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ANNOTATIONS UPON THE Epistle of PAUL the Apostle, to the EPHESIANS.* 1.1 (Book Ephesians)
CHAP. I.
Vers. 1. TO the Saints] 1. They were all Saints by outward profession. 2. There were many true Saints, the better part giveth the deno∣mination; Wine and Water is called Wine.
Ephesus] This was a mother City in lesser Asia, famous for Idolatry, Conjuring, as the Acts of the Apostles testifie; so given to all ryot, that it banished Hermodorus because he was an honest sober man: yet here God had his Church. It was neer the Sea, given to merchandize, ample and rich. Bayne.
Vers. 3. Blessed be the Lord God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, who hath blessed us, &c] Blessing is applied,* 1.2
First, to God; and signifies,
- 1. To consecrate to an holy use, Gen. 2.3.
- 2. To enrich with favours, as here, and Acts 3.26.
Secondly, to man; who is said to blesse God when he prayeth unto him, or prai∣seth him for his mercy, as here, and Matth. 14.19. & 26.26. Psalm 103.1. & 104.1. & 115.18. Luke 1.68.
Blessed] That is, praised.
Who hath blessed us] That is, enriched us with all blessing or grace.
With all Spirituall blessings] In the originall it is in the singular number,* 1.3 with all spirituall blessing; all, and yet but one blessing: to note, that Spirituall blessings are so knit together that they all make up but one blessing.
Blessings may be said to be Spirituall three waies: 1. When they are blessings be∣stowed on mens Spirits; when their soules prosper. 2. When they are wrought, not in a naturall way, but by the Spirit of God. 3. When they tend to a Spirituall end. 2 Chron. 17.2, 3. Spirituall blessings are the chiefest, 1. Because they are the blessings of Gods right hand. 2. Come from his choyce love. 3. Because they are blessings of the spirit and soule. 4. Because of their conjunction; where God gives one Spirituall blessing, he gives all.
In heavenly places] or things; places is not in the Originall. In Heavenlies. This word is used five times in this Epistle, Verse 20. of this Chapter,* 1.4 2, 6.3, 10. and 6.12. on which last place see Dr. Gouge.