§. 115 Of the form of Gods Oath.
THe form of Gods Oath is not here expressed; yet, by the manner of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 down the words, it may well be understood to be some kinde of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in case he did not perform what he had threatned.
Both the a 1.1 Hebrew, and the b 1.2 Greek do thus express the Oath of God, If 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall enter. Our English doth set down the sense of the Oath, thus, They shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enter; but they do not fully expresse the emphasis of the phrase. There is an •…•…∣gant c 1.3 figure, which in English we may stile silence, whereby men conceal, and •…•…∣ter not something which may well be understood, but they are not willing to •…•…∣presse.
This is frequent in Oaths: as where Elijah saith to Ahab, As the Lord God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Israel liveth, if there be dew; 1 Kin. 17. 1. and where Zedekiah saith to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, As the Lord liveth, if I put thee to death, if I give thee into the hand of these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Jer. 38. 16. To make up the full sense, such a phrase as this may be understood, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me not be accounted true, or Repute me a liar. To like purpose, saith David, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 come into the •…•…abernach of my house: If I go up into my bed: If I give sleep to my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Psal. 132. 3. 4. So Christ, Verily I say unto you, If a sign be given unto this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on, Mark 8. 12. and God himself, Once have I sworn by my holinesse, if I lie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 David, Psal. 89. 35. And here, I sware in my wrath, if they shall enter. Here 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be understood, Let me not be accounted a God, or let me not be accounted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 As in other things, so in this.
God speaketh to men d 1.4 after the manner of man: He submitteth his truth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mans judgement. This then implies a very strong negation. A stronger cannot 〈◊〉〈◊〉 expressed.
This is to root insidelity out of mens hearts.
That which is concealed in the fore-said Oaths, being some imprecations 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ones self, sheweth, that men should be very tender of making imprecations. Here∣of, See The whole Armour of God on Ephes 6. 18. §. 55.