Discourse in College-Hall 27 March 1722, Text 2 – Title page 3

Discourse in College-Hall 27 March 1722 · Text 2 – Title page 3

p. 1The Truth.

PSALM CXVI. 10.

I Believed, therefore have I ſpoken: I was greatly Afflicted.

AS Nothing can be eſtabliſhed without a Foundation, ſo likewiſe according to the firmneſs and ſolidity of ſaid Foundation, the Superſtructure will laſt or decay. Or as every thing which is to be eſtabliſhed requires a Foundation for it, ſo likewiſe every thing according to the Nature of it, the Foundation muſt be anſwerable thereunto. This Maxim is ancient and infallible, and ſo common that nothing can be more obvious to the beholders. We have heard or ſeen ſeveral inſtances of this Nature, not only in Worldly Affairs, but even in Spiritual alſo. We read in the Acts of the Apoſtles, Chap. 5.39. how the Great Doctor Gamaliel uſed this very Argument, for the Deliverance of Peter and the reſt of the Apoſtles from the hands of their Perſecutors, ſaying, If it be of God ye cannot overthrow it, i. e. if the Doctrine which theſe Men teach is founded upon Mens Foundation (as that of Teudas, and of Judas the Galilean were,) it ſhall certainly periſh; but in caſe their Doctrine, is founded upon a ſure and good Foundation, p. 2(i.e. in God,) I adviſe you not to meddle with them: becauſe it is impoſſible for you, or all the World together, to overthrow it: but they ſhall flouriſh and laſt for ever. The Jewiſh Senate as ſoon as they heard him ſay ſo, were convinced with the ſtrength of the Argument, and reſted from killing them; and they being delivered, went on to teach and preach Jeſus Chriſt in the Temple, and in every houſe daily: and becauſe the Foundation which the Apoſtles did lay their Doctrine upon, was Jeſus Chriſt; For this reaſon it not only flouriſh'd, but it hath laſted ever ſince, and ſhall endure for ever. Jeſus Chriſt is called by the Apoſtle Paul to the R… mans, Chap. 15.20. & 1 Cor. 3.11, 12. A Foundation, to teach us, that any thing which is founded, a built upon it, can never decay or fall, but will rema… permanent and durable till the Worlds end; and for our aſſurance and encouragement we find recorded … Mat. 16.18. Chriſt ſaid to Peter upon his confeſſion that Jeſus Chriſt, was the Son of the Living God— Upon this Rock I will build my Church, and t… gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it. Upon th… Foundation, this Everlaſting Baſis, the Church a the Living God, has been ſince the beginning, eſtabliſhliſhed and built; from the beginning upon the Expectation of Chriſt's being to come, and afterwars upon his being already come. We Chriſtians do believe that Jeſus Chriſt the Son of the Living God, … already come, and the Jewiſh Nation, that He is … come. We that believe that Jeſus Chriſt is the S… of the Living God, and that He is already come, proſper daily, and they that deny Him, never d… But to the contrary they have been as it were abandon… from his preſence and favour, both in Church … State; and I verily believe, and am fully perſwade… they ſhall never come to be a gathered Nation w… Grandeur and Splendour, either Corporeal or Spiritual, till they come with one conſent, and Acknowledge p. 3what they have denied hitherto, even, that Jeſus Chriſt, the Son of the Living God is already come as it was predicted by all the Prophets, and till the… (and not before) we cannot expect, (with any reaſon) they ſhall be as they were before. This truth may be plainly ſeen in the Prophet, H…ſ. 3.4, 5. Whom (rebuking the Nation for their incredulity or unbelief,) the Lord bid to love a Woman beloved of her friend, &c. which accordingly he did, as we read, ver. 1, 2, 3. and then he goes on to pronounce their deſolation in the following words, For the Children of Iſrael ſhall abide many days without a King and without a Prince, and without a Sacrifice, and without a Statue, and without an Ephod & Teraphim. Afterward ſhall the Children of Iſrael return, and ſeek the Lord their God, and David their King, and ſhall fear the Lord, and his goodneſs in the Latter days. The firſt part of this Prophecy we do ſee, hath been fulfilled to the very laſt tittle, they having been for the ſpace of above 1650 Years (ſince the deſtruction of their Commonwealth,) deprived of all thoſe things mentioned in the fourth verſe; and reduced from that State they were formerly in, which was ſuch as could make any Nation happy, to ſuch a one as they are now in, ſcattered all over the World, ſubject to all ſorts of Nations, that are willing to let them live among them, ruled by their own Enemies, paying Tribute to all Nations where they live, and finally enduring all the Calamities and opprobrious Treatment that can make them unhappy: and as we have ſeen the firſt part accompliſhed, ſo I hope the 2d part will be fulfilled alſo, i. e. that they ſhall return, and ſeek the Lord, and David their King, i. e. the Meſſiah, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and fear him and his Goodneſs in the latter days, and look on Him whom they have pierced, Zech. 12.10. Rev. 1.7.

WE read in the Acts of the Apoſtles, Chap. 4.12. That there is no other Name under Heaven given p. 4among Men whereby we can be ſaved, but the Name of Jeſus Chriſt. This is ſo abſolute and infallible, that the beſt Divines among the Proteſtant Nation all agree and declare, That thoſe who having never heard the Goſpel, know not Chriſt, and believe not in Him, cannot be ſaved, be they never ſo diligent to frame their Lives according to the light of Nature, or the Law of the Religion which they profeſs. If ſo (not to infringe upon Chriſtian Charity) it is certainly an aſtoniſhing thing, and a thing of great Admiration to ſee ſo many Nations, and ſo many Kingdoms in the World, which do periſh for lack of Viſion! And more in particular we are to bewa… the Jewiſh Nation above all the reſt of the World, a Nation which were once God's favourite, People who… God choſe from all Nations to communicate to then his Divine Oracles; and condeſcended to give them ſuch Excellent Epithets as to call them, My Children, my Firſt Born; my Beloved; my Peculiar People, &c. to ſee them ſo rejected as to come to be the ſcorn of all Nations, and a laughing ſtock of all People Not from Yeſterday, but for theſe Seventeen Centuries and upwards! —

AS to the coming of the Meſſiah, i. e. th… He is already come; I could prove with ſever… Inſtances at large, namely of the time and place th… He was to come, of His Birth and Sufferings, and that He is the Son of the Living God from … beginning, Coaqual and Coaval with God the Father from all Eternity; all theſe Points and ſundry others I could prove, as I ſaid, to be nothing but the Truth, not only by the Authority of the Sacred Oracles, but even by the Opinion of their own Rabbins of old But the Jewiſh Nation, at the preſent time, which do deny all theſe Truths, do bring a great many Objections, to diſprove and invalidate the veracity o… them. And at preſent I do purpoſely deſign to tak… Notice, only of thoſe made againſt His being come p. 5Which if I anſwer them in full, (as I hope I ſhall) then we may fairly conclude that He is already come. Theſe are Nine, which I do deſign ſo far as the time will allow, to Examine every one in particular without partiality, and Anſwer them, not only by the Authority of the Sacred Oracles, but even by the Authority of then own Authentick Authors, imploring God's Grace with the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 19.14.—Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy ſight, O Lord, my rock, and my redeemer.

I ſhall lay … firſt the Objections as they ſtate them, and afterwards in my Anſwer to them diſtinctly, I ſhall ſhow whereon they ground their Opinions.

Namely,

1ſt, THAT at the coming of the Meſſiah there ſhall be a Great War, called the War of Gog and Magog, made up of a certain People, newly Born for that Purpoſe, in which War the King Meſſiah ſhall Conquer, by killing the Enemy's King by the Breath of his Mouth.

2dly, AT the time of the Meſſiah, the Ten Tribes with the reſt of the Jewiſh Nation, ſhall be gathered together into one place, even in Judea.

3dly, WHEN the Meſſiah ſhall come, He ſhall Build a third Temple in Jeruſalem, as was formerly; but with more Glory and Majeſty.

4thly, AFTER the coming of the Meſſiah, every dumb Creature ſhall be as they were before Adam's Sin.

5thly, AT the time of the Meſſiah and for ever more after, an Univerſal and General Peace, ſhall be all over the World.

6thly, THE Meſſiah was to come at the end of the World.

7thly, THE Mountain where the Houſe of God was Built, M…ly ſhall Grow up, and be higher than any Mountains and …lls in the World.

p. 68thly, ALL Nations in General without exception, ſhall acknowledge him to be the Meſſiah promis'd by the Prophets of old.

9thly, and laſtly, THE very ſame Law that God gave to the Jewiſh Nation from the beginning, either Moral or Ceremonial is to be kept until the end of the World.

THESE are the chief Arguments, or Objections that I remember the Modern Rabbins do make to defend themſelves by, and with them do oppoſe their True Lord and Saviour, and are the only ones, which I think deſerves Notice, ſo far as to beſtow any pains in Anſwer to them. (Hoping in Caſe I ſhall anſwer them in full, with God's Bleſſing it will make ſuch a deep Impreſſion on the Hearts of my Brethren, as to Acknowledge it, and Publickly Confeſs it.) viz.

The

1ſt, Argument is, THAT at the Coming of the Meſſiah, there ſhall be a great War, called the War of Gog and Magog, and the Army of ſaid King ſhall conſiſt of a certain Dwarf kind of People which ſhall come againſt the Meſſiah, and he, the Meſſiah, ſhall overcome him, and kill him by the Breath of his Mouth. This their Opinion is grounded upon the 38th, and 39th, Chapters of the Prophet Ezekiel, and they argue thus; Since ſaid War never was as yet, neither when Chriſt came, nor afterwards, ergo, The Meſſiah is yet to come.

To which I anſwer,

TO underſtand what the Prophet ſays, according to the Interpretation which their Modern Rabbins have newly Invented, (who apply ſo many different Scriptures to maintain their Chimaerical notions, as I could make it appear if I had a mind to expoſe them) I think it is nothing but a Folly, and I am ſure if the Spirit of Truth had not left them, they could very quickly ſee with what kind of Food they have been p. 7fed of late by ſome of their New upstart Rabbins. Particularly ever ſince they took ſuch an Averſion & Hatred to all Religions in the World, and more particularly to the beſt of all Religions, even the Religion of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, and have left the good old way, which their ancient Rabbins did conſtantly put upon the Prophetical Expreſſions.

Therefore I ſay,

THAT there ſhall be a War, and a Great one indeed in the Latter end, I Believe, becauſe the Prophet plainly ſays ſo; But that this War ſhould be at the firſt Advent of the Meſſiah, and that the Meſſiah's Enemies ſhould be a parcel of Dwarfs (as they Dream,) this is altogether falſe, becauſe all thoſe Nations mentioned in theſe Chapters which ſhall join together with King Gog in this War, are very well known in the World, (if we underſtand it Literally) as the Muſcovites Deciphered in Meſhech and Toobaul; the Mahometan Perſians in Pauraſs; the Arabian Ethiopians in Kooſh; the Libyians in Poot; the Galatians in Gomerr; the Turks in …ogarmau; Sundry Nations of Arabia Felix in Shebau and Dedaun; and the Africans in Tarſhiſh; the Original of all theſe, they may eaſily find in reading the firſt 7 Verſes of the 10th Chapter of Geneſis; but the Queſtion is to know, who this King Gog is; to which I ſay that according to the Opinion of the beſt Divines, this name is not given to a particular King, but it is a name given to all thoſe which do Oppoſe Chriſt, who are called Antichriſts; theſe, ſhall at the latter end appear more openly than ever they did, and diſturb the Church of God, for which Reaſon, Chriſt as the Head of the Church, ſhall deſtroy them with the Breath of His Mouth; pleading againſt them, with Peſtilence and with Blood, with a Tempeſtuous and an Overflowing Rain of Hailſtones, Fire, and Brimſtone, as in v. 22.

TO prove the Truth of my Explication with Chriſtian Authors, or with the 20th Chapter of the Revelations, p. 8I know it is in vain (as to them) therefore I only deſire of them to Read the Book called … mauh David compoſed by that famous R. David de Pomis under the Word Armiles, and there they will find this worthy Author plainly ſays, that this King Gog the Prophet ſpake of in this place, is Armilos which is the ſame (N. B.) that the Chriſtians call Antichrist.

THE Name of Armilos that this Famous Rabby gives to Antichriſt is not of his own, but he hath it from the Targum which (Paraphraſing the 4th verſe of the 11th Chapter of Iſaiah, which runs thus, But with Righteouſneſs ſhall be (the Meſſiah) Judge the poor, and reprove with equity, for the meek of the earth, and he ſhall ſmite the earth with the rod of his Mouth, and with the Breath of his Lips ſhall be ſlay the wicked: From whence the Jewiſh Nation have the Notion that the Meſſiah ſhall kill the King Gog with the breath of his mouth,) ſays thus, And He ſhall ſ…ite the Sinners of the Earth with the word of his mouth, and with the ſpeech of his lips ſhall cauſe Armilos (or Antie… in) the wicked to die.

I cannot but admire the Jewiſh Nations Notion to believe, this War ſhould be in the firſt advent of the Meſſiah; ſince one of the principal Arguments which they alledge againſt the certainty of Chriſt's being come, is that general Peace that ſhould be in his days, and for ever more after, as we ſhall underſtand anon. And yet they argue againſt us becauſe there was he War; how could it be a War (and of ſuch quality and quantity as this is deſcribed by the Prophet in theſe two Chapters) and yet be Peace? Or how could it be a general Peace in his days, and for evermore after, and a War in the ſame time? Theſe two things Peace and War, are ſo contrary one to another, that can never be reconelled in the World as the Jewiſh p. 9Nation do believe, i. e. To be all in one ſelf ſame time and perſon; therefore ſince both Prophecies are true, becauſe both proceed from the Fountain of Truth, we muſt certainly conclude they ſpeak of two different times, as we ſay, i. e. the Peace time, at the firſt advent of the Meſſias, and the Wars time, ſome time before his Second Coming.

FOR the Confirmation of my Aſſertion, I will quote one ſingle paſſage more out of their own Rabbins, and then conclude with this Argument, viz.

IN Bereſhith Rabbau, a Book of Great Authority among them, treating upon the 11th. verſe of the 40th Chapter of Geneſis, which ſays, And Pharaoh's Cup was in my Hand; after a large and adilated Diſcourſe, the Author ponders upon the word which our Engliſh Tranſlators tranſlated, Salvation, in the 13th. verſe of the 116th Pſalm, which in the Original is in the Plutal Number Heſhoognoth, Salvations, and ſays …, Cup of Salvations: Cup of Sal… (in the ſingular) is not wrote in this place, But … of Saloations (in the Plural to teach us there ſhall be two Salvations) one in the Time (or days) of the Meſſiah, and another in the time (or days) of Gog.

NOW out of theſe Sentences I gather Two things; firſt, that the time of the Meſſiah, and the time of Gog are two different Times, and ſecondly, that Chriſt was to be a God as well as Man, contrary to what they are willing now to own, becauſe they ſay, that be ſhall kill the wicked with the Speech of his Lips, and I ask, who is that that could or can kill another Man like himſelf with a ſingle Breath only? Did ever any Man do ſuch a thing? Or can any Man kill the leaſt viſible Creature by the Breath of his Mouth only, much more a Man? No, certainly; therefore let us conclude that this Prophecy of Gog altho' it ſpeaks concerning the Meſſiah, is not fully accompliſhed as yet, and in vain th… wait for his p. 10coming depending upon what is ſaid concerning this War of Gog and Magog.

2dly, THE Second Argument they bring to prove the Meſſiah is not yet come, is becauſe, (they ſay) When Christ ſhall come, be ſhall gather the ten Tribes in company of all the reſt of the Jewiſh Nation, that are ſ…attered all over the World, and bring them all together into one place even in the Holy Land. This Opinion they ground upon what is written in Deu. 30. … 5. in Iſai. 11.11, 12. and in Ezek. 39.25, — 29. If any of thine be driven out unto the utmoſt parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will be fetch thee. And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers poſſeſſed, and thou ſhalt poſſeſs it: and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. And it ſhall come to paſs in that day, that the Lord ſhall ſet his hand again the ſecond time, to recover the remnant of his people which ſhall be left from Aſſyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cuſh, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the iſlands of the ſea. And be ſhall ſet up an enſign for the nations, and ſhall aſſemble the outcaſts of Iſrael, and gather together the diſperſed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Therefore thus ſaith the Lord God, now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and will have mercy upon the whole houſe of Iſrael, and will be jealous for my holy name: After that they have born their ſhame, and all their treſpaſſes whereby they have treſpaſſed against me, when they dealt ſafely in their land, and none made them a…id. When I hay… brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies lands, and am ſanctified in them in the ſight of many nations. Then ſhall they know that I am the Lord their God, which cauſed them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but p. 11I have gathered them unto their own land, & have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my ſpirit upon the houſe of Iſrael, ſ…ith the Lord God. And they argue ſo, we find with ſad Experience that not only we are not gathered according as it has been predicted, but we have been and are Toſſed to and fro, from one Nation to another every day more and more; ſuffering ſeveral Perſecutions and divers Calamities, as the whole World is ſenſible, and therefore the Meſſiah which was to deliver us from all theſe Tro…bies is yet to Come.

To this I anſwer,

THAT I am Heartily ſorry to ſee them in ſuch a Troubleſome Condition as they are, but for this they may t…nk their forefathers and no body elſe, becauſe if they had received the Lord of Glory for their Prophet, Prieſt and King, as he was offered to them at the beginning, they would never have been under ſuch Circumſtances as they are now in, but would have remained in their Land, and enjoyed their Priviledges as they did before, without being deprived of them.

IF I was of the Opinion of ſeveral Divines, and even of ſundry Jewiſh Rabbins I could make it appear that all thoſe places they quote to uphold their Opinion, and ſeveral more ſcattered up and down in the Old Teſtament, are already fulfill'd in their Deliverance from the Babylonian Captivity; and likewiſe that the Ten Tribes, which Shalmanezer King of the Aſſyrians carry'd Captive to Halah and Haber by the River Gozan, and in the Cities of the Medes, as we read in 2 Kin. 17.6. & 18, 11; are either totally loſt, or at leaſt they are ſo mixed and mingled with thoſe Nations where they were carried, that their return in a diſtinct Body as they were before their Captivity, is next to impoſſible.

p. 12BUT ſince I cannot ſee ſo clearly into the Expoſition of the ſaid Prophecies as they do, I beg leave to diſſent from them in this point; Becauſe at that time, i. e. at their return from Babel, neither the Ten Tribes nor the whole Two did return to Jeruſalem, and at that time they were not ſcattered all over the World, and therefore they could not be gathered from whence they were not; and the words ſeems plainly to declare they ſhould be ſcattered, becauſe in Iſai. 11.11, 12. it is ſaid, that the Diſperſed of Judah ſhall be gathered from the four Corners (or Wings) of the Earth. Therefore I am prone to think this Prophecy does ſpeak of the ſtate and condition, the Jewiſh Nation are now under, ſcattered up and down the whole World, and that God doth here promiſe to gather them as they were before.

BUT this one Thing I would put the Jewiſh Nation in mind of, i. e. that altho', I grant their return, and plead for them, againſt thoſe that underſtand it otherwiſe; yet let them know, and be fully perſwaded, that this return will never come to paſs, till they acknowledge the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, for their Meſſiah and Goell, i. e. Chriſt and Redeemer.

HERE the Jewiſh Nation can't bear to hear this Condition, becauſe (they ſay) nothing of that nature is mentioned in theſe places. Therefore my buſineſs at preſent is to make it appear, that this Condition, i. e. of their Converſion to Chriſtianity is to be underſtood; elſe, I know they will never be ſatisfy'd; (and pray God they may after.)

N.B. AS it is a thing granted of both ſides Jews and Chriſtians, that God is Infinite, Unchangeable, and Righteous, to fulfill all his Promiſes, ſo likewiſe p. 13we muſt certainly conclude and believe, that the ſame Spirit of Truth which communicated the Will and Mind of God to one Prophet, the ſame was with another, and altho' they ſeem ſometimes to contradict one another; nevertheleſs, they all ſpeak true, and the fault lies in us, who have not ſenſe enough to underſtand them, ſo as to reconcile them together, and make them ſpeak one and the ſelf ſame thing.

NOW the way and Method that we muſt take to reconcile thoſe Places which ſeems to contradict one another is, to have a recourſe to another place in the very Word of God, which ſpeaks of the ſame thing with more clear expreſſions, and not to depend upon the Explication of any Man whatſoever (as the Church of Rome does, i. e. to the Pope,) becauſe in the very Word of God we ſhall find ſufficient Light to inlighten us in any thing that we are in need of. Now if we read ſome places in the Bible, and take them ſeperately from any other, we ſhall find very plainly the downfal of the Jewiſh Nation, ſo as they ſhall never riſe more. As in Hoſ. 1.6. We read thus, I will no more have mercy upon the houſe of Iſrael, but I will utterly take them away. So likewiſe in Amos 5.1, 2. Hear ye this word which I take up againſt you, even a lamentation O houſe of Iſrael: The Virgin of Iſrael is fallen, ſhe ſhall no more riſe; ſhe is forſaken upon her land, there is none to riſe her up. In Iſai. 6.10. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, & ſhut their eyes, leſt they ſee withtheir eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and convert and be healed. And ſeveral more.

AND if we look in other places (as thoſe cited by the Jewiſh Nation) we ſhall read in them every thing contrary to other Prophets Predictions.

NOW to ſay any otherwiſe, than that both ſpeak true, is the ſame as denying the Canon of the Bible, and to own both, ſeems too groſs a folly for any ſenſible Perſon? What muſt we then do? Deny all we dare p. 14not: Own all we cannot: What then? We muſt have a recourſe, as I ſaid before, to other places in the Bible, where we ſhall find Light enough to enlighten us to underſtand ſuch Scriptures.

THE Prophet Ezekiel, ſpeaking upon the ſame Subject in another place, foretells the Salvation of his People, with the Addition of a Shepherd, even David his Servant, which God will ſet up to ſeed and rule over them as a Prince, Ezek. 34.22, 23, 24.

THE Prophet Hoſea treating upon this very ſame point in the 3d Chap. ver. 5th. ſays theſe notable words, Afterwards ſhall the children of Iſrael return and ſeek the Lord their God, and David their King, and ſhall fear the Lord and his Goodneſs in the latter days.

THE Prophet Jeremiah is more wonderful in deſcribing the condition of the ſaid deliverance, Chap. 3d. 8, 9. which runs thus, For it ſhall come to paſs in that day ſays the Lord of Hoſts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, &c. But they ſhall ſerve (or worſhip) the Lord their God, and David their King, whom I will raiſe up unto them.

HERE in theſe places we find a full anſwer, and an intire reconciliation to the aforeſaid places. i. e. their return doth depend upon this Condition, that they ſhall ſeek the Lord their God, and David their King, as in Hoſea; and that they ſhall ſerve (or worſhip) the Lord their God, and David their King, as in Jeremiah; and to prevent any miſ-interpretation of the words, David their King, for King David, (as the Jewiſh Nation do,) the Prophet Jeremiah uſes the word AUKIM, I will raiſe in the future Tenſe, to ſignify the Meſſiah which was to riſe from the Dead, and this King David indeed was to be their King, and him they muſt ſeek and ſerve in the ſame way and manner as they ſeek and ſerve their God, even the Lord Jehovah, mentioned together, becauſe both are of one ſelf ſame Subſtance, equal in p. 15Power and Glory from all Eternity. And no… leaſt they ſhould think this way of Paraphraſing the words, David their King as I do, to be ſomewhat out of the true way, I will quote one ſingle Authority (of a great many that are to be found among their Rabblns) which ſays the ſame as we do word for word, and then conclude this Argument.

THE Targum, upon the 5th. verſe of the 3d. Chap. of Hoſea, paraphraſing the words, and they ſhall ſeek the Lord their God & David their King, ſays the following words, After this the children of Iſrael ſhall return in Contrition, and they ſhall ſeek the Service of the Lord their God, and they the Meſſiah the Son of David their King.

NOW I hope they will be convinced, that their return and being gathered as they were before, depends altogether upon ſeeking and obeying the Lord their God, and the Meſſiah who is already come, and who is their Lord and Redeemer, elſe in vain do they expect to be delivered, ſaved, and brought over again to the former Glory.

Thirdly, THE Third Argument they bring to prove the Meſſiah is yet to come, is becauſe (they ſay) a Third Temple is to be built at His Coming; and this they prove out of what is written in the laſt Chapter of Ezekiel, and more particularly of the 12th, and 13th. Verſes of the 6th. Chap. of Zachariah, which runs thus, And ſpeak unto them ſaying, thus ſpeaketh the Lord of Hoſts, ſaying, Behold the Man whoſe Name is the Brench and be ſhall grew up out of his place, and he ſhall build the Temple of the Lord, even he ſhall build the Temple of the Lord, and he ſhall bear the Glory, and ſhall ſet and rule upon his Throne, and the Counſel of Peace ſhall be between them both. And now they argue thus, Since a Third Temple is not built, which is the true mark, and inſallible Sign, ergo, the Meſſiah is yet to come.

p. 16To this I anſwer,

THAT this Prophecy, ſpeaks concerning the Meſſia… who is that Branch that grew up cut of his place, I grant; But that any of theſe places by them alledged have any reference to the third Temple upon Earth, (as they falſly ſuppoſe,) I do abſolutely Deny, for Two Reaſons.

1ſt, BECAUSE 'tis contrary to the Word of God. And,

2dly, BECAUSE 'tis contrary to the opi…ion of their own Ancient Rabbies.

1ſt, THAT it is contrary to the Word of God, as we read in Jer. 7.4. Trust ye not in lying words, ſaying, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the L…rd, the temple of the Lord, are theſe. It ſeems by the Words of this Prophet, that even in his days, this notion of having three Temples was introduced among the Nation by the falſe Teachers or lying Prophets, which in his time grew in abundance (as we read in ſeveral places of this Prophet) who did Teach & Prophecy to them in God's Name ſeveral falſe and lying Doctrines, on purpoſe to incourage them in their Wickedneſs; among the reſt of the falſhoods, they taught, that God would not deſtroy the Temple, and keep it for ever deſolate; under a Pious pretence, that he then would not have a houſe to obſerve the performance of the Sacrifices in, and that therefore in caſe the Temple ſhould come to be deſtroyed as Jeremiah ſaid, He would Rebuild it and Trebuild it over again. As ſoon as the Prophet Jeremiah underſtood that this lying Doctrine had made ſuch an impreſſion in the Ears and Hearts of the People, ſo that they would not leave off going aftray, and return to God with a ſincere Repentance, and a true Obedience, as he in God's Name, ſeveral times had admoniſhed them; The word of the Lord came to him and bid him go and ſtand in the gates of the Lord's houſe, and proclaim the following Edict, not to a ſingle Perſon or Company, but in the preſence of p. 17Judah and all that uſe to come and Worſhip the Lord within thoſe Gates. Thus ſaith the Lord of hoſts, the God of Iſrael, amend your ways and your doings, & I will cauſe you to dwell in this place. Truſt ye not in lying words, ſaying, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord are theſe. i. e. This Doctrine [which the falſe Prophets have taught you, flattering you, that the Temple ſhall never be deſtroyed but remain intire for ever, and that in caſe it ſhould happen to be as I ſaid, the Lord will Rebuild it over again, not only the ſecond time, but even the third alſo, (which is intimated in the Triplication of the Words, the Temple of the Lord)] is a falſe and a lying Doctrine, do not Truſt to it, becauſe there is no truth in it; but the way to be preſerved in the State and Condition you are in, is to amend Throughly, elſe I will do to this Houſe as I did to Shilo, i. e. it ſhall never be Rebuilt again the third time, as your falſe Prophets and Teachers give you to underſtand.

This is the true Word of God, and as ſuch can never be altered; and although an Attempt has been made by Julian the Apoſtate to build it a third time, on purpoſe to oppoſe God's Word, as the Hiſtories gives us an account, nevertheleſs it never came to paſs, and never will to the Worlds end.

2dly, BY their own Ancient Authors; I do not remember they ever leſt any thing recorded, wherein they ſhew this opinion i. e. that a third Temple was to be built as the Modern Jews do Believe of late (who I am very much afraid they are ſomewhat couched with the ſame ſpirit that their Countrymen were in Jeremiah's time, becauſe they have a parcel of Teachers newly ſtarted up, ſo ſelf-conceited and ſo proud with their Religion, that they have leſt the good old Interpretation that their good Honeſt Rabbins of Primitive Ages uſed to give to the Holy p. 18Scriptures, and have invented many Chimerical notions to uphold their new Doctrine, which neither their Fathers, nor their Fathers Fathers ever heard of, from the very day the Jewiſh Religion was founded till now) but always underſtood the Temple ſhould be Built but twice, in the Book called Shingnone… upon the 17th Verſe of the 28th Chapter of Geneſis, are the following Words, And he was afraid, and ſaid, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the houſe of God, and this is the gate of heaven. Our Father Jacob ſaw (in his viſion) the Temple, Built, Ruined, and Built again, the Words, How dreadful is this place, imply, that he ſaw it Built. The Words, This is none other but the houſe of God, imply, that he ſaw it Ruined, and the words, and this is the gate of heaven, imply, that he ſaw it Rebuilt and Compleated for the future. [Which Interpretation of that Text, I would not be thought any otherwiſe to improve than as it ſhows us that the Ancient Rabbins knew nothing of a third Temple.] And in a more Ancient Author than this, we read (in the Book called Bereſhith Rabbau upon the firſt verſe of Geneſis) the following words, Rabby Hijau, ſaid in the beginning at the Creation of the World the Holy and Bleſſed One, (i. e. God) ſaw the Temple Built, Ruined, and Rebuilt, &c. From this place alſo and ſundry more, that I could quote, 'tis plainly to be ſeen, even by the confeſſion of their own Rabbins, that neither our Father Jacob, nay (what is more remarkable) nor God Himſelf ever knew any thing about this Third Temple, but ſaw it built twice only.

BUT that they may be fully ſatisfy'd in this point, ſo as not to live with ſuch falſe hopes, I will quote one paſſage more of one of their biggeſt Expoſitors, whom they call for his great underſtanding the true meaning of the Scriptures Dzna Hautoran, the Ears of the Law, (becauſe as they ſay, by his meaning p. 19they come to hear and underſtand what God ſays,) …abby Selomo Jarchi, upon this very ſame Prophecy of …. 6.12, 13. And ſpeak unto him, ſaying, Thus ſpeaketh the Lord of bosts, ſaying, Behold the man whoſe name is the BRANCH, and he ſhall grow up out of his place, and be ſhall build the temple of the Lord: Even he ſhall build the temple of the Lord, & he ſhall bear the glory, & ſhall ſit and rule upon his throne, and he ſhall be a prieſt upon his throne, & the counſel of peace ſhall be between them both. Which they alledge to diſprove the veracity of Chriſt's coming; and then conclude this Argument. His words are as following, Whoſe name is the Branch, this is Zerubabel aforeſaid, and ſome lay this ſignifieth the king Meſſiah; and this fabrick is to be underſtood of the Second Temple.

NOW ſince they have ſo great Veneration for this Rabby, and he ſays that this Building is to be underſtood of the Second Temple, let them be ſilent, and be convinced, I beſeech them, that the Third Temple is never to be Built, (whatever their new up-ſtart Rabbins do teach, feeing it is proved with as many Authorities as any Judicious Perſon can deſire to have for the Satisfaction of any doubt whatſoever,) and conclude, that the Meſſiah is already come; and with this belief, and obeying what He hath commanded, I hope they will be gathered from all parts where-ever they are, even ſince the Captivity of the Ten Tribes, into their Country, in a National Body as they were in former Ages, and be Settled, and Build Churches, as many and as pompous, as their hearts ſhall wiſh; and ſerve and worſhip the True and the Living God through Chriſt; and be eſtabliſhed for ever.

Fourthly, THE Fourth Argument which they bring to prove their Opinion, is, That every thing, i. e. every Creature ſhall be as it was before Adam's fall, without being hurtful, but innocent, and live in peace p. 20one with another. — This they prove with what Iſai. 11.6, 7, 8, 9. ſays, which runs thus. The wolf ſhall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard ſhall lie down with the Kid, and the Calf and the young Lion, and the fatling together, and a little child ſhall lead them: And the Cow and the Bear ſhall feed, their young ones ſhall lie together, and the Lyon ſhall eat straw like the Ox: and the ſucking Child ſhall play on the hole of the Aſp, and the weaned Child ſhall put his band on the Adders Den: they ſhall not burt nor deſtroy in all my holy Mountain, &c. And they argue thus, Since theſe things ſhould come to paſs, at the time of Chriſt's coming, and we never ſaw nor heard, that ever the Creatures act ſo, but they are as fierce as ever they were; ergo, The Meſſiah is not come.

TO this I anſwer, that altho' ſome of their new upſtart Rabbins for to uphold their Opinion or Belief, do maintain that this Prophecy is to be underſtood literally, I beg of them not to be ſo eaſily drawn aſide from the Opinion of their Old Teachers, and then I am fully ſatisfy'd they will quickly embrace the true Meſſiah.

Who is like unto Daimonides among them? None. Since they have a ſaying among them, to ſhow the great Veneration and eſteem they have for him, as following, Dimoſhe …egnaud moſhe Lo kaum k… moſhe: From Moſes the Lawgiver till Moſes the Son of Baimon, never was another like unto this Moſas. (If ſo, let us hear what this great Man ſays, upon this very ſame point at the end of his Book called Raubenu Moſhe. If I have not forgot the very Words, I think they are as following, elſe I know and am ſure he ſays the ſame in ſubſtance,) viz. Let not ſuch things ariſe upon thine heart, that in the days of the Meſſiah any thing ſhall be deprived of its uſual nature, neither ſhall there be any innovation in the works of Creation, but the world ſhall follow its own courſe, and p. 21this that is writ, in Iſai. 11.6, 7, 8, 9. The wolf alſo ſhall dwell with the lamb, &c. is a parable and an Enigma, and ſignifieth that the Iſraelites or Jewiſh Nation ſhall dweſt in Tranquility with the wicked of other Nations of the World. Now by this Quotation they may ſee (if they have a mind to,) how this Prophecy is to be underſtood, even according to the biggeſt Champions among their Rabbins. But who are thoſe compared in particular to the Welf, Leopard, &c. is not my preſent buſineſs at this time to determine. But the Prophecy is to be underſtood in an Allegorial ſenſe, and the beſt Allegory that can be found, Conformable to the Orthodox opinion, is, That thoſe Men and Nations which before the coming of the Meſſiah were proud and fierce as Lyons and Wolves, and the reſt of the Ravenous Creatures mentioned in the Text, at his coming ſhall all grow as meek and pliable as Lambs, and Kids are, by ſubduing their Wills to the Obedience of Chriſt's Laws, and they ſhall feed together, i. e. of the Word and Sacraments, all alike without any difference between them, even from the King to the Peaſant, they ſhall all be ruled, by the ſame Laws and Directions that Chriſt ſhall preſcribe, and they ſhall Live peaceable and quiet one with another, not hurting one another, either in Eſtate or Name. This has been punctually fulfilled at Chriſt's coming (and ever ſince by all the True and Sincere Chriſtians) in the Converſion of ſo many cruel and ſavage fort of Men, they rendring Obedience to Chriſt's Laws, became as tame and tractable as any whatſoever, becauſe the Laws of Chriſt teach nothing but Humility, and Exclaim againſt Pride and Arrogancy, as is well known to all his followers. And

NOW ſo long as they can't prove that this Prophecy and others of this nature are to be underſtood F…ally by any Authority more Ancient and Authentick then Maimonides, nor give a better Interpretation p. 22than this, Let them hold their Tongues, and Confeſs the Truth, (even that Jeſus Chriſt, the Son of the Living God, is the True Meſſiah, who is come already into the World for the Salvation of Sinners, ſuch as they and we are,) if they have a mind to be ſaved.

5thly, THE fifth Argument they alledge to eſtabliſh their Opinion is, that when the Meſſiah ſhall come and for ever more after his coming till the Worlds end, there ſhall be a general and univerſal Peace all over the World. This they prove out of Iſai. 2.4. which runs thus, And they ſhall beat their Swords into Plowſhares, and their ſpears into pruningbooks; Nation ſhall not lift up Sword against Nation, neither ſhall they learn War any more. And they argue thus, Since a General and Everlaſting Peace is promiſed by the Prophet in this Place, to be in the Time of the Meſſiah, the contrary of which we daily ſee, (that not only the Wars are not ceaſed ſince Chriſt's Coming, but on the contrary, they have increaſed daily, not only with the ordinary way of fighting, that was in uſe in thoſe days; but even with a new Invention of Fire Arms, never heard before a few hundred Years ago,) therefore (they ſay) if all the Arguments could be anſwered, this is unanſwerable, becauſe the words are plain, i. e. Nation ſhall not lift up ſword againſt Nation, neither ſhall they learn War any more. Ergo, The Meſſiah is not come at yet.

TO this I Anſwer,

I know ſome to avoid this Argument, would have the Prophet ſpeak here, of that inward Peace of Conſcience, that every Good Chriſtian enjoys that follows the Laws of Chriſt; which Peace is an Everlaſting Peace. Some underſtand this place for that Eternal Peace, that ſhall be in the Church after the Jews and Gentiles ſhall be brought together, under p. 23one Shepherd and Biſhop of Souls; and that then (and not before) this Prophecy ſhall be fulfill'd. Some would have this Prophecy to be already fulfill'd in that General and Univerſal Peace that was thro' the whole World in Auguſtus Time, as we read in Luk. 2.1. And it came to paſs in thoſe days, that there went out a decree from Ceſar Auguſtus, that all the world ſhould be taxed. This laſt Opinion I am apt to think is what the Prophet meant in this place. But the Jewiſh Rabbins are very ſtiff in denying of it, alledging the words, Neither ſhall they … War any more. And tho' this ſeems the ſtrongeſt Argument they have againſt Chriſt's Coming, and ſeems to have the beſt face and colour to uphold their Opinion, I deſign in a few Minutes time to ſhow the Rottenneſs of it, hoping if they will ſeriouſly conſider it, they will all come and look on Him, whom (with their inward Jarrs and Contentions) they have pierced.

I ſay then, That God by His Prophet, never intended, that after the coming of Chriſt, a perpetual Peace ſhall be in the World, becauſe if he had ſo intended, we ſhould all live in Peace and Tranquility, ſince He is come, and being the contrary we daily ſee and feel, ergo, we may certainly conclude, that he never meant ſo.

BUT the true and genuine meaning of this Prophecy is, God declares that at Chriſt's coming ſo long as He was upon Earth bodily, and no longer, the World ſhould enjoy Peace. And this for Two Reaſons, Firſt, To ſhow that He was the King of Kings, and therefore ſo long as he was upon Earth, none ſhould be ſo daring, as to take up Arms one againſt another, ſeeing their Lord and King was upon Earth. And Secondly, Becauſe after his Death, not only his Enemies, but even thoſe that are true-hearted Chriſtians ſo long as they are in this World, are liable to fall under a great many Temptations, and be left of God for a while, (for Reaſons to Him only p. 24reſerved) and ſo ſwerve from that temper and way of Peace that Chriſt their Lord and Maſter had dictated to them.

NOW according to this Prophetical Prediction, the Thing came to paſs juſt exactly as he foretold it, becauſe ſo long as Chriſt, was upon Earth perſonally, we read of a General and Univerſal Peace that was thro' the World in Auguſtus Reign, and after his Death the Wars begun to break out again as it was formerly, not only between one Nation and another, but even among Chriſtians themſelves.

IT is not worth their while to argue from the Words. Neither ſhall they learn War any more, any thing to diſprove the veracity of this Interpretation, becauſe that Word which they and other Interpreters Tranſlated More, in the Original is, Gnod, which Word, although ſometimes tis underſtood more, or for ever, this is very ſeldom, and for the moſt part, … to be underſtood for a little while. To prove th… tis requiſite only to perſwade them to read with attention the 35th Chapter of Geneſis, and the 10th Verſe, and there they will find that God ſaid to Jacch that his name ſhould not be called Jacob any more, but Iſrael ſhould be his name, which Word more in the Original is Gnod, and yet we find he is called in this very ſame Chapter Jacob again, eight times, beſides infinite other times elſewhere. And in caſe this proof will not ſatisfy them they may go and read what that Famous Rabby, …id Kimchi, ſays in his Dictionary called Sheraſhim who when he Expounds the Word Gnod, ſays the following Words, Sometimes this Word more is to be underſtood for a little while. Prov. 31.7. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remem…er his miſery no more, it is not to be underſtood for ever, but while the Wine is within him, &c.

p. 25AND now ſince Chriſt is already come, and none but Fools, Reprebates, or Obſtinates do deny it, and yet the War is not ceaſed from the Chriſtian World (at leaſt) we may certainly conclude, that this Word More in this Place, is to be underſtood for a little while, as it came to paſs, i. e. in that only while that Chriſt was upon Earth. So let them leave off railing, and conclude the Meſſiah is already come, altho' the War is not yet ceaſed.

AS to the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Arguments, which they bring to ſupport their folly. Which are,

Sixthly, THAT the Meſſiah was to …ome at the End of the World. The

Seventh, THAT the Mountain which the Houſe of the Lord was built upon, is to grow miraculouſly above all the Mountains and Hills of the World.

And the

Fighth. THAT all the Nations of the World without exception ſhall acknowledge the Beſhah, when ſhall come for the true Chriſt promiſed by the Prophets.

SEEING they are all grounded upon the 2d verſe, of the 2d Chap of Iſaiah, I ſhall handle them together.

THE Verſe runs thus, And it ſhall come to paſs in the laſt days, that the mountain of the Lord's houſe ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the mountains, and ſhall be exalted above the bills, and all Nations ſhall flow unto it.

NOW they argue thus, Since we ſee that your Chriſt is come above 1700 Years ago, and the Mountain of the Lord's Houſe, never grew ſo as to be higher than it was before is coming; Neither do all the Nations in General without exception, acknowledge him to be the true Meſſiah. Ergo, He is not that Meſſiah which was pr…ted by the Prophets.

To theſe I anſwer,

TO the Sixth. Altho' ſome times this phraſe, in the latter days, I do grant, is to be underſtood at the End of the World, as they ſay …evertheleſs, this very p. 26expreſſion, ſignifieth ſometimes, the time when the thing which is prophecied ſhall come to paſs, altho' it be a few Years after. This …ay be made to appear …f we read the 39th Verſe of the 19th Chapter of Jeremiah, where it is ſaid, But it ſhall come to paſs in the latter days that I will …ng the captivity of Elam, ſaith the Lord. Which …nd of days altho' 'tis expreſs'd with the ſame phraſe, yet the thing came to paſs a few Years after, i. e. in the time of Cyrus King of Perſia, and not at the end of the World; as we read in Ezra 1.1. And ſo this place is not to be underſtood at the end of the World as the modern Jewiſh Rabbins ſay, but only the time when Chriſt was to come. This Expoſition is ſo certain, that their own Authors, even that famous Rabby David … expounding the ſame Text underſtood it ſo alſo, his words are as following, Every pla… where it is ſaid in the laſt days, is to be underſtood the time of the Meſſiah. It is not worth their while to argue and ſay as they do, viz. That altho' ſaid expreſſion ſometimes ſignifieth as I ſaid, yet in this place 'tis to be underſtood as they ſay, even that he is to come at the End of the World, becauſe it may be made appear at any time, and place, that the Meſſiah was not to come at the end of the World, as they ſay, either by the Scriptures, or by their own Authors.

BY the Scriptures, in the fulfillment of the Time that the Prophet Daniel preſcribed; viz. the Meſſiah was to come, at the time that the Seventy Prophetical Weeks was ended. And if we could be certain when theſe Seventy Weeks begun, it could be demonſtrated and plainly made to appear, that Chriſt came juſt exactly at the time appointed.

BY their own Authors I find in the Talmud Baſetheth Sanedrin, Chap. Heleck, a famous Deſcription when the Meſſiah was to come, which deſerves to be ingraven and kept for a Monument to all Ages. The words are as following, It was read in the Houſe p. 27or S…eel of Elijah, Six Thouſand Years the World ſhall last, Two Thouſand Years ſhall be void (i. e. without Law) Two Thouſand Years with Law, and Two Thouſand Years ſhall be the days of the Meſſiah. So that according to their own reckoning the Meſſiah muſt have been come above 1482 Years ago, and therefore theſe latter days, are not to be underſtood, at the End of the World, but the time when the Meſſiah was to come.

UPON this laſt quotation the Jewiſh Rabbins, argue thus, Altho' ſaid Sentence is ſo as I ſay, yet there are theſe words at the end of it, And for our great Sins there have paſſed from them all thoſe that have paſſed. Which words imply, (they ſay) that altho' the Meſſiah was to come at the beginning of the 5th thouſand, this was to be underſtood in caſe we were good, but not if we were great Sinners.

TO this I anſwer.

THAT theſe laſt Words which they pretend belong to the Sentence are forged and ſpurious, and were added to the Sentence, after they ſaw that our Lord Jeſus Chriſt was manifeſtly pointed forth by this Prediction, and becauſe be came at the time appointed by it, and they would not own him; with their conrupt affections towards Chriſtianity, made the … of theſe words to it, to cover with ſome colour the ſtiffneſs of their Necks. This I prove with two very probable reaſons.

Firſt, BECAUSE if we examine the Sentence … the beginning to the end, where they will have it fi…ſh'd, we ſhall find it is comp…s'd of two Language, the firſt from the beginning 'till where I ended is nothing but Jeruſalemitical Tongue, and the … part, i. e. that addition which they would have belong to it, is nothing … pure Hebrew phraſe, (ſuch as Mojes himſelf could hardly make better;) wherefore I … but think that they are forged words as I ſaid, becauſe in all the Jer…tane Talmud I do … p. 28member that any one Sentence is there expreſs'd in two different Tongues, i. e. Two thirds in one, and the reſt in another, as this would be if I grant to them what they falſely would have it be; and in caſe they ſhould charge me with want of Charity, for charging them with what I cannot prove fairly, i. e. with ſhowing them the Original. But upon Suſpicion only; I ſay

Secondly, THAT theſe words were Spurious & Forged. Becauſe if we examine the time & place, when this Sentence was ſaid, we ſhall find, that I do not wrong them, in charging them with falſifying of it. N. B.

THIS Prediction was ſaid at the Houſe or School of Elijab, who was a Rabby of that Name, that flouriſh'd according to the calculation of times, made by their own Authors, as we find in the Book called Sever Guolaum above 400 Years before Chriſt's coming, a little after the Building of the Second Temple, and in the City of Babel. Now how could the ſaid Sentence or Prediction be delivered with theſe words, and for our Sins, &c. at the end of it, ſo long as the time was not yet come? (much leſs paſs) and therefore we may certainly conclude, theſe words were added to the Sentence, altho' we can't produce the firſt Original.

NOW to avoid ſuch cenſures and reflections as commonly are made by Perſons upon thoſe that diſſent from them, I will quote one Paſſage more very remarkable, wherein any body may plainly diſcover, that according to the Traditions receaved among the Jewiſh Nation, a great many Hundred Years before Chriſt's coming, the Meſſiah was to come at the time He did, and not before or after. And I purpoſely deſign not to criticiſe upon ſaid Tradition, but only repeat it, and calculate the time.

THE Talmud Maſ…ech…t San…drin, Chap. 11. p. 98. ſays thus, Rabby Maiaui in the Name of Rabby … the Son of Rabby Dimeon ſaid, The Son of David (i. e. the p. 29Meſſiah) ſhall not come till the Power of the Judges and Officers ſhall be taken away from Iſrael, as it is written. Iſai. 1.26. And I will reſtore thy Judges as at the firſt. This Tradition we find exactly came to paſs at the time when our Lord and Saviour came.

THUS, the Jewiſh Nation did count in the 9th day of the laſt Month Ab, (i. e. 22d. of July) 1653 Years ſince the deſtruction of the Second Temple. And the Talmud Maſſ…ch…t Gnau…dau Zautau, Chap. 1. p. 8. ſays, That Forty Years before the Destruction of the Second Temple, the power of Judging was taken away from the Sann…rin. And in Luk. 3.23. 'tis ſaid, that Jeſus Chriſt was about Thirty Years of Age, i. e. at his Baptiſm, that being the time that God began to manifeſt his Power with the deſcending of the Holy Ghoſt upon Him. Now the Addition of theſe Three Periods of time makes the Sum of 1722 Years as we ſay, exactly with the allowing of a Year for the broken parts of the time, i. e. Chriſt not being Thirty Years compleat; but as the Verſe ſays. About Thirty Years: and in likelihood the power of the Sa…edrin did not depart from Iſrael immediately after the 40 Years were expired, but there abouts. And ſo we may very well conclude from the aforeſaid Quotations, that theſe words, in the last days are to be underſtood at the time when Chriſt c…me. And not at the end of the World, as the Modern Jewiſh Rabbies will have ….

TO the Seventh, That the Mountain of th… Lord's Houſe. i. e. the Mountain upon which the Houſe of the Lord was Built, is to grow Miraculouſly higher than all the Mountains and Hills in the World, at the Time of the Meſſiah, where they draw a Conſequence, that ſince this thing never happened, ergo, the Meſſiah is not come. I anſwer,

THAT although I have no mind to infring my Chriſtian Charity, yet I can't help for my Life but think they are turn'd Fools; becauſe how can any Body in the World (except he be deprived of common underſtanding) p. 30make ſuch an Argument as this is, and not only Argue but Believe that ever ſuch a thing would ever come to paſs! I am really aſhamed to Rehcarſe ſuch things from Men that are ſo might…y conceited of themſelves as the Modern Rabbins are, in that they ſhould be filled with ſuch notions as theſe, on purpoſe to maintain a Falſhood; and if they ſhould wait to be Converted, to the Meſſiah that is already come, or for the Meſſiah to come, till ſuch a thing ſhall come to paſs Litterally, I do verily believe that neither they, nor their Children after them till the Worlds end, will ever ſee that Day, and be Converted. (God forbid.)

BUT this Mountain is that very ſame Stone which was cut out without hands and became a great Mountain, ſpoken of in Daniel 2.34, 35. Thou ſaweſt till that a Stone was cut out without hands, which ſmote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the braſs, the ſilver and the gold broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the ſummer threſhing-floors, and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the ſtone that ſmote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. Which all Expoſitors (that I know of) Jews and Chriſtians, underſtand for the Meſſiah.

THIS Mountain, or this Chriſt is that very ſame which the Prophet ſpeaks of here, and ſays, that the Church (which is called the Houſe of the Lord) ſhall be built upon the Top of the Mountains, and exalted above the Hills, i. e. far above all Principality, and Power, and Might and Dominion, and every name, that is named not only in this world but alſo in that which is to come, Eph. 1.21.

THIS is the true meaning of this Place, and not that the Mountain ſhall raiſe up, as ſome of their Modern Rabbins ſay now, contrary to what p. 31their Predeceſſors ſaid in former days; Rabby David …imchi (although he was not one of the beſt affectioned to the Chriſtian Religion as its well known to all thoſe that are acquainted with his Writings,) as a Man of ſenſe, underſtood it otherwiſe. His Words are as following upon the 4th Chapter of Micah and the 1ſt Verſe, But in the last days it ſhall come to paſ…, that the mountain of the Lords houſe ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the mountain, and he ſhall be exalted, &c. the morning of being eſtabliſhed and enalted, is not that the mountains ſhall be higher (bodily) than it was before, but that the nations ſhall …alt him, and honour him, …nd come to worſhip the name of the Lord in it.

AND now ſince we ſaw this punctually ſulfill'd againſt all the oppoſitions that could be made in the Eſtabliſhment of Chriſt Church, let us conclude that the Meſſiah is already come, and that He is the only King and Soveraign of all Creatures, either Terreſtial or Caeleſtial whatſoever.

TO the Eighth Ar…ument, That becauſe all the nations of the World without Exception do not acknowledge the Meſſiah, according to thoſe Words, and all Nations ſhall …ow into it, therefore Christ is not the Meſſiah promiſed. I anſwer,

THAT although ſometimes the Particle Roll ſignifyeth All, nevertheleſs a great many times, ſignifyeth a Part of the Wh…le, and ſo Rabbin David Rimchi in his Book called, Sheraſhim in the Root Raulaul ſays the following Words, And ſometimes this Particle All denotes …rt of the whole, e.g. and all Countries came into Egypt to buy Corn, &c Gen. 41.57. And we cannot ſuppoſe that all the World of all the Countries came to Egypt to buy Corn, but ſome o… them only.

A Great many more inſtances I might bring, to prove my aſſertion, but becauſe I know the wiſe Men among p. 32them do own it, I ſhall wave it, concluding, that although in this Place the Prophet ſays, that All the nations ſhall flow into it; he means not All without Exception, as the Jewiſh Nation do ſuppoſe, but ſome only. And it is as much as if he had ſaid, and ſome of the Nations ſhall flow into it. But as to this Expoſition I expect they will argue thus.

Namely,

IT is true that the Word Roll ſometimes ſignifyeth a part of the whole as I ſaid, but ſince the ſame Word, ſometimes ſignifieth All, the meaning o… this Place is not to be underſtood as I ſaid, but as they ſay. And therefore, &c.

To this I anſwer,

THAT this Particle Roll in this Place, preciſely muſt be underſtood as I ſaid, and not as they ſay, becauſe when the Prophet Micah 4.1. Prophefieth this very ſame thing, He ſays the ſame that the Prophet Iſaiah does, except the Word Roll, all viz. And People ſhall flow into it; and not all the People to teach us, that not all the World ſhall ever come to the knowledge of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but ſome of each Nation only. This we ſee daily accompliſhed.

FOR altho' the Church hath increaſed into a great Multitude, and the Name of Jeſus Chriſt has been carry'd thro' the whole World, and a great many Nations are Converted from Paganiſm, and have bowed their knees to the Lord of Glory, i. e. ſubmitting their Obedience to His moſt holy Will and Pleaſure, yet according to Mr. Tavernier's Computation, L. 2. C. 8. p. 90. If we ſhould divide the People of the World into 30 Parts, we ſhould find that Chriſtians, (not Proteſtants only, but even of all ſorts of Sects and Perſwaſions) do make 5 Parts only, the Mahomitans 6, and the Heathens Idolaters 19. Which plainly ſhows, that although many be called few are choſen, becauſe ſtrait is the gate and narrow is the way; p. 33which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it. Let us then conclude theſe three Points with a Recapitulation of the True and Orthodox meaning of this Prophecy which is as follow,

AND it ſhall come to paſs in the Laſt days, i. e. in the days of the Meſſiah, that the Mountain of the Lord's Houſe, i. e. the Church of the Lord which is founded and establiſhed upon a Stone or a Rock, that was Cut out without hands and became a great mountain. Shall be eſtabliſhed in the Top of the Mountains and ſhall be exalted above the Hills, i. e. Flouriſh and increaſe, overcoming all oppoſitions againſt her. And all Nations ſhall flow unto it, i. e. Some Nations, or ſome of each Nation, a Remnant of each ſhall come and ſubmit themſelves to the Laws and Ordinances of Chriſt their Redeemer.

THE 9th, and Laſt Argument they bring to prove the Meſſiah is yet to come, is, That Chriſt at his coming ſhall not abrogate any thing of the Law of Moſes, but the ſaid Law (not only the Moral, but even the Ceremonial) ſhall be kept to the World's end. And ſince we ſee that by the coming of your Chriſt not only all the Ceremonial part is aboliſhed, but even ſome of the Moral alſo (as the keeping of the Sabbath) ergo He is not the true Meſſiah promiſed by the Prophets. This fond opinion they ground upon the 20th, 21ſt Verſes of the 59th Chap. of Iſaiah, which runs thus, And the Redeemer ſhall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from Tranſgreſſion in Jacob ſays the Lord. As for me this is my Covenant with them ſays the Lord, my Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, not out of the mouth of thy ſeed, nor cut of the mouth of thy ſeeds ſeed, ſays the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.

TO this I anſwer,

Firſt, IF we underſtand this Prophecy Literally, it p. 34ſpeaks nothing concerning the Meſſiah, but only of the Redeemer that was to deliver them from the Captivity of Babylon, and Cyrus King of Perſia, is queſtionleſs, the Redeemer here intended, as we read, Ezr. 1.1.

BUT 2dly, If we underſtand this Place Typically, I am prompt to think it makes more for our ſide than for theirs: and the Covenant here mentioned, is the very ſame that the Prophet (Jer. 21.31, 32, 33.) ſpeaks of. And this new Covenant that the Meſſiah was to eſtabliſh at his coming, is that which the Prophet Iſaiah ſays in this Place, ſhall not depart from the Church, which is that very ſeed ſpoken of, in Chap. 53.10. He (Chriſt) ſhall ſee his ſeed, he ſhall proloug his days, and the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hand. And ſince this was to be a Law, and a Covenant (which Words are in the Old Teſtament Synonymous Terms, as we Read, that the very Decalogue which is called a Law, in Deut. 4.44. is called a Covenant in Exod. 34.28.) made with Chriſt's People according to his Holy Will and Pleaſure, the expreſſions are with the Affixy of the 2 P. M. S. i. e. My Spirit that is upon thee, that is upon Chriſt, and it is as much as if it had been plainly ſaid, that the Word and Spirit ſhould never depart from him, nor from his holy Seed after Him, but ſhould continue for ever till the end of the World, and that the Old Covenant made with them in Moſes's time ſhould be aboliſhed, as the Apoſtle to the Heb. 8.13. obſerves, when he ſays,—And in that he ſaith a New Covenant, be hath made the firſt old, now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vaniſh away. This is the True and Genuine meaning of theſe Propheſies, and not (as they falſly ſuppoſe) i. e. that the Meſſiah ſhould not abrogate the Law of Moſes. This is not our opinion only, but even their own Authors and Expoſitors underſtood it ſo alſo. And becauſe I am not willing to be too Proli…e, as I could it I had a mind to explain, Iſa. 42.7. & 49.9. and I know that a quotation of one of their Rabbins (to p. 35the moſt part of them,) is of more Authority than the written Word, I will alledge one, of ſundry that I could, and then conclude.

IN that Ancient and famous Book of theirs called … upon the laſt Word of the 11. Chap. of Eccl. are the following words, Vanity, the Law which a man learns in this World (i. e. before the coming of the Meſſiah) is vanity, in compariſon of the Meſſiah's Law. This ſentence plainly ſhows Two very remarkable things, 1ſt, That there ſhould be Two Laws, one before Chriſt's coming; and another after. And 2dly, That the Law before His coming is nothing but a meer …hadow and vanity in compariſon of the Law, that was to be in the Church of God after his coming; and this is the very ſame thing that the great Apoſtle Paul ſaith to the Col. 2.16, 17. Let no man therefore judge you, in meals or in drink, or in reſpect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the ſabbath days, which are a SHADOW of things to come, but the body is of Chriſt.

AS for the other part of the Argument, in which they ſuppoſe that ſince Chriſt's coming the 4th Commandment is aboliſhed, I ſhan't meddle with it at this time, becauſe (beſides that it has been anſwered by ſundry Learned Divines at large before now) it would take me a great deal of time, in handling of it, with all the Branches belonging thereunto.

THEREFORE ſince I have anſwered in full and as ſhort as I could, the principal Arguments that I can remember the Jewiſh Nation do bring to In…date the Veracity of our Chriſtian Religion. Let us draw to a Concluſion ſaying with the Pſalmiſt, I believed therefore have I ſpoken, I was greatly aff…ted. It is the Opinion of the beſt Expoſitors, that King David in compoſing this Pſalm, aimed not only a Solemn Thankſgiving to God for his Great and Glorious deliverance from grievous and dangerous Calamities that he had been under, but alſo from great Perplexities p. 36and Terrors of Mind, ariſing upon him from the deep ſenſe of God's diſpleaſure towards Unbelievers. Now it ſeems to me that this Godly King having with ſerious Conſideration pondered the great and manifold Goodneſs of God towards Sinners from the beginning, in finding out a way to deliver them from the Wrath which was to come, i. e. in ſending in the fulneſs of time, His Only Dear and Beloved Son into this World, out of his own Loyns, according to the Fleſh, not only to ſuffer, but even to dye for their Sins and Tranſgreſſions, on purpoſe to reconcile the World of Mankind to God, I ſay after the Meditaion of God's Love, and likewiſe the poor and miſerable Condition of Unbelievers in General, and of the Jewiſh Nation in particular, he broke forth with theſe notable Words, I believed therefore have I ſpoken, I was greatly Afflicted. If ſo let us Believe and be fully perſwaded that Jeſus Christ of Nazereth is the only Son of the Living God, and the True and only Meſſiah Propheſied of by the Prophets from the beginning, who came in the fulneſs of time, according to the Promiſes for the Salvation of all thoſe Sinners that Believe in him, that he Dyed and Suffered for our Sins, and Roſe for our Juſtification, and is ſet down at the Right hand of God the Father, making Interceſſion for us, from whence he ſhall come to Judge the Quick and the Dead. If you with Sincerity Believe this, which I do Solemnly Declare and Profeſs (before God, His Holy Angels, and all this Congregation) to be my only Belief i… which I Hope to be Saved; Then we have a ſure foundation, and an Everlaſting Baſis that can never be moved, and Living according to this Belief, i. e. Obeying Christ's Laws and Ordinances, which I Purpoſely do deſign with GOD's Help to follow from Fenceforth, we may be ſure to obtain thro' God's Free Grace the Everlaſting Life in the World which is to come, World without End.

AMEN.

THE Whole Truth: BEING A Short ESSAY, WHEREIN The Author diſcovers what may be the true Reaſon why the JEWISH NATION Are not as yet converted to CHRISTIANITY, Beſides what others have ſaid before him. AND LIKEWISE, He proves the DIVINITY of CHRIST, not only with the Authority of the ſacred Oracles, but even by the Opinion of the Jewiſh Author's of old; and anſwers all the Objections that the Diſcourſe brings forth out of Iſai. 9.6, 7. Concluding with a Word of EXHORTATION.

By R. Judah Monis.

BOSTON: Printed for Daniel Henchman, and ſold at his Shop. 1722.