrew]; He sware [Greek or Hebrew] that he would destroy Philip. The Vulgar Latin renders it by nisi, that is, [Greek or Hebrew], contrary to the sense of the Ancients, Chrysostom, Oecumenius, and Theophylact, as some of the Expositors of the Roman Church do acknowledge. But yet that manner of expression denotes a sense not unusual in the Scripture. For there is an Intimation in it of a reserved Condition rendering the saying ensuing a most sacred Oath. Unless I bless thee, let ⟨p. 137⟩