The Worlds Resurrection, Section 61 – Section 70
Verse. 24.How much more shall they that are by nature be grafted in their owne Oliue tree.
Doctr.We must hope well of their conuersion and saluation, that yet remaine in the couenant of God, and bee of the blessed seed, albeit they for the times past, and the present instant (generally) remaine in vnbeliefe and contempt of Christ.Psal. 8.9. v. 33 & 34.
The first reason hereof is, because Gods couenant with his elect is perpetuall, vnchangeable, and extendeth it …elfe to a thousand generations, and therefore must needs be accomplished in them. Psal. 103.17. & 18. The second reason is drawne frō the power & practise of God, in effecting and bringing to passe greater and more vnlikely things, such as was the conuersiō of the Gentiles who neuer were Gods peculiar people & nation, nor the sonnes of Abrahā (before their conuersion to Christ) nor chosen of God, as the Iewes were: & therfore much more can he & will (in his good time) bring home the erring and wandring Iewes, his owne peculiar people.
Vse. Let vsus by due contemplation & pondering of the workes of Gods omnipotencie in greater matters, not doubt of it in ye performance of lesser matters. As for exā ple, can & could God make all ye world of nothing? could he destroy Senacheribs army in one night by one Angel, & cannot he in time when he pleaseth, confound & destroy Romish Babell, by his Almighty power, and by such an infinit hoast of his creatures which he hath alwaies ready at command?
The first part of diuision of the Chapt. v. 25. ad. 33.
For I would not Bretheren that yee should be ignorant of this secret (least yee should be wise in your selues) that partly obstinacie i… …ome to Israell,25. verse. vntill the fulnesse of the Gentiles be come in.
And so shall all Israel be saued, as it is written, the deliuerer shall come out of S…ion,26. verse. and shall turne away (defections) or vngodlinesse from Iacob.
And this is my couenant to them,27. verse. when I shall take away their sinnes.
I would not hauehave you ignorant of this mystery: Paraph.id est, of this secret and hidden thing; which hetherto hath beene vncredible to the Iewes, I will bring it now into your remembrance: least you should be wise in your selues. i. least you be wise in your owne eyes, and so prowd and arrogant, that partly: in respect of some persons, and for a time and in a sort, but not altogether: obstinacy, i. hardnesse of heart and vnbeleefe: is come to Israell, to the Iewes or people of Israell, vntill the fulnesse of the Gentiles bee come in. i. as it were the whole body of the Gentiles. So that no nation shall be left out, and though they bee neuer so barbarous, as they of America, amongst whom it is to be thought, that some of the Apostles Disciples preached or (at the least) that the same & sound of the Gospell might easily be brought to them from other famous and populous places, or else if so bee that not so much as the fame and sound of the holy Gospell hath come vntounto these barbarous people & countries, yet it is agreeable to Christs generall promise. Math. 24.14. that they shall in succession of time heare of it and hauehave it, especially when other parts of the world hauehave declared themselues vnthankfull for it and vnworthy of it (as all the Easterne parts hauehave done, and therefore hauehave iustly lost the Gospell) which shall not successiuely, and (at least for a time) embrace the Gospell, shall enter into the Church and bee conuerted. And so when the fullnesse of the Gentiles and Iewes are entred into the church, …ll Israell. i. all the Elect, or the whole body of the people of Israel then liuing or the fulnesse of them, as verse 12. that is the greatest part of them, shalbe saued. i. by the preaching of the Gospell be effectually called, and iustified by faith in Christ. The deliuerer shall come out of Sion, 2 Corint. 3. v. 16.the Redeemer and Messias shall open the eyes of their vnderstanding, and take away from them the vaile of Moses, and shal turne away vngodlinesse from Iacob. i. shall forgiue pardon, and iustifie by faith the posterity of Iacob.
Ver. 27This is my couenant to them. i. this shalbe my couenant, I will receiue them againe into my couenant, from which before through vnbeleife they had fallen, when I shall take away their sinnes. i. I shall pardon them all their sinnes for Christ his sake, and adopt them to be my sonnes, and so they shall testifie their thankefulnesse to the Sonne of God, by confession of his name and by true Godlinesse.
Verse 25.Q. When is likely to be the time of the Iewes conuersion, before ye sacking & burning of Rome or afterward?
A. In all probability it is like to follow the burning and destruction of Rome, for then the stumbling blocks yt the Papists offer them, by their imagery, inuocation of Saints, Latine seruice, and abhominable and most senselesse transubstantiation, shalbe remoued & taken away.
Secondly (as it apeareth in the 18. and 20. cap. of Iohns Apocalips, (there shalbe some reasonable distance of time betweene the burning of Rome and the end of the worlde, in which it is most consonant to truth that the Iewes shalbe called, for their conuersion in the last generall signe & fore-runner of Christs second comming so far forth as the scripture reuealeth vntounto vsus.
2. Q. Whether shall the Iewes recouer the holy land againe or not, and be all conuerted and dwell their; seeing that it is said their deliuerer shall come out of Sion; or must wee thinke rather they shalbe conuerted in the Countries in which they dwell, and into which they are dispersed or shall then be found inhabiting?
Ans. They are likely neuer to recouer it, for they hauehave no such promise, neither hauehave they any possiblity of meanes to compasse it. Secondly Christes comming vntounto them shall not be visible but spirituall, not from the Earthly Sion, which long sithence hath bene made desolate, but from his spirituall Sion of his Catholike Church.
Lastly it is most probable and likely that they shal bee conuerted in those countries into which they are dispersed, and in which they hauehave their residence.
For first we hauehave some smal beginnings (here & there) of it. Secondly they shall better and sooner by by their zeale and example reuiue the faith of ye Gentiles beeing mixed and conuersant with them, and liuing amongst them there, then if they should dwel and be contained all in one country.
What is meant by the fulnesse of the Gentiles?Vers. 25. What that the whole world shall at one time euer bee inlightned and conuerted, or that onelyonly th…se countries, that formerly either had not the Gospell at all, or (at least) in very small measure shall be called?
Ans. It cannot be vnderstood of an vniuersall inlightning of the whole world at the time of the Iewes conuersion:Act. 1.8. Colos. 1.6. Rom. 10.18. For in the Apostles times the Gospell was generally preached vntounto all the knowne and inhabited nations of the world. Colos. 1.23.
But that the Gospell should now the second time bee divulged and published ouer the whole world, wee hauehave neither reason, Scripture, nor commission, for it. For first Apostolicall callings and gifts (which are necessary for so great a worke) are many hundred yeares sithence ceased. Secondly at Christs comming there shall bee almost no faith that is sound Doctrine and zeale left vppon the earth,Luk. 18. v▪ 8. and yet Christs comming will follow soone after the calling of the Iewes. Thirdly it may be, that the Gospell may bee reulued in many kingdomes and countries where it was planted long before, and especially in and nearer the places wherein the Iewes hauehave and shall hauehave there residence and habitation at there generall calling, but it shall not be generall, much lesse vniuersall. They therefore that looke for an vniuersall preaching, many sooner behold Christ comming in the clouds, then hauehave their expectation satisfied.
Que…. Is the fulnesse of the Gentiles yet come in?
Ans. Albeit diuers thinke so, and especially because they see no conuersion of any other countries of late times, nor any certaine probability of it: yet it is much to be hoped for, and not without rashnesse to be presumed,Kecker…nan, sist. theol. page 104.105.106. that the Gospell remaineth in his season to be preached to America, seeing that it is the greatest part of the world, and neuer in times past had nor heard of it, and seeing that the very Iesuits that are sent thither make (perhaps) some enterance and passage, for more sincere peaching and doctrine to be published and spread there, by such sund protestants, whether English, Dutch or others, that vse to trauell thither and backe againe with most prosperous nauigations. Likwise it is to be thought that the Gospell shalbe preached to the East Indies (if they neuer heard of it before,) or else at least reuiued as it hath beene in diuers other countries and kingdomes sucessiuely. For (albeit) some of the auncient hauehave both reported & recorded that S. Thomas and S. Bartholome… the Apostles preached there; yet no monument, signes and remembrances of it are now there extant or remayning.
What is ment by all Israel.
Whether the whole body of ye Iewes (as many take it) or ye Catholick Church to be gathered of Iewes & Gentiles
Ans. Specially and properly here is ment the whole body of the Iewes in generall, and of whom the Apostle directly speaketh, but not eueryevery seuerall and singular person of them.
Secondly it is opposed to a remnant or part, therefore it must needs signifie the greatest number or a very great multitude.
Qu…. The deliuerer shall come to Sion (as in the Hebrew context) or The deliuerer shall come out of Sion or from Sion, as Paul applieth it) how can or may these two scriptures be reconciled?
Ans. We must distinguish of the times vntounto which the Prophet Isaiah and the Apostle Paul had respect, and so we shall more easily cleare the difference:Iunius in Paralle…is. Isaiah pointeth at the very moment of the time that was then to come, but Paul passing from Christ his comming vntounto other things that follow it, saith, he shall come from Sion .i. out of his Church for the good and comfort of it. So that Paul doth not take vponupon him the office of an interpreter, but applieth it to his time, and who can dislike or gainsay it?
Ques. Shall this comming be corporall or spirituall.
Ans. It cannot now be corporall, for the heauens must containe him vntill the daies of iudgment,Acts. 3.2…. ergo it must needs be spirituall, by the Preaching of the Gospell.
Obi. But saluation came not to the Iewes at the first comming of Christ therefore he must needs come to conue…t them at his second comming, visibly?
Ans. Saluation came by his first comming, but not altogether at one time and in one age, but in diuers successions of times and ages, for he must saue his people to the worlds end.
I would not hauehave you ignorant of this mistery.
Mistery here importeth a thing vnknowne vntounto men or not sufficiently vnderstood of them.
The Doctrine then is this,Doctr. Math. 16.17. that flesh and bloud cannot vnderstand Gods counsailes (as appeareth in the Iewes that thought that because they were borne of Abrahams seede, therefore the blessing and benefits of the Messias did belong to them alone) neither can Carnall wisdome or mens naturall conceipt,Math. 11.25. know and vnderstand God and heauenly things. 1. Cor. 2.14.
The reason hereof is because the knowledge and apprehension hereof is supernaturall, and proceedeth onelyonly from the illumination of the holy spirit which is often called by Saint Paul… the Reuelation of the misterie. Rom: 16.25. Ephes. 3 V. 3.9.
Vse. 1. The vse hereof is first to teach vsus (if we would finde out and know diuine misteries) to deny our selues and our owne naturall wisdome, and submit and subiect our selues and senses to bee taught and instructed by the word and spirit of God, for God hideth the knowledge of his secrets from the wise and prudent of the world, and reuealeth them to Babes, and so it is his good pleasure. Math: 11.25.
Vse. 2. Wee must vse all holy meanes, as dilligent search, attention, comparing place with place, consulting the Originall, conference with our Pastors and godly brethren, hearing and reading, earnest and continuall prayer. For then if the matter directly concerne our saluation, God will reueale it vntounto vsus, or if it be not so necessary, if God reueale it not … wee must bee content, and reuerence that wee know not, and rest vntill GOD giuegive farther knowledge and vnderstanding.
That you should not be wise in your owne conceipt.
Doctr.The cause of stubbornesse and obstinacie which breedeth and begetteth absurd and rebellious opinions in vsus, is, that men will bee wise of them-selues, and will not seeke to vnderstand and know heauenly misteries by dilligent search and examination of the Scriptures, and by reuelation of Gods spirit, which is the only meane to vnderstand them, but they either wholy neglect them,Iohn. 3.4. or else measure them by their sense and imagination which is shallow and will deceiue them. Isai. ….21. 1 Cor. 2.14.
The reason hereof is, because they want GODS spirit and humilitie to guide and direct them, without which all other meanes are vaine and without force.Psal. 25.9.
Vse. 1. The first vse hereof, serueth to condemne the badnes and madnes of many not only Papists, but others in many countries, who because they wil not be thought to erre, will stiffly maintaine grosse, false and absurd opinions, as wee hauehave many Lutherans, Schismatikes; Sectaries, temporising flatterers for instances.
1. Vse. Let vsus not measure this misterie of the Iewes conuersion by sence and reason, but by faith, and seeing it is a misterie yet that it is (in respect of the forme and manner of their conuersion) not common or ordinary; let vsus not bee curious to diue and discend farther into particulars then Gods word, or (at least) very probable arguments, not contrarying the same wil warrant, but rest in expectation vntill the time come, and in the interim helpe them by our praiers, and further them by our zealous and holy example.
Obstinacie is partly come to Israell, that is, it is not vniuersall nor perpetuall: and so all Israell shal be saued.
SEeing that the Iewes are not altogether reiected, but that there is alwaies a remnant remayning, as appeareth by the first member, and thè experience of all ages iustifieth: & especially seeing yt al Israel .i. the greatest part and number of that nation, are to be called and conuerted, we must not rashly either contemne, much lesse condemne the Iewes,Doctr. nor expell them out of our Coastes and countries, but hope well of them, pray for them, and labour to win them by our holy zeale and Christian example.
The first reason hereof is, there are some of them called and conuerted in all ages, which are a preludium and fore-runner of the conuersion of the rest.
Secondly they are the faithfull keepers and preseruers of the old Testament. Rom: 9.4. Rom: 3. V. 2.
Thirdly they in respect of the time past: Viz: since Christ his ascention vntill this day, doe (in a sort) confirme the Christian faith, seeing that the iudgement of God is come vponupon many of them to the full,1. Thes. 2.15.16. & that they suffer those things which the Prophets threatned to the enemies of the Messias.
Fourthly, amongest vsus Christians scarce one of a hundred answereth his holy profession, and therefore we hauehave little reason to insult ouer the Iewes, that are so faulty our selues.
Lastly, the great plenty and exceeding number of them: for in Asia and Affrica (to omit diuers places of Europe) there are infinite numbers of them, who when they shalbe conuerted, shall both in respect of themselues and vsus Gentiles be the reuiuing and the resurrection of the world, must keepe vsus from rash censuring of them.
Vse. Christian Princes and Potentates, must take order that the Iewes amongest them, may by degrees bee taught true religion, yea they should force them to heare the Gospell, and not leaue the miserable soules in perpetuall darknesse, that they eueryevery day grow worse, and more wilfull in their errour.
Secondly they must by seuerity of lawes and punishment curbe and moderate their vnmeasurable vsuries, whereby they much damnifie and impouerish Christian men.
Vse 2. Let the people amongst whom these Iewes liue and dwell, beware least by their pride and cruelty they doe not hinder their conuersion, for were it not for this, doubtlesly in many places many more Iewes then now are, would be moued and drawne to embrace the Gospell.
As it is written.
Doct. Isay 9. ve. 6. & 7.All the great and memorable workes of God, such as is the incarnation of Christ, his life, Doctrine, miracles, death, the reiection of the Iewes, the calling of the Gentiles, the rising reuealing and fall of Antichrist, the generall persecution and state of the last times, the resurrection of the body, the last iudgment, are fore-told of God in holy scripture. Ezek. 11.37. Rom. 9. Rom. 15.4. Ioh. 20.31. Apoc. 9. and 17.18.
The reason hereof is, because they are very necessary for the confirmation of our faith, & direction of our liues, and therfore God would not hauehave vsus in any wise ignorant of them, much lesse to doubt of the truth of them.
Secondly, God would hereby shew and declare the sufficiency of the scriptures, and so (consequently) warne and lesson vsus that we giuegive no credit to bee ruled by any fained reuelation or humaine traditions in matter of saluation, but only consult and search the scriptures, which containe a plaine, perfect and all sufficient doctrine, both for faith manners and for sauing of our soules.
Vse 1. The first vse is to condemne, partly, the supine and merueilous negligence, and extreame slouthfulnesse of them that know not such necessary and fundamentall points, and principall conclusions so euidently and so oftentimes spoken of, and vrged in the sacred scriptures, or the vnexcusable vnbeleife and Atheisme of those that will not beleeue such plaine places and proofes of Gods word, but say or (at least) thinke that the scriptures are vntrue, the fables or the politicke inuentions of men to keepe and r…taine men in some feare and awe. These are the Marchiuillians (matchlesse in euil) of our times.
Vse. 2. We must neuer stagger …, or doubt of them, neither at any time cal the certainty and accomplishment thereof in question,2 Tim. 3.16.17. Ioh. 20.31 but rest in them, and repaire, strengthen and quicken our faith by them, for to this end were they giuen.
As it is written.
Ministers and preachers must le…rne hence,Doctr. not to broach and vtter their owne conceits, or the inuentions of men,Ier. 23.2… but to speake and preach the holy and wholsome word of God only. Luk 4.11.20. Isa. 8.20. Act. 26.22.
Reasons hereof are, first God so requireth and commandeth. Ioh. 4. Isa. 8.20. Ier. 2.
Secondly the word of God is for all and in all points that concernes faith and good life, of and in it selfe perfectly sufficient 2. Tim. 3.16. and 17. so that it neither admitteth addition nor detraction.
Thirdly we hauehave for our light and direction the continuall practise of all the Prophets and men of God in the olde Testament:Luk. 24 27. Acts. 26.22. and of Christ, the Apostles and Euangelists in the new.
Fourthly, the often and vnsauorie and vnfruitfull blending and addition of humaine vanities, doth but darken and diminish the power, puritie and efficacie of Gods word.2. Cor. 2.16.
Vse 1. Hereby are condemned first the Papists, that will not admitte and allow the Scripture to bee the sole and all sufficient rule and touch-stone of Doctrine and faith, but adde and equall to it their decretalls, traditions &c.
Luke. 8.18.Secondly, the hearers must take heed how and what they heare, they must try the spirits and doctrines by the touch-stone of Gods word & spirit, and then retaine the good,1. Thess. 5.21. and if ought be dissonant from the sacred scripture they must refuse and reiect it.
The Deliuerer shall come out of Sion: Christ the Redeemer.
Doct….Seeing that the Iewes, and so all we Gentiles hauehave need off and hauehave giuen vntounto vsus of God, not onelyonly for our temporall, but especially for our eternall deliuerance and saluation, a Deliuerer and a Redeemer, we see what wretched and miserable sinners we are by nature,Titus. 3. v. 3. children of wrath, lost sheepe. Math. 15.24. Vassals, captiues and slaues vnderunder sinne and Sathan. Luke 4. V. 18. Lying and liuing in the shadow and point of death. Ephes. 2.2. and for feare of the second or eternall death, al our life subiect to bondage. Hebr. 2.15.
The reason hereof is, for that all men without this Deliuerer and Redeemer (to omit their temporall miseries and malladies) are in farre worser estate then any brute beast or vgly toad, or any other vilde creature, for when it dieth, his life and woe endeth together with it: but the death of man without a Redeemer, and without faith in him, is but the beginning of vncessant and euerlasting terror and torment.
Vse. Let vsus labour to feele and finde our selues to bee thus wretched and miserable, and acknowledge that without Christ his suffering and obedience we euerlastingly perish,Daniel 9.6 1 Tim. 1. v. 15 we must from a touched heart acknowledge that shame and confusion belongeth vntounto vsus, that of sinners we are the greatest, and therefore wee must intreate the Lord to be merciful vntounto vsus, & to receiue vsus into his grace and fauour. And therefore it standeth vsus in hand carefully to labour and endeauour that Sathan doe not fore-stall, bewitch and possesse our hearts with his deceites and illusions,Isay 55. v. 2 and so take all sense of our miseries from vsus wherein they must needes pine and perish that seeke any other by-waies or shifting euasions.
Vse 2. Wee must in time seeke vntounto Christ onelyonly for helpe, for pardon of sinnes and for saluation, he hath eternall life in himselfe, and is author of eternall saluation, to all that obey him, and for our better direction herein, we must craue and desire the instructions,Ca…. …. v. 1.2 aduise and assistance, not only of our pastors and ministers, but also of our Christian and beloued friends and acquaintance.
And shall turne away (desections) and vngodlinesse from Iacob.
It is the proper office of Christ Iesus to reconcile the reuolting Iewes, and by consequence all the elect in the world to God his Father. 1 Ioh. 2.1. and 2. R…m. 5.8.9.10. Ioh. 1.29,Rom. 4. v. 25 Act. 4.12. The forme and manner is by his death and passion to make payment and satisfaction to Gods iustice for their sinnes. 1 Ioh. 1.7. 1. Pet. 1.18.
Secondly by not imputing sinne vntounto his elect,Psa. 32.1 Phil. 3.9 and by imputing his owne righteousnesse vntounto them, 2. Cor. 5. ver. 21. Thirdly by abating and weakning the multitude and might of sin in them by the power of his word and efficacy of his spirit. Rom. 6. ver. 3 4.5.6.
Lastly by quite abolishing and remouing them at the houre of death and at the day of iudgment. Apoc. 14.13. Hebr. 9. ver. 28. Act. 3.19.
The reason hereof as,Gen. 2…. ve. 1… he is the blessed seed in whom all nations are blessed, & he is the roote and foundation on which all Gods promises depend,2 Cor. 1. v. 20 and in whom they are, yea, and Amen. Finally God hath sanctified, sent and sealed him alone to be Sauiour & Mediator of the world.Ioh. 5, 8…. Apoc▪ 19▪ v. 14 Heb. v. 14
Vse 1. Therefore we must seeke for saluation in none els but in Christ & in his only merits, righteousnes & sufferings, for he alone trod downe the wine-presse of Gods wrath, and by his death and obedience made satisfaction to his diuine iustice.
And this is my couenant to them.
Doctr.Gods couenant with his people is certaine, sure, perpetual and alwaies kept on Gods part,Psal. 89, v. 33.34 Act. 3.15. It is the foundation of saluation. The reason hereof is, because it is ratified and confirmed by Christ his death (as no humaine couenant can be for they only last whiles ye parties liue,) Secondly it is (in time) sealed in the hearts of Gods children by faith. Ephe. 1.13. as also renewed and confirmed by the sacraments both in the old and new testament. 1. Cor. 11.24. et 21.
Vse 1. It teacheth vsus first, not to despise the poore Iewes vntounto whom this couenant was first made, and in some, of whom it is alwaies verified and accomplished.
Vse 2. We must by faith apply vntounto our selues Christ & al his sauing benefits, that the couenant & testament may be firme and good in vsus & vntounto vsus, for without application there is no benefit and comfort felt and enioyed of meate, drinke, apparell, phisick, weapon, so much losse of Gods promises.