§. 43. Of the Land of Promise.
THE place where Abraham abode, is stiled the Land of promise, Of the* 1.1 word translated a 1.2 promise, see Chap. 4. v. 1. §. 6. It is called the Land of promise, because it was promised to Abraham and his Posterity, G•…•…e. 13. 15. There is an emphasis in this Hebraism b 1.3 Land of promise; It im∣plyeth more than if he had said, a promised Land. For the phrase is exclusive, and implyeth, that of all the Countryes of the World, this especially was pro∣mised: and thereupon carryeth this title, a Land of promise; As a man of was, a man of might, men excellent and eminent therein.
This being added to the aforesaid effect of Faith, sheweth, that Gods promise* 1.4 puts vigour to Faith. He did the rather abide in that Land, because God had promised to give it him. Moses doth often inculcate Gods promise, to quicken the faith of the Israelites, Deut. 6. 3. & 15. 6, 8. Iosh. 23. 5.
Gods promise being the ground of faith (as hath been proved, Chap. 6. v. 96.) it must nourish and strengthen the same.
This may inform us in one special reason of Faiths fainting, which is forget∣fulness of Gods promise, Heb. 12. 5. Psal. 116. 11. If the Oil fail, the Lamp cannot give light.
Gods promises are hereupon seriously and frequently to be meditated upon, that our Faith may continue and increase.
The emphasis of this phrase, the Land of promise, implyeth, that Gods pro∣vision* 1.5 is for the best. Though he called Abraham out of one Land, yet he brought him unto another, which for excellency sake was stiled the Land of promise.