I Answer, That it doth not only denote the in-being of the Word (in either of the respects forementioned) that there is such a thing there, in their heart and inner man; nor barely the calling in to mind and keeping it in their memory; nor its lodging and sojourning with them as an Inn-mate, no nor as a friend that is to depart: but it notes a settled abode or dwelling in efficacious power and influence. 'Tis said of Timothy's Mother and Grandmother that Faith dwelt in them, 2 Tim. 1.5. And when the Apostle prays that the Ephesians may be strengthened, he joins this with it, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by Faith, Ephes. 3.16, 17. And 'tis said of the happy ones, who are reproached for the name of Christ, that the Spirit of God and of Glory doth rest upon them, 1 Pet. 4.14. And our Saviour tells his Disciples that there is no great things to be done, barely by being in him, unless they abide in him, and he in them, John 15. And the great thing in the Promise of the Holy Ghost was, that he should abide with them. So that the sense of this expression can signify no less than that the Word of God doth remain in them in the fullness of assurance, joy, and power, by which they are strengthened and enabled to overcome the wicked one; and what he is I am next to discover. I might here have ⟨p. 337⟩taken occasion to show how the Word of God, abiding in them doth strengthen their Faith and make them strong; as also how their strength of Faith doth contribute to their achievements and victory, but I reserve that to its proper place, and at present shall proceed, to explain the third thing in the Text which is said of these Young men, viz. that they have overcome the evil or wicked one. As to this I shall have these things to treat of, viz. to show what is meant by the evil one; what the dispute (between the wicked one and the Young men) is about; that the Young men do overcome, and how they do overcome the wicked one, &c. Of these things I shall speak in the Model and order first proposed, which brings me to the fourth Chapter.
I Answer, That it doth not only denote the in-being of the Word (in either of the respects forementioned) that there is such a thing there, in their heart and inner man; nor barely the calling in to mind and keeping it in their memory; nor its lodging and sojourning with them as an Inn-mate, no nor as a friend that is to depart: but it notes a settled abode or dwelling in efficacious power and influence. 'Tis said of Timothy's Mother and Grandmother that Faith dwelt in them, 2 Tim. 1.5. And when the Apostle prays that the Ephesians may be strengthened, he joyns this with it, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by Faith, Ephes. 3.16, 17. And 'tis said of the happy ones, who are reproached for the name of Christ, that the Spirit of God and of Glory doth rest upon them, 1 Pet. 4.14. And our Saviour tells his Disciples that there is no great things to be done, barely by being in him, unless they abide in him, and he in them, John 15. And the great thing in the Promise of the Holy Ghost was, that he should abide with them. So that the sense of this expression can signifie no less than that the Word of God doth remain in them in the fulness of assurance, joy, and power, by which they are strengthened and inabled to overcome the wicked one; and what he is I am next to discover. I might here have ⟨p. 337⟩taken occasion to shew how the Word of God, abiding in them doth strengthen their Faith and make them strong; as also how their strength of Faith doth contribute to their atchievements and victory, but I reserve that to its proper place, and at present shall proceed, to explain the third thing in the Text which is said of these Young men, viz. that they have overcome the evil or wicked one. As to this I shall have these things to treat of, viz. to shew what is meant by the evil one; what the dispute (between the wicked one and the Young men) is about; that the Young men do overcome, and how they do overcome the wicked one, &c. Of these things I shall speak in the Model and order first proposed, which brings me to the fourth Chapter.
