§. 103. Of Gods abundant blessing.
THe foresaid blessing is further amplified, by doubling the phrase, thus, blessing I will blesse. This is an Hebraisme, frequently used in the Old Testament: and it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much emphasis: for it setteth forth
- 1. The certainty of a thing: as where the the Lord saith, Seeing I have seen;* 1.1 (Exod. 3. 7.) We thus interpret it, I have surely seen.
- 2. Diligence and pains in a thing: as where the daughters of Revel said to their father concerning Moses, drawing he drew us water, (Exod. 2. 19.) that is, with great diligence, and much paines he drew water for us.
- 3. Celerity and speed in doing a thing: as where David saith, It is better that escaping I should escape, (1 Sam. 27. 1.) We thus translate it, should speedily escape.
- 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in giving a thing: as in this, Blessing I will blesse. Our former English thus translated it in this place; I will abundantly bless thee.
- 5. Success in doing a thing, or a thorow doing of it, or doing it to purpose: as where Saul saith to David, doing thou shalt do, and prevailing thou shalt prevaile; (1 Sam. 26. 25.) We thus translate it, Thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt stil prevaile.
- 6. Finishing and perfecting a thing: as where Solomon saith to God, Building I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 built thee an house, (1 King. 8. 13.) His meaning is, that he had perfectly finish∣ed it.
- 7. A wonderfull encrease of a thing, as in this phrase, Multiplying I will multiply. Our former English thus translate it, I will multiply thee marvellously.
- 8. Long continuance: as, waiting, I have waited, (Psal. 40. 1.) that is, I have long waited.
This phrase, Blessing I will blesse, gives us to understand, that blessings appertaining* 1.2 to Abraham and to his seed, are abundant blessings. God is no way scanty to the faithfull. He is exceeding bountifull to them every way. It is observable, that the Hebrew useth this word blessing, or blessed, in the * 1.3 plurall number: which, to tran∣slate word for word, signifieth blessednesse: so much is intended under the first word of the first Psalme.
More expresly doth the wise man thus set down the forementioned point, A faith∣full man shall abound with blessings, Prov. 28. 20. In this respect the Psalmist saith, The Lord daily loadeth us with his blessings, Psal. 68. 19. and the Apostle thus, God hath blessed us, with all spirituall blessings: He hath abounded towards us, &c. Eph. 1. 3, 8. To this purpose it is said, Godlinesse is profitable unto all things, having promise of the Life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4. 8.
God proportioneth his blessings according to his own greatnesse. He setteth forth his magnificence in blessing children of men.
Who would not depend upon such a Lord for blessing?
How ought we to enlarge our hearts, and open our mouthes in blessing God for so blessing us?