The Way to Heaven Discovered, Religious treatise · Stumbling block 4
IV.
After the ſinner is got over the three former ſtumbling blocks, he begins to run the waies of Gods Commandements; and in his way he meets with a fourth block; It is true, ſaith he, the Scriptures are the Word of God, and in the main truly tranſlated, and they ſpeak to me, upon whom the ends of the world is come, as well as unto the people in former ages; But how ſhall I know what they mean? The Scripture is to be underſtood in a ſpirituall ſenſe, the Book is ſealed to me, I cannot open the ſeal: I want the Key of the Bible, the Spirit of the Lord, Iſa. 29. 11.
Anſw. It is true, the word is a ſpirituall word, for holy men of old, ſpake as the Spirit gave them utterance; and the Apoſtles ſpake as the Spirit gave them utterance, Act. 2. 4. So that neither the learned man, nor the unlearned man can underſtand this Book, till the Spirit of God doth open this unto them: ſee Iſa. 29. 11, 12. And the Apoſtles themſelves, although they had been a long time with Chriſt, and heard his wo…ds, and ſeen his miracles, yet Chriſt after his reſurrection, muſt come and open their underſtandings, before they could underſtand the Scriptures, Luk. 24. 45. Again the Scriptures are ſometimes to be underſtood in a literall ſenſe, ſometimes in a ſpirituall ſenſe, and ſometimes in both: ſometimes as they are expreſt, ſometimes as included, ſometimes as implyed: but for removing this ſtumbling blocke, take notice, that the ſame God that commanded us to read, hath promiſed to open our underſtandings, that we may be able to underſtand and apply his Word: the Word of God it ſelf ſhineth as a clear light, but as the pillar of fire was darkneſſe to the Egyptians, ſo is the Scriptures to carnall corrupted mindes; for it is ſpiritually diſcerned: 1 Cor. 2. 10. Untill the Spirit open the underſtanding, the underſtanding cannot apprehend, and when it is opened it doth underſtand, but according to the meaſure of that light, ſet up in the ſoul, &c.
Obj. But for the full removing of this fourth ſtumbling block, I deſire ſatisfaction in theſe enſuing things.
1. Whether many of the promiſes are not made to Chriſt; and if ſo, what they are.
2. Whether many of them are not made to the Jewes, and what thoſe promiſes are.
3. Whether there be not many promiſes made to the Gentiles; and if ſo, what thoſe are. Theſe and many other things muſt be cleared unto me, and in me; and all mountains and ſtumbling blocks, that lye in my way removed, or elſe I ſhall not, nay I cannot beleeve nor apply the promiſes.
Anſw. In anſwer to the firſt Quaere, what promiſes are made unto, and do belong to Jeſus Chriſt.
1. It was promiſed that he ſhould be conceived of the Higheſt, and born of a Virgin, Luk. 31. 35.
2. That he ſhould be a Saviour and Redeemer, Act. 5. 31. & Hoſ. 1. 7. & Zach: 9. 16. & Mat. 1. 21.
3. That he ſhould be given for a Covenant to the people to perform all for them, and to work all in them, and to perfect all concerning them, Iſai. 42. 6. & 49. 7.
4. That he ſhould build his Church, Iſai. 59. 20. & Zech. 6. 12, 13.
5. That he ſhould have the heathen for his inheritance, and judge among the nations, Iſai. 2. 4. Pſa. 2. 8, 9. & 110. 1.
6. That he ſhould be exalted above all, and his throne eſtabliſhed for ever and ever, Luk. 1. 32, 33.
2. Quaere is, Whether many of the promiſes are not made to the Jewes, and what thoſe promiſes are, that are yet to be fulfilled to them.
Anſw. 1. That the Lord will gather them, and reſtore them out of, and from amongſt all nations, where they be ſcattered, Iſa. 27. 12. & Ezek. 24. 13. & 36. 24. & 37. 21.
2. That they ſhall repent of their ſins, Zach. 12. 10, 11, 12.
3. That they ſhall be fruitfull, Ezek. 24. 26, 27. & Jer. 31. 12.
4. That the great ones of the earth, as Princes and Nobles, ſhall ſerve them, Iſa. 49. 23. & 60. 10.
5. That their ſtate ſhall be ſo glorious, that it ſhall be called a new heaven, and a new earth, Rev. 21. 1.
6. That the Gentiles ſhall come in to them, Zach. 8. 23. & Iſa. 60. 3, 5, 7.
3. Quaere is, Whether there be not many promiſes made to the Gentiles; and if ſo, then what thoſe promiſes were and are.
Anſw. I ſuppoſe that all, or at leaſt many of the ſpirituall promiſes made to the Jewes do belong, and may be applyed to the Gentiles, but there are promiſes that doe more peculiarly belong to them. Hoſ. 1. 10. And it ſhall come to paſſe, that in the place where it was ſaid unto them, Ye are not my people, there ſhall it be ſaid unto them, Ye are the ſonnes of the living God: Hoſ. 2. 23. And I will have mercy upon her that did not obtain mercy, and I will ſay to them which are not my people, Ye are my people: and they ſhall ſay, Thou art our God, ſee Act. 15. 17 & Mal. 1 11. & Iſai. 2. 3, 4. & 11. 10. & 56. 8. & Jer. 16. 19. & Ezek 17. 23. Luk. 13. 29. & Mat. 12. 21. & 21. 23. & Rom 15. 12.