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§. 118. Of the meaning of this phrase, God, thy God.
THe Authour of the annointing here mentioned, is set out very emphatically (at least as our English and some other Translators expresse it) by a rheto∣ricall* 1.1 Figure, doubling the same word in the same sense, thus, God, even thy God. Hereby it is intimated that the matter here set down is true, faithfull, and worthy of all observation and acceptation. In like manner doth the Lord set out himself* 1.2 in relation to his Church, saying, Psa. 50. 7. I am God, even thy God. This he doth that his people might take the more through notice thereof, and that their faith might be the more strengthened thereupon.
The notation of the Hebrew Title translated God, implieth God to be of might* 1.3 and power, and is by some translated the strong God.
The Hebrew Noun is of the plurall number, but the Verb annointed, to which the Hebrew Title hath reference, is of the singular number, which intimateth a plu∣rality of persons, and unity of essence.* 1.4
The Title God, as here used, in the first place, may be of the vocative case, as it is in the former verse, and translated O God; and by an Apostrophe applied to Christ; for this particle even (which is a note of apposition, joyning two words together, which have reference to one and the same thing) is neither in the He∣brew nor Greek Text; but inserted by our English Translators: In a 1.5 Hebrew, b 1.6 Greek, and c 1.7 Latine this Title is both in the Nominative and Vocative case, the very same for syllables and letters: In the Nominative case it is spoken of the Fa∣ther, as our English sets it down; In the Vocative case it is spoken to the Sonne. Many of the d 1.8 ancient Fathers and e 1.9 Pater-Expositors take it in the Vocative as spo∣ken to the Sonne.
It may be objected that thence it will follow that God is of God.
Answ. I deny not, but that it will so follow, and therein is nothing against the Orthodox faith; For the Sonne of God is very God of very God, See §. 19. In regard of his divine Essence he is very God, Rev. 4. 8. In regard of his distinct persons, as the Sonne in relation to his Father, he is of God; In this respect, as we may say, O Sonne thy Father, so O God thy God.
Besides, the Sonne of God assumed mans nature; hereby God and man became one person; Thus he is God, and God is his God: He is God in regard of his di∣vine nature, and God is his God in regard of his humane nature, yea, and in regard of both natures united in one person.
In this latter respect, as Christ is God-man God may be said to be his God three waies.
- 1. As Christs humane nature was created of God and preserved by him like o∣ther creatures.
- 2. As Christ is Mediatour he is deputed and sent of God, Ioh. 3. 34. and he sub∣jected himself to God, and set himself to do the will of God, and such works as God appointed him to do, Ioh. 4. 34. & 9. 4. In these respects also God is his God.
- 3. As Christ God▪man was given by God to be an head to a mysticall body,* 1.10 which is the Church, Eph. 5. 22. God thereupon entred into Covenant with him in the behalf of that body, Isa. 42. 6. & 49. 8. Thus is he called the Messenger, Mal. 3. 1. and Mediatour of the Covenant, Heb. 8. 6. Now God is in an especiall manner their God with whom he doth enter into Covenant▪ as he said unto Abraham, I will establish my Covenant between me and thee, &c. to be a God unto thee, &c. Gen. 17. 7. As God made a Covenant with Abraham and his Seed, so also with Christ and his Seed, which are all the Elect of God, even the whole Catholique Church▪ This is the Seed mentioned Isa. 53. 10. So as by this speciall relation betwixt God and Christ, God is his God, in Covenant with him▪ God also is in an especiall manner the God of the Elect through Christ.
This speciall relation, thy God, having reference to Christ, is under the Gospel, Gods memoriall; as under the Law this Title was The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob; For with them God made his Covenant, and in them with their Seed, Gen. 17. 7. & 26. 3, 4. & 28. 13, 14.