[116]. Thus they are four times, Luke i. 68. 2 Cor. i. 5. Eph. i. 3. and 1 Pet. i. 3. wherein ευλογητος is put before Θεος.
[117]. Dr. Owen against Biddle, page 256.
[118]. See Dr. Clarke’s reply to Nelson, page 97.
[120]. It is certain, that και is oftentimes exegetical, as well as copulative; and it appears to be so, by a great many instances in the New Testament; when it is put between two nouns, the first whereof has an article, and the other none; thus it will be acknowledged by all, that it is taken, in 2 Cor. i. 3. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ὁ Θεος και Πατηρ; so in Eph. i. 3. 2 Thes. ii. 16. 1. Pet. i. 3. Rom. xv. 6. Phil. iv. 20. 2 Cor. xi. 31. and in Col. ii. 2. In these scriptures, and others of the like nature, the Arians themselves allow that this rule holds good, though they will not allow it, when it proves our Saviour’s Deity, because it militates against their own scheme; as in Eph. v. 5. where the apostle speaks of the kingdom of Christ, and of God, as we render it; but, I think, it ought to be rendered, even of God; for it is, του Χριστου και Θεου so in 2 Thess. i. 12. The grace of our God, and, or even, of the Lord Jesus Christ, the words are, του Θεου ἡμων και κυριου Ιησου Χριστου. See among many other scriptures to the like purpose, 1 Tim. v. 21. and chap. vi. 13. 2 Pet. i. 2. It is true there are several exceptions to this rule, though they are generally in such instances, in which it is impossible for the latter word to contain an explication of the former, though, in other instances, it, for the most part, holds good; and therefore it will, at least, amount to a probable argument, that the words in this text, του μεγαλου Θεου και σωτηρος ἡμων Ιησου Χριστου ought to be rendered, of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ. Vide Granville Sharp on the Greek article, and Middleton on the same subject.
[121]. See Dr. Clark’s reply to Nelson, page 85.
[122]. The words, ὁ Κυριος and ὁ Θεος are in the nominative case, which denotes that they are not spoken in a way of exclamation.
[123]. See reply to Nelson, page 67.
[124]. Acts vii. 43. chap. xiv. 11.
[125]. See Matt. xix. 26. compared with Mark x. 27.