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

The first is [Greek or Hebrew]. It sometimes signifies Exhortation, an encouraging persuasive Exhortation. And in that sense it is here taken by some Expositors, as Theophylact, and Oecumenius. That we might have thereby a prevalent Exhortation unto Faith and Patience in Believing. But Comfort or Consolation is the most usual signification of the Word in the New Testament, as I have showed elsewhere; and that sense of the Word alone can be here intended. A Consolation it is that ariseth from the Assurance of Faith, and of our Interest thereby in the Promises of God. This is that which relieves our Souls against all Fears, Doubts, and Troubles; For it either obviates and prevents them, or it outbalanceth them, and bears up our Souls against them. For Comfort is the Relief of the mind, whatever it be, against sorrow and trouble.

The first is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. It sometimes signifies Exhortation, an encouraging perswasive Exhortation. And in that sense it is here taken by some Expositors, as Theophylact, and Oecumenius. That we might have thereby a prevalent Exhortation unto Faith and Patience in Believing. But Comfort or Consolation is the most usual signification of the Word in the New Testament, as I have shewed elsewhere; and that sense of the Word alone can be here intended. A Consolation it is that ariseth from the Assurance of Faith, and of our Interest thereby in the Promises of God. This is that which relieves our Souls against all Fears, Doubts, and Troubles; For it either obviates and prevents them, or it outballanceth them, and bears up our Souls against them. For Comfort is the Relief of the mind, whatever it be, against sorrow and trouble.

And this Consolation which God intends and designs Believers, is [Greek or Hebrew]; solamen fortissimum, forte, validum, potens. Strong, powerful, prevalent. Strong so as to be prevalent against Opposition, is that which is intended. There are Comforts to be taken, or are often taken from earthly things. But they are weak, languid, and such as fade and dye upon the first appearance of a vigorous opposition. But this Consolation is strong and prevalent against all Creature Oppositions whatever. Strong; that is, such as will abide against all Opposition. A strong Tower; an impregnable Fortress, Munition of Rocks. For it is not the abounding of Consolation in us, but the prevalency of the Causes of it against Opposition that is intended.