A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

We have a more sure Word.] I come to the third Circumstance, the Persons to whom these Prophecies were committed: the Apostle joining himself with the Jews; We have. The Jews might well attend to the word of Prophecy, for they Had it. They had many privileges, but this was the chiefest, Rom. 3.2. What advantage hath the Jew? or what profit is there of Circumcision? Much every way: but chiefly, because unto them were committed the oracles of God They had the Patriarchs, the Sacraments, the Sacrifices, the Promise of the Messiah; but Chiefly the oracles, as comprehending all the rest, Act. 7.38. Moses received the lively oracles, to give unto us. He received oracula viva, the lively oracles: to what purpose? To give unto us; we have them. They were not Alienae rei deposita, but their own proper treasure. And indeed they were faithful keepers of them, preserving them from falsity and corruption: and to this day servant, etsi non observant; they keep them in custody, though they keep them not in obedience. Therefore in our Saviours days, when many corruptions both of life and doctrine were objected against them; yet they were not charged to be falsifiers of the Scripture. Therefore well might the Apostle say, We have them: for to them pertain the Covenants, ¹Ro. 9.4. To them it was credited, to them it pertained, they had it, they kept it, and from them we receive it. Lex è Zion: Out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. ²So Christ himself testified; Salvation is of the Jews. This was Pauls Farewell to them, able to have melted their hearts, who had been keepers of that sacred Word of so many hundred years.³ It was necessary that the Word of God should first be spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge your selves unworthy of everlasting life: Lo we turn to the Gentiles.

We have a more sure Word.] I come to the third Circumstance, the Persons to whom these Prophecies were committed: the Apostle joyning himselfe with the Iews; We have. The Iewes might well attend to the word of Prophecie, for they Had it. They had many privileges, but this was the chiefest,