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§. 70. Of Gods Word being Quick and Powerfull.
THe first Epithete given to the foresaid Word of God, is thus translated, Quick. a 1.1 The Greek word properly signifieth living: So doth this English word quick▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sense it is opposed to dead, as quick and dead, Act. 2. 42. Thus the Verb 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, signifieth to give life, or to make to live, according to the b 1.2 notation of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Greek compound. Thus it intends a perpetuall continuance of the vigor of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ord, 1 Pet. 1. 25. Though Ministers be mortall, yet the word ever liveth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 1. 5, 6. The Participle of the present tense, living, intimateth a per∣•…•….
〈◊〉〈◊〉 Epithete quick, implieth also a stirring virtue: such a virtue as makes ano∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to stirre. To expresse this emphasis, our former English translateth it 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Thus do our last English Translators translate this Greek word in other pla∣•…•…,* 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Act 7. 38. 1 Pet. 1. 3. & 2. 5.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 is said to be quick or lively, which is active, nimble and forward in put∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that vigor or virtue which it hath: as quick-silver, quick-sands, quick∣•…•…, quick-spirited. On the other side things that have lost their vigor are said 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be dead: as dead ware.
T•…•…o especiall reasons may be given of this Epithete attributed to the word. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to shew that it is not a dead seed, but living and quick, which being sown* 1.4 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heart, either groweth and sprouteth forth therein, or else gnaweth and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up the soul and heart of man. It is in this respect called not mortall seed, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 1 Pet. 1. 23. And it is styled the word of life, Phil. 2. 16.
The other reason is to shew the effect of the Word. It putteth life and sense into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as are dead in sinne. It either begets men unto God, and so puts into them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of grace, whereby they are brought to the life of glory, (Iam. 1. 18. Ioh. 5. 25.) or else it putteth so much life into their seared conscience, as they shall sen∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the wrath and vengeance of God against them for their contempt: as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, when he laid violent hands upon himself, Matth. 27. 4, 5. Acts 1. 17, 18.
To expresse this later effect more to the full, the Apostle addeth this other Epi∣•…•…, powerfull. The Greek word so translated is a d 1.5 compound, which implieth a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 virtue.
The simple Noun signifieth e 1.6 work. The Preposition, f 1.7 IN.
The compound, a thing, g 1.8 in work, operative, effectuall. It is opposed to that which is h 1.9 idle, or unusefull, Matth. 20. 3, 6.
The word here used in this Text is translated effectuall, 1 Cor. 16. 9. Phil•…•…m▪ ter. 6.
As the former Epithete quick, implied that the word of God was not a dead let∣ter; so this, that it is not an idle or vain Word, without fruit; but effectuall, and performeth that whereunto it is appointed: whether it be to fasten or harden, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up or cast down, to justifie or condemn, to comfort or terrifie. It is like a fire to soften wax, and to harden clay.
On the one side it is said to quicken, (Psal. 119. 50.) to beget, (Jam. 1. 18.) to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 souls, (Psal. 19 7.) and to save souls, (Jam. 1. 21.)
On the other side it is said to be like an hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces, Ier. 23. 29. it is also said to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalieth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against the knowledge of God, 2 Cor. 10. 5.
The foresaid Word of God is quick and powerfull, because it is the Word of him* 1.10 that hath life in himself, (Ioh. 5. 26.) and hath power to work as it pleaseth him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 others. See §. 69.
Obj. It doth not work on all, or some, for many hear it, and are nothing moved thereby.
〈◊〉〈◊〉.
- 1. Either it entereth not into such, but is like the seed that was sown in* 1.11 the path-way, (Matth. 13. 4, 19.) or it is choaked, when it enters with some worldly lusts or cares, as the Word that was sown amongst thorns, (Matth. 13. 7, 22.)
- 2. It is sufficient for proof of the point, that it works upon some: for thereby