§. 171. Of the Nature of Unbelief.
THe a 1.1 Greek Verb translated [believed not] is but one word, yet a comp•…•… word. The simple Verb signifieth b 1.2 to perswade.
c 1.3 The Preposition added to it, is privative: and imports a negative: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the fore-said d 1.4 Verb joyned to this Preposition, sets out a not yeelding, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be perswaded.
This resusal in reference to the minde of him that refuseth most properly •…•…∣eth Unbelief: but in reference to the will it intendeth disobedience, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 In the New Testament it is for the most part taken in the former sense, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lieving: yet sometimes also it is taken in the later sense for disobeying, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 translated, e 1.5 Do not obey, Rom. 2. 8. A disobedient people, Rom. 10. 21. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 2 Pet. 2. 7, 8. The Greek Fathers do also use this word, sometimes in the one, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 times in the other sense.
But other Authors do take it for the most part in the former sense, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 disobey.
I see no cause in this place to alter our last English Translation, but to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it as they do, namely thus, To them that believed not. This is most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Apostles scope, who earnestly exhorteth to take heed of unbelief, v. 12. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the word doth properly and without all question signifie unbelief. It is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 word that is used in the last verse of this Chapter: wherein the same things down, that here in this verse is.
The word here used being thus taken for such as beleeved not, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 That unbelief made the Israelites so to provoke God as to swear vengeance 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them.
The fore-mentioned notation of the word (namely, A not yeelding 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.6 swasion) addeth much to the aggravation of the sinne of unbelief. For •…•…∣sions